Susan E. Brune

Susan has been consistently recognized for excellence in the practice of law. Chambers USA cites her "extraordinary ability." According to Chambers USA, she commands respect for her outstanding credentials in defending high-stakes government enforcement, with sources reporting: "She is one of the stars of her generation, hands-down one of the best in the city. She has the ability to take a case through trial, which gives her tremendous leverage and credibility in the pretrial phase."

Susan has repeatedly warded off indictment and regulatory charges through sound strategic choices, meticulous preparation and forceful advocacy. When cases are brought, she is equally effective. A seasoned trial lawyer, she achieved a complete victory for a private equity investor in an enforcement case in the SEC's administrative forum. She also obtained the acquittal of a Bear Stearns hedge fund manager in a federal jury trial.

In 2010, the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers conferred upon her the Hon. Thurgood S. Marshall Award for Outstanding Criminal Practitioner, an award conferred annually on one practitioner in New York.

After leaving the U.S. Attorney’s Office and before founding Brune Law P.C., Susan founded and for 18 years led Brune & Richard LLP, a firm that The New York Times described as “a top-flight New York litigation boutique.”

Representative matters:

Defense of an investment firm president in an SEC case relating to the financial crisis;
Defense of an investment representative in multiple tax-related civil cases and arbitrations;
Representation of a special litigation committee of a Fortune 500 company in a shareholders' derivative suit;
Defense of a chief accounting officer in criminal and civil stock options backdating matters;
Representation of a future claimants' representative in a large-scale asbestos bankruptcy and bankruptcy trust;
Representation of pharmaceutical company employees in a health care fraud investigation;
Defense of securities firm executives and brokers in SEC and NYSE investigative and enforcement matters relating to mutual fund market timing and late trading;
Defense of an NYSE specialist in an enforcement action; and
Defense of a law firm partner in a civil suit alleging breach of fiduciary duty.

In addition, Ms. Brune has often served as a court-appointed SEC receiver and as a monitor. Over the years, she has served as receiver for, among other entities, a broker-dealer, a hedge fund, trading entities, a disgorgement fund and an entertainment company. She has served as an outside monitor for a large seafood concern and for an electrical contractor.While an Assistant United States Attorney, she prosecuted numerous white collar matters, including significant fraud, public corruption, embezzlement and healthcare fraud cases.