About Richard H. Zelichov

Sharp declines in stock prices often trigger shareholder litigation, particularly for companies in the technology, life sciences and financial sectors. Yet lawsuits alleging securities fraud are often filed quickly on the assumption that bad news means somebody did something wrong. Richard Zelichov represents clients in these precise high-stakes situations. He presents their stories clearly and effectively to the courts and regulators, often resulting in early dismissals and allowing his clients to refocus on their core business goals.

Clear strategy for complex securities disputes

Richard handles a wide range of complex commercial litigation, with particular depth in representing public companies and their directors and officers in securities class actions and derivative suits across federal and state courts nationwide. He also counsels clients on corporate governance issues, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) enforcement matters, and conducts internal investigations.

Each matter begins with Richard building a detailed understanding of the client's business, operations and industry realities. That preparation allows him to present facts clearly to courts and regulators, defend the conduct of companies and individuals, and develop creative legal strategies grounded in the record.

Richard prides himself on being dedicated to his clients and responsive to their requests. He understands that his clients or client contacts often have persons to whom they need to report and provide information, or find themselves in the uncomfortable position of being named defendants in a litigation for the first time. He also explains the pros and cons of strategic options to clients so they can make informed decisions about what is in their best interests.

Spanning the technology and life sciences industries, Richard's clients have included Stamps.com, Amdocs, Edwards Lifesciences, Stratasys, Vulcan Ventures, Spectranetics, Retalix, Enzymotec and Camtek, as well as senior executives from numerous other companies. He defends organizations across a broad spectrum of matters, including accounting restatements, missed earnings projections, product recalls, executive compensation disputes, stock option issues, and M&A-related litigation.

Richard frequently authors articles and speaks on securities law topics. After law school, he served as a judicial clerk for the Honorable Alfred T. Goodwin of the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Practice Focus

  • Securities class actions and derivative litigation
  • SEC investigations and enforcement actions
  • Internal investigations
  • Complex commercial litigation
  • Contract disputes, including earnout claims, license agreements and nondisclosure agreements breaches
  • Trade secret litigation

Representative Experience

  • Issuer Representations
  • Defended Edwards Lifesciences Corporation in securities class action concerning missed forecasts for new transcatheter heart valve product.
  • Defended Stamps.com in securities class action and stockholder derivative lawsuit in connection with issues arising out of its relationship with its largest strategic partner.
  • Defended a community bank with a focus on fintech and technology companies in securities class action and individual stockholder action alleging that the bank engaged in a scheme to defraud the stockholders of one of its clients.
  • Defended global medical supply company and its officers and directors in securities class action arising from its recall of a multipurpose contact lens solution.
  • Defended Camtek, Ltd. in securities class action alleging claims of improper revenue recognition.
  • Defended genetic testing and diagnostics company in securities class action in state court regarding statements made in its registration statement and prospectus for IPO.
  • Defended director and investment company in securities class action and bondholder lawsuit arising out of failure and bankruptcy of a telecommunications company. *
  • Defended developer of cardiac health equipment and supplies and its officers and directors in securities class action, derivative litigation and SEC investigation arising out of allegations that company promoted its products for "off-label" use.
  • Defended electric company and its officers and directors in securities class action litigation arising from investigation by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. *
  • Defended Santa Barbara-based high technology company, and its officers and directors, in securities class action and derivative litigation arising out of company’s failure to meet public projections.  *
  • Represented diversified global semiconductor leader as amicus curiae in securities class action before the US Supreme Court. *
  • Director and Officer Representations
  • Defended former C-Suite executives of an electric vehicle manufacturer in securities class action and stockholder derivative litigation arising out of delays in production and loss of potential transformative government contract.
  • Defended a former director of a public company bank holding company whose bank subsidiary was placed under the receivership of the Federal Deposit Insurance Company.
  • Defended former CEO of Chinese operations of a pharmaceutical company in connection with Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigations by US Department of Justice and US Securities and Exchange Commission.
  • Defended officers and employees of mortgage lender in connection with investigations by US Department of Justice and US Securities and Exchange Commission concerning loan underwriting.
  • Defended director of contact lens manufacturer in securities class action and derivative litigation arising out of numerous issues company faced over a two-year period during and following merger with competitor. *
  • Defend former CFO of Blue Coat Systems, Inc. in SEC investigation and various securities cases regarding the company’s past practices relating to option grants.
  • Defended former senior executive of Krispy Kreme, Inc. in various civil securities matters and in US Securities and Exchange Commission and US Department of Justice investigations related to company’s restatement of financial results.  *
  • Complex Civil Litigation
  • Represented companies in connection with “earn-out” disputes and litigation related to mergers, licensing agreements, and other contracts.
  • Defended major financial institution in lawsuit alleging claims for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and violation of RICO in the sale of interest rate swaps.
  • Defended multiple class action and mass action lawsuits alleging software negligence in the design and installation of point-of-sale software at gas stations and associated convenience stores throughout the United States.
* Experience prior to Katten

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Publications

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Presentations and Events

Practices
Industries
Education
  • Columbia Law School, JD, James Kent Scholar; Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar
  • Yale University, BA, cum laude with Distinction in Economics
Bar Admissions
  • California
Court Admissions
  • US Supreme Court
  • US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • US Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
  • US District Court, Central District of California
  • US District Court, Northern District of California
  • US District Court, Southern District of California
Community Involvements
  • American Bar Association
  • Association of Business Trial Lawyers, Los Angeles Chapter
Recognitions
Recognized or listed in the following:
  • Best Lawyers in America
    Litigation - Securities, 2022–2024
    Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy), 2022–2024
  • Chambers USA
    Litigation: Securities, 2022–2025
  • Super Lawyers
    Southern California, 2013–2018
  • Super Lawyers Rising Stars
    Southern California, 2011–2012
  • The Legal 500 United States
    Recommended Attorney, 2016, 2019–2020, 2023–2025
Award Methodologies