Geoffrey M. Cahen is a securities, commercial and trusts/estates litigator who focuses his practice on representing businesses and individuals. He regularly appears in state and federal courts, as well as arbitration tribunals. Prior to joining Greenberg Traurig, Geoffrey was a litigation associate at a large firm in New York City, New York.
Areas of Concentration
· Litigation
· Arbitration and dispute resolution
Significant Representations
· Defends real estate developers in condominium rescission matters. E.g., Pilato v. The Edge Investors, LP, 609 F. Supp. 2d 1301 (S.D. Fla. 2009); Rosenstein v. The Edge Investors, LP, NO. 07-80903CIV-MIDDLEBR, 2009 WL 903806 (S.D. Fla. Mar. 30, 2009 ); Pellegrino v. Koeckritz Dev. Of Boca Raton, LLC, NO. 08-80164-CIV-MARRA, 2008 WL 6128748 (S.D.Fla. July 10, 2008).
· Defends broker-dealers and their registered representatives in securities arbitrations before FINRA. These arbitrations typically involve allegations of unsuitable investments, securities fraud, unauthorized trading, breach of fiduciary duties and churning. E.g., Barbosa, et al. v. UBS Fin. Services, Inc., et al., 07-02776, 2008 WL 3318777 (FINRA Jul. 22, 2008).
· Represents broker-dealer in securities fraud matter involving failed reverse merger. Sierra Equity Group, Inc. v. White Oak Partners, LLC, NO. 08-80017-CIV, 2009 WL 901500 (S.D.Fla. Mar. 30, 2009).
· Prosecutes construction defect litigation on behalf of property owners.
· Defended seller of machinery against allegations of breach of contract and fraud.
· Advises various entities concerning real estate disputes.
· Defended association in housing discrimination case brought by a guest of a homeowner. See Regnier v. Briny Breezes, Inc., (No. 50 2008 CA 024877 XXXX MB (AO), 2009 WL 1498640 (Fla.Cir.Ct. May 29, 2009).
· Represented largest shareholder in numerous related disputes concerning ownership and corporate malfeasance involving a family-owned construction business.
· Defended largest shareholder of construction business in lawsuit pertaining to his right to profits from the business.
· Defended personal representative of estate worth approximately $18 million in related actions seeking removal of personal representative, revocation of probate and other relief concerning ancillary trusts.
· Represented beneficiary of trust containing significant assets in action for trust construction and removal of trustee.
· Represented financial institution against tortious interference claims by investment group that alleged it possessed contract to buy another bank ultimately acquired by our financial institution client. See Marquez v. PanAmerican Bank, 943 So. 2d 284 (Fla. 3d DCA 2006).
· Defended luxury yacht manufacturer in products liability matter originating from destruction of a vessel due to fire.
· Advised Special Litigation Committee to large pharmaceutical company named in numerous lawsuits alleging breach of fiduciary duty claims involving purported insider trading.
· Advised and defended numerous hedge funds in SEC enforcement proceedings involving allegations of late trading and cloning of accounts.
· Assisted in defense of Fortune 500 chemical company in 10b-5 case stemming from accounting fraud.
· Participated in representation of partners in arbitration concerning dissolution of partnership and disposition of over $100 million in real estate assets.
· Represented individuals in lawsuit alleging securities fraud in connection with misrepresentations made in purchase of horse racing operation.
· Represented investment banking client in breach of engagement agreement and appeal thereof.
· Wrote briefs and argued petition for review on behalf of mentally disabled individual before U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. See Hodges v. U.S. Railroad Retirement Bd., 83 Fed. Appx. 388, 2003 WL 23015102 (2d Cir. Dec. 18, 2003).
Professional & Community Involvement
· Member, Florida Bar Referral Service Committee
· Member, Board of Directors, Levis JCC
· Member, Anti-Defamation League's Civil Rights Committee
Awards & Recognition
· Selected by Super Lawyers magazine as a Rising Star, 2010 and 2011
(Also at Boca Raton Office)