Advisen Presents: Security Litigation: First Quarter Analyses

With 169 securities lawsuits filed in the first quarter, 2009 is trending higher than 2008. Filings were up for securities class action, breach of fiduciary duties suits and cases filed in courts outside of the United States. For suits alleging securities fraud, filings were flat in the first quarter, but large settlements and awards occurred, underscoring the significance of these cases. Suits filed against financial firms dominated the scene, with Madoff-related suits leading the way.