Sean Haran

Partner

212 335 2033

seanh@wmhwlaw.com

Sean is a trusted advisor to public and private companies and senior executives in complex civil, criminal, commercial, and regulatory matters.

He thrives on helping his clients identify and achieve their goals and is equally adept fighting for his clients in the courtroom before judges and juries, conducting investigations involving dozens of witnesses, leading monitorships and conducting transaction reviews and compliance assessments, and working closely with his clients behind the scenes to help navigate their most difficult challenges. He has had some of his most pronounced success in persuading prosecutors and regulators to decline to even bring criminal cases and enforcement actions, often after years of investigation, and in convincing judges to dismiss meritless complaints and lawsuits.

The desire to have the freedom and flexibility to provide personal service to each of his clients led Sean to help found WMHW in 2016 and the Firm is now capable of handling whatever litigation, regulatory, investigatory or monitorship related services clients require, no matter the size or complexity.

As a defense lawyer, Sean has tried criminal and civil cases to juries and judges, as well as in federal administrative proceedings and before arbitration tribunals. In addition, as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of New York (EDNY), he took more than a dozen cases to jury verdict and supervised federal prosecutors in the Business and Securities Fraud Section. While an AUSA, Sean handled many of the highest profile and complex white collar criminal matters in the Office, including prosecutions and grand jury investigations of securities fraud, health care fraud, bank fraud, money laundering offenses, bribery, tax fraud, obstruction of justice, racketeering, material support of terrorism and import/export control violations.

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A strategic thinker with a calming presence in the midst of crisis situations and able to put his clients at ease. He distills complex matters to their essence” and “knows his way around a courtroom incredibly well.

– 2021 Chambers USA

Experience

Represents a worldwide digital media company in litigation concerning the Company’s air rights and development rights in its landmark New York City Headquarters. The Georgetown Company v. IAC, Dkt. No. 651304/2016 (Sup. Ct., N.Y County, Commercial Division)

Represents a global online travel company in ongoing litigation in federal and state courts, including in connection with claims brought under the Helms-Burton Act. Glen v. Tripadvisor, et al., Dkt No. 1:19-cv-01809 (D. Del.)

Represents a leading global investment bank and financial services company along with a number of its executives, in various ongoing capacities, including in connection with internal investigations and regulatory investigations.

Represents an international sports marketing company and its chief executive in complex litigation; Sean persuaded a New York state judge to dismiss a civil suit against his client notwithstanding the client’s prior guilty plea in federal court. Confederacion Sudamericana De Futbol v. International Soccer Marketing, Inc., Dkt. No. 655619/2016 (Sup. Ct. N.Y. Co, Commercial Division)

Together with WMHW partner John Curran, led the monitorship of one of the world’s largest banks, and supervised an extensive “look back” transaction review and compliance assessment of the bank’s New York branch in connection with state and federal banking consent decrees.

Regularly represents executives of financial services and cryptocurrency firms, including as “pool counsel,” in federal criminal, SEC and CFTC investigations.

Represented former Kings County District Attorney Charles “Joe” Hynes in an extensive federal criminal investigation; prosecutors closed the lengthy investigation without bringing charges.

Represented the former General Counsel of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in lengthy parallel SEC and state grand jury investigations into allegations of federal securities fraud and violations of New York’s Martin Act; no charges filed.

Represented a law firm partner in an SEC investigation into fraud in municipal bond offerings; no charges filed after multiple threats of enforcement proceedings.

Represented a well-known real estate developer in a highly publicized and multiyear federal criminal investigation into political corruption and “theft of honest services” fraud; no charges filed.

Represented a household name internet company in a consumer protection investigation by the Office of the New York Attorney General; no charges filed.

Recognitions

Ranked in Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations — New York, Chambers and Partners USA (2020-2024)

500 Leading Litigators in America, Lawdragon (2024)

500 Leading Lawyers in America, Lawdragon (2024)

National Practice Area Star and Local Litigation Star, General Commercial Litigation and White Collar Crime, Benchmark Litigation  (2018 -2023)

Best Lawyer, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, U.S. News-Best Lawyers in America  (2015-2022) [see selection methodology here]

Irish Legal 100 (2020-2022)

True American Hero Award, Eastern District of New York (for work against violent gangs)

 

Activities

Adjunct Professor, Columbia Law School