Neil Austin's litigation practice is built on a strong foundation of state and federal trial experience, with particular emphasis on securities, intellectual property and general commercial disputes. He regularly advises clients in connection with investigations by the Federal Trade Commission, the Securities and Exchange Commission, states attorneys general and other government regulators. In addition, Neil maintains an active trial schedule, having tried, arbitrated and mediated cases for corporate and individual clients on issues ranging from international commercial disputes to alleged business torts.
Neil's recent experience includes representing a public company in an investigation by the Federal Trade Commission concerning substantiation of advertising claims; reviewing national advertising campaigns for compliance with applicable state and federal laws; defending a major publicly-traded company in an investigation conducted by a committee of the U.S. Senate; securing a lucrative settlement on behalf of local advertising agency as the jury deliberated its breach of contract claims against a former client; and successfully representing an international procurement company in two federal trials on commercial contract claims. He has also defended corporations and individuals in criminal and civil investigations related to alleged insider trading, manipulation of stock option grants, and market timing and late trading of mutual funds.
In addition to his litigation practice, Neil maintains an active pro bono practice focused on immigration law issues. He has helped numerous immigrants obtain legal status through the Boston Immigration Court and, as part of his representation of a Boston-based legal services organization, successfully challenged the federal government's erroneous interpretation of a key provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Before entering law school, Neil gained useful commercial litigation skills by working as a research associate at Princeton Economics Group, where he provided economic research and data analysis for clients involved in antitrust, securities and general commercial litigation.
Representative Experience
The following is a brief summary of Neil's experience and accomplishments:
· Represents international pension funds in disputes with investment management firms over alleged breaches of fiduciary duty
· Represents manufacturer of surgical products in trade libel suit brought by former distributor
· Represented software company in internal and SEC investigations regarding timing of stock option grants
· Represented international auditing firm in mediation of federal securities claims
· Represented bank officer in U.S. Attorney's Office investigation of insider trading
· Achieved swift dismissal of plaintiff's claims in federal False Claims Act lawsuit on behalf of local defense contractor falsely accused of defrauding the federal government and retaliating against the purported whistleblower
Professional / Civic Involvement
· Co-Chair of the Pro Bono Committee of the Boston Bar Association's Business Law Section (current)
· Member of the Boston Bar Association's Public Interest Leadership Program (2009-2010)
· Recipient of PAIR Project, Inc.'s Detention Attorney Award (2008)
· Recognized by the Supreme Judicial Court for pro bono representation of immigrant detainees (2007)
· American Bar Association, Member
· Massachusetts Bar Association, Member
· Boston Bar Association, Member
Honors/Awards
Recognized by the Political Asylum/Immigration Representation Project (PAIR) for pro bono work, 2008
Edward F. Hennessey Distinguished Scholar, Boston University School of Law, 2003
Recipient of Dean's Award for Securities Regulations, Boston University School of Law, 2003
Recipient of Dean's Award for Criminal Procedure, Boston University School of Law, 2003