George Kostolampros
Securities Enforcement and Investigations
George has represented clients in SEC investigations and litigations involving accounting fraud, insider trading, market manipulation, and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) violations. Notably, he represented clients in an SEC litigation that resulted in the Court of Appeals vacating the underlying SEC administrative proceeding, leading the SEC to dismiss all claims against the individual respondents.
Securities and Shareholder Litigation
In addition to his enforcement practice, George represents companies, officers, and directors in securities class actions, derivative suits, and other shareholder disputes. He has successfully defended clients in cases involving allegations of securities fraud, disclosure violations, and breaches of fiduciary duty.
Internal Investigations
George has led numerous internal investigations on behalf of audit committees of public companies, nonprofit organizations, and international institutions. These investigations often arise from whistleblower allegations involving highly sensitive issues, such as financial reporting, internal controls, conflicts of interest, and potential misconduct by senior executives. His experience allows him to handle these matters with discretion, independence, and credibility, providing boards and management with clear, balanced findings and insightful recommendations.
White Collar Defense
George represents companies and individuals in criminal investigations involving the securities laws, including matters related to accounting fraud, insider trading, and FCPA violations. He draws on his prior SEC enforcement experience to anticipate government strategies and coordinate parallel civil and criminal proceedings effectively, achieving successful outcomes in investigations with significant reputational and financial exposure.
Compliance and Advisory Practice
George regularly counsels public companies, financial institutions, and individuals on corporate governance, internal controls, and compliance programs in relation to securities and anti-corruption laws.
Experience
Government Experience
- Senior counsel, Securities and Exchange Commission, Division of Enforcement
Representative Matters
- Represented an investment advisor and its partners in an SEC enforcement administrative proceeding in which novel constitutional issues were raised that led to the D.C. Circuit vacating the administrative proceeding and ultimately to a settlement in which all charges against the partners were dismissed and a books and records settlement with the advisor entity. Timbervest LLC, et al. v. SEC, 15-1416 (D.C. Cir.)
- Represented the CFO of a publicly traded company with sales of more than $1 billion in an SEC investigation into allegations of accounting improprieties and earnings management; led to no enforcement action against the client after Wells submission
- Represented an Am Law 100 firm in an SEC investigation of the firm’s former client; SEC ultimately brought an action against the firm’s former client, alleging that the firm and its president devised a fraud and Ponzi scheme; no action was brought against the client
- Represented former controller of StarMedia, Inc. in an SEC enforcement action brought in the Southern District of New York relating to alleged misstatements regarding revenue recognition. SEC v. Espuelas, et al., 06-civ-2345 (SDNY)
- Represented the CFO of a publicly traded company in an SEC enforcement proceeding related to SOX Section 304 clawback
- Represented the CAO of a publicly traded company in an internal investigation and SEC investigation into earnings management; led to no action being brought against the client
- Represented the audit committee of a publicly traded company in an internal investigation into whether company officers misstated the company’s financials and disclosures regarding the value of assets (initially valued at more than $1 billion); presented findings to the special committee, auditors, and the SEC
- Represented a national stock exchange in a class action filed in the Southern District of New York relating to high-frequency trading; complaint was dismissed, and the dismissal was affirmed by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals
- Represented an investment bank with operations overseas, in an FCPA review and enhancement of policy and procedures
- Served as a member of a team representing a multinational corporation in a DOJ and SEC FCPA investigation
- Conducted FCPA M&A and third-party due diligence reviews
- Represented clients in a CFTC and SEC investigation into the marketing of binary options trading; led to clients receiving cooperation credit by both agencies
- Represented a foreign national and his company in a criminal proceeding alleging that the client conspired to export aircraft parts to Iran, in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and Iranian Transaction Regulations
- Represented clients in forfeiture proceedings as third-party claimants
- Represented clients in FINRA investigations and proceedings
- Represented clients in numerous investigations conducted by state securities regulators, including in New York, Massachusetts, California, New Hampshire, and Maryland
Insights
Credentials
Education
- J.D. magna cum laude Widener University School of Law 1999
- Executive managing editor, Widener Law Journal
- President's Award
- B.A. Syracuse University 1996
Bar Admissions
- District of Columbia
- New York
Court Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Recognition
- The Best Lawyers in America, 2019 – 2023
- Securities Docket, Enforcement Elite, 2024 – 2025