Greenberg Traurig has expanded its securities litigation practice with the addition of shareholder John O. Lukanski to the Florham Park office, according to an announcement by the firm. He joins the firm from Reed Smith, where he was a partner and led the firm’s broker-dealer and investment adviser practice.

“Welcoming John, and talented lawyers like him, is an important part of our plan for strategic growth in New Jersey,” said David Jay and David W. Oppenheim, co-managing shareholders of the firm’s New Jersey office, in a joint statement. “We are certain that John’s ability to advocate for clients in complex and challenging securities litigation and internal and regulatory investigations, will greatly assist us as we strive continually to serve them at the highest level.”

Lukanski has managed a wide range of matters, including internal reviews, regulatory investigations by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and state regulators, complex FINRA Rule 4530 and U4/U5 disclosure issues, and litigation and arbitration proceedings.

His work covers a spectrum of issues including fraud related matters, supervision, review and retention of electronic communications, manipulative order entry activity, unauthorized trading, and Ponzi schemes. He also works on cases involving sales practices, structured products, gifts and entertainment issues, variable annuities, fee-based accounts, and ETF, UITs, and options trading.

“John’s extensive experience and ability to work nationwide and on a variety of complex matters will be of tremendous value to our clients and deep bench of highly sophisticated securities litigators,” added William D. Briendel and Tracy L. Gerber, co-chairs of the firm’s securities litigation practice. “His commitment to exemplary client service fits perfectly with ours.”

“Greenberg Traurig’s stellar reputation in the broker-dealer and securities litigation spaces, the firm’s impressive client list, and depth and breadth of impressive litigators and regulatory lawyers, made joining an easy decision to make,” Lukanski said.

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William Burnett of Flaster Greenberg. Courtesy photo