OUR TEAM

Christopher T. Wheatley

Associate

New York, NY
156 West 56th Street
New York, NY 10019
P 212.237.1122 F 212.262.1215
 P 212.237.1122 F 212.262.1215
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Experience

Chris Wheatley represents individuals, leading financial institutions, and Fortune 500 corporations in securities litigation matters and complex business disputes. He also has extensive experience with regulatory enforcement matters (including securities fraud, Bank Secrecy Act, FCPA, Anti-Kickback Statute, and False Claims Act); large scale internal investigations; and a variety of intellectual property matters (including copyright and trademark litigation, and trademark prosecution).

He is a member of the team that currently represents the SIPA Trustee for the liquidation of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC and the Chapter 7 Trustee of Bernard L. Madoff in connection with the recovery of assets for creditors of Madoff's Ponzi scheme.

Chris' representative matters of note prior to Windels Marx include:

  • Represented U.S. accounting executive in parallel Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Department of Justice (DOJ) investigations of violations of Securities Laws allegedly arising from revenue fraud. Strategized and managed case pre-trial, including negotiation of discovery requests, and identification and depositions of witnesses.
  • Represented large U.S. bank in DOJ investigation of Bank Secrecy Act violations. Managed large data sets relevant to bank’s anti-money laundering (AML) compliance program and specific failure to submit Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) to FinCEN, and developed strategy for settlement.
  • Represented employee of hedge fund in parallel SEC-DOJ investigation of violations of anti-bribery provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and anti-fraud provisions of the Investment Advisers Act.
  • Represented bank employees in over forty separate FINRA investigations. Met with clients, did factual research, prepared written presentations, and negotiated favorable resolutions.
  • Represented software company in internal investigation concerning suspected employee misconduct. Conducted factual analysis exposing fraud and achieved favorable settlement.
  • Represented large East Asian corporation in ICC arbitration involving breach of contract and fraud claims against seller of solar technology. Oversaw large document review involving complex chemical engineering process documentation. Led efforts to develop expert witness statement concerning niche chemistry and manufacturing technologies, and prepared expert witness for examination. Second-chaired two-day hearing in Singapore. Panel awarded client full amount claimed.
  • Represented former New York City executive in NYS Offices of Inspector General and NYC Conflicts of Interest Board investigation. Developed defense strategy, drafted key brief, and achieved favorable settlement.
  • Pro bono: Represented domestic abuse survivor. Carefully and sensitively conducted interviews and prepared petition that secured client’s work authorization and “U nonimmigrant” status.

Prior to joining the firm, Chris was a litigation associate at a prominent boutique litigation law firm for more than a decade. Prior to that, he practiced at Ropes & Gray LLP.

Recognition

  • Nominated to New York Metro Super Lawyers - Rising Stars in the category of General Litigation (2014 to 2019)

Memberships

  • New York City Bar Association

Academia

  • Associate Editor - Washington University Global Studies Law Review

Practices

Education

  • J.D., cum laude, Washington University School of Law, 2008
  • M.A., U.S. Law, Washington University School of Law, 2006
  • LL.B., Honours, Queen Mary, University of London, School of Law (London, UK), 2001

Admissions

  • New York (2009)
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York