Mark A. Strauss

Mark A. Strauss is a partner in our New York office. He represents whistleblowers in qui tam cases under the False Claims Act, and defrauded investors, bilked consumers and other victims of corporate and financial wrongdoing in class actions and arbitrations throughout the country. Mr. Strauss has experience litigating under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), and the securities, antitrust and consumer protection laws. His practice also includes litigating FINRA securities arbitrations against large firms on Wall Street. Cases litigated by Mr. Strauss have resulted in recoveries for aggrieved plaintiffs totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.

Some of Mr. Strauss's work includes:

■ United States Ex rel Dickhudt v. Winds Enters. (W.D. Wash.). Represented whistleblower in qui tam case against Chinese apparel manufacturer for evasion of U.S. import duties through use of false customs declarations and phony invoices. Client received award of 20% of $1.5 million settlement recovered for taxpayers.

■ United States ex rel Karlin v. Noble Jewelry Co. (S.D.N.Y.). Represented whistleblower in qui tam action against Chinese manufacturer for misclassification of goods under U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (the HTSA) and underpayment of import duties. Client received award of 19% of $3.85 million settlement recovered for taxpayers.

■ Rothstein v. GMAC Mortg. (Bankr. S.D.N.Y). Represented residential mortgage borrowers in class action for violations of RICO in connection with kickback scheme that resulted in overcharges for force-placed insurance. Case resulted in $13 million settlement. Firm served as Class Counsel.

■ Parker v. AHMSI Ins. Agency (S.D. Fla.). Represent mortgage borrowers in class action for violations of RICO in connection with undisclosed rebate scheme and overcharges for lender-placed insurance. Firm is serving as Lead Counsel.

■ In re Citigroup Inc. Securities Litig. (S.D.N.Y.). Represented investors in securities class action relating to bank's exposure to Collateralized Debt Obligations (CDOs) containing toxic mortgage-backed securities. Case resulted in $590 million settlement. Firm served as Lead Counsel.

■ In re Adelphia Commc'n Corp. Securities Litig. (S.D.N.Y.). Represented shareholders in securities class action involving improper self-dealing by corporate insiders and billions of dollars in undisclosed liabilities. Case resulted in $460 million in settlements. Firm served as Co-Lead Counsel.

■ Represented municipal issuers of Auction Rate Securities (ARS) in Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitrations alleging misrepresentations and market manipulation by underwriters.

■ Lapin v. Goldman Sachs Grp., Inc. (S.D.N.Y.). Represented investors in securities class action relating to misstatements regarding objectivity and independence of bank's investment research. Case resulted in $29 million settlement. Firm served as Co-Lead Counsel.

■ Argent Classic v. Amazon.com (W.D. Wash). Represented bondholders in securities class action relating to misrepresentations in offering materials regarding fees received from partners. Case resulted in $20 million settlement. Firm served as Lead Counsel.

■ Serino v. Lipper (Sup. Ct. N.Y. Co.) and Cromer Fin. v. Berger (S.D.N.Y.). Represented investors in fraud class actions relating to collapsed hedge funds. Cases resulted in settlements of $29.9 million and $65 million. Firm served as Class Counsel and Co-Lead Counsel.

■ John Hancock Life v. Goldman Sachs & Co. (D. Mass). Represented bondholders in securities class action relating to misleading statements regarding extent of fiberglass manufacturer's asbestos liabilities. Case resulted in $19.25 million settlement. Firm served as Co-Lead Counsel.

Prior to joining KM, Mr. Strauss practiced at Christy & Viener LLP and Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP where he defended corporate clients in complex litigation and class actions.