Sarmad M. Khojasteh’s practice focuses on complex commercial litigation in state and federal courts. He handles a broad range of commercial and contract disputes, corporate governance matters, securities litigation and governmental investigations. Sarmad has been recognized as a “Rising Star” in the 2014 edition of New York Metro Super Lawyers.
Notable Representations
Successful representation of financial institution in investigation by the SEC into allegations of insider trading.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”), as conservator for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, in actions in federal and state courts against numerous financial institutions arising out of defendants’ misrepresentations concerning residential mortgage-backed securities sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In 2014, after completing discovery, prevailing on several critical pre-trial rulings and setting the case for trial, FHFA settled its action against Morgan Stanley for $1.25 billion.
Successful bench trial in federal court on behalf of an individual lender against a real estate developer, resulting in an award of approximately $13 million.
MBIA, the world's largest bond insurer, in multiple federal and state court actions brought by 19 of the world’s largest financial institutions, bondholders and a putative nationwide class represented by several hedge funds – all challenging MBIA’s $5 billion restructuring of its structured finance and municipal bond insurance businesses. On March 4, 2013, following a highly-publicized four-week hearing, New York State Supreme Court Justice Barbara R. Kapnick issued a decision upholding the approval of MBIA’s restructuring by the New York Department of Financial Services in every respect. In May 2013, MBIA reached settlements with Bank of America and Société Générale S.A., the only remaining bank plaintiffs challenging MBIA’s restructuring.
Prior to joining the firm, Sarmad served as a law clerk to the Hon. Terrence W. Boyle of the Eastern District of North Carolina (2008-2009), and practiced at a global law firm where he advised clients on leveraged buy-out transactions, initial public offerings, and debt financings.
