Luke Cadigan is head of business litigation for the east coast and an experienced trial attorney. He concentrates his practice on securities enforcement matters, shareholder disputes and actions, complex commercial litigation, internal investigations, and advice on regulatory compliance.
Luke is a former assistant director in the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Enforcement Division, serving in both the Boston regional office and in the SEC's Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) unit. He managed investigations conducted by staff attorneys and accountants including matters related to accounting fraud, offering fraud, insider trading, whistleblower complaints, investment advisers and broker- dealers. Luke also oversaw investigations into potential FCPA violations and, serving as a member of the agency's Cross Border Working Group, he supervised investigations into the accounting practices of Chinese and other foreign companies trading on US markets. Luke has been recognized by Chambers USA where a client stated that Luke is a "fantastic lawyer who is very familiar with the law and the SEC's enforcement practices."
Prior to becoming an assistant director, Luke spent 7+ years as SEC senior trial counsel, in which role he investigated and litigated dozens of high-profile matters. As lead counsel, he also successfully tried several complex matters, both in federal court and in the SEC's administrative forum. These matters include allegations of insider trading by a hedge fund employee, accounting fraud, insider trading by a director, a pay-to-play scheme by a former state senate majority leader, fraud by an investment adviser, and fraud by a broker-dealer (resulting in then the largest penalty awarded in a SEC administrative proceeding). He was a recipient of the Chairman's Award for Excellence in 2002 and 2007, and the Division of Enforcement Director's Award in 2007 and 2008.
Luke served as law clerk for the Honorable Edward F. Harrington of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts and as a special assistant district attorney in Middlesex County.