Civil Prosecution Committee

The Civil Prosecution Committee is focused on the dynamic and increasingly important legal practice area involving the civil prosecution of commercial fraud. Evolving areas of interest include (i) the increasing importance of whistleblowers and whistleblower incentives in the recovery of ill-gotten gains lost to government programs and financial market fraud (e.g., federal and state false claims acts, whistleblower reward programs under the SEC, CFTC, and IRS), (ii) the utilization of Monitors and Independent Private Sector Inspectors General in the resolution of criminal actions and as an adjunct to government oversight of public contracts, and (iii) utilizing the Civil Rico Statute as an agent of industry-wide structural reform. This are of law impacts both public and private sector practitioners, including prosecutors, plaintiffs’ attorneys, defense attorneys, and corporate counsel.

The mission of the Civil Prosecution Committee is to educate New York State Bar Association members about developments in this practice area, to develop and propose innovative approaches and legislation, and to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and the development of professional contacts. The Committee serves its mission by publicly addressing matters of interest to the membership, developing Continuing Legal Education and other programs relevant to the civil prosecution practice area, holding periodic meetings, and working with other committees and sections on issues of mutual interest.

Committee Activities

• The Civil Prosecution Committee is considering sponsoring a pro bono program to assist claimants with filing claims with the Lawyer’s Fund for Client Protection.