ISAAC GREANEY is a partner in Sidley's New York litigation group. Since joining the firm in 2004, Isaac has focused his practice on complex commercial litigation, with a concentration in the area of securities litigation, and the defense of securities enforcement investigations. He has represented financial institutions, corporations and officers and directors in litigation involving violations of the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Trust Administration Act, as well as in investigations by the SEC, DOJ, FINRA, CFTC, FERC and various state attorneys general. Isaac also advises clients in litigation related to mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, lender-debtor relationships, and a variety of other sophisticated commercial and contractual relationships.

Recent representative engagements include:

Representation of a major financial institution in consolidated putative class actions pending in the SDNY alleging violations of the Trust Indenture Act and breaches of contract arising from the institution’s role as Indenture Trustee for dozens of RMBS transactions.
Representation of a major international investment bank in SEC, DOJ, FINRA, state attorneys general and other multi-year investigations into creation and underwriting of mortgage-backed securities during the Financial Crisis.
Representation of eight different hedge fund advisors in SEC investigations over alleged insider trading through expert networks, the spreading of false market rumors, short selling of securities tied to financial institutions.
Representation of SMART Technologies Inc. and its officers and directors in cross-border (U.S. and Canada) putative class actions filed in the SDNY alleging violations of the securities laws arising from the company’s initial public offering. (Motions to dismiss granted in part in 2012 and Class Certification modified and narrowed in 2013.)
Representation of a major financial institution in an expedited litigation and bench trial in the SDNY involving a dispute over an issuer’s rights to redeem publicly-traded corporate bonds from investors.
Representation of an Independent Fiduciary in a breach of contract matter pending in the Delaware Chancery Court, involving the exercise price of a call option in the shares of an automotive manufacturer.

Throughout his career, Isaac has helped clients navigate through complex and high profile litigation and regulatory matters presenting significant potential exposure. Since early 2007, Isaac has advised clients regarding the Financial Crisis, including representing clients in litigation arising from the issuance of mortgage backed securities, high profile government and internal investigations involving residential mortgages, market rumors, short sales of financial institution’s equity and credit default swaps, and a wide range of disputes arising from distressed commercial properties. Prior to joining Sidley, Isaac represented clients in disputes arising out of the bursting of the dotcom bubble, the collapse of Enron and WorldCom, and the destruction of the World Trade Center towers.

Mr. Greaney served as a law clerk to the Honorable Thomas J. Meskill of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 2000-01.