Overview
Jack Clabby’s practices focus on corporate governance, fiduciary duty, and shareholder litigation, including the defense of securities fraud class actions, D&O litigation, and SEC enforcement matters. Recent engagements have included the defeat of class certification against claims that a brokerage violated fiduciary duties in its clients’ account selection; the defense of a former bank chairman and president against allegations of breach of fiduciary duty arising from a series of private placements and the later sale of the bank; and litigation of restrictive covenants in employment agreements for clients in the securities, banking, and technology industries.
A former assistant U.S. attorney, Jack also represents companies and special litigation committees in connection with internal corporate investigations. As examples, Jack recently concluded (i) an investigation into alleged executive self-dealing arising from business with a related company and (ii) a series of investigations prompted by environmental, social, and governance (ESG) topics, including alleged executive sexual misconduct and a business unit’s racial preferences and discrimination in customer-facing practices.
As a former cyber prosecutor, Jack advises corporate boards and management on legal issues regarding cybersecurity and represents companies in litigation, including class actions, concerning breaches and data loss incidents. Jack serves as a “breach coach,” guiding clients through the loss or suspected loss of personally identifiable information, business interruption, and other system compromises.
Jack also provides governance, safety, and risk management advice to colleges and boarding schools, conducts internal and independent investigations of such institutions, assists universities with matters pertaining to Title IX, and represents education clients in litigation.
Jack began his career as an associate at the litigation firm Williams & Connolly LLP in Washington, D.C. He leads the firm's Securities Litigation and Enforcement Practice and is the firm's Hiring Chair. Jack is also a co-director of the firm’s annual Carlton Fields Class Action Survey.