Douglas W. Greene

Partner

New York
T +1.212.847.7090
F +1.212.589.4201

"[Doug] is one of the smartest and most effective litigation specialists I've encountered and his client service is amazing."

— Chambers USA 2022

Overview

Doug Greene leads BakerHostetler’s firmwide Securities and Governance Litigation Team. Doug is one of the most experienced and successful securities and governance litigators in the United States. He defends and counsels clients in securities class actions, shareholder derivative actions, shareholder challenges to mergers and acquisitions, SEC investigations and internal investigations.

Doug has focused his practice exclusively on such cases since 1997 and is one of only a handful of full-time practitioners nationwide. He has handled well over 100 securities and corporate governance litigation matters, defending companies of every size and industry — from aerospace giant Boeing to innovative beverage manufacturer Jones Soda.

Securities and governance litigation can be frustrating — it accuses good people of doing bad things. Doug is devoted to helping clients through it as quickly and comfortably as possible. His defense emphasizes his clients’ honesty and good faith, defending the truth of what they said and their intent to do and say the right thing. He doesn’t rely on technicalities or gotchas.

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Doug also works hard to shape securities law, so that executives can speak publicly and make business decisions without fear of unfair liability. He founded and wrote a pioneering securities and governance litigation blog. He has published dozens of articles. He is a sought-after speaker. He authored U.S. Supreme Court amicus briefs in the Omnicare, Cyan and Quality Systems securities class actions. In Omnicare, Doug contributed to the groundbreaking Supreme Court decision that executives cannot be liable for voicing their honestly held opinions — a position he had long championed.

Clients refer to Doug as an “expert securities litigator.” One client said, “Doug Greene came to the [counsel selection] meeting with an in-depth understanding of the specific details of the case and proposed a strategy on how to move forward with a realistic timeline.” Another client said, “Doug makes himself available seven days per week, and the first thing he provides is his cell phone number along with a promise to be available at any time, even if it’s just to alleviate my worries … I would use [him] again in a heartbeat."

Experience

Doug has handled well over 100 securities and corporate governance litigation matters, defending companies of every size and industry. Among them:

  • Alcide Corporation
  • Amazon.com, Inc.
  • Ambassadors Group, Inc.
  • Annovis Bio, Inc.
  • aQuantive, Inc.
  • Artificial Life, Inc.
  • Athenex
  • Berry Corp.
  • Biovest International (former CEO)
  • Boeing
  • Cell Therapeutics, Inc.
  • Cemtrex, Inc.
  • Corillian Corporation
  • Dendreon Corporation
  • Drugstore.com, Inc.
  • Eagle Bancorp, Inc.
  • Egghead, Inc.
  • Expedia, Inc.
  • Fumoto Engineering of America
  • Greenlane Holdings, Inc.
  • Immunex
  • InfoSpace, Inc.
  • Jones Soda Co.
  • L&L Energy, Inc.
  • Liberty Mutual
  • Lihua International
  • Live Ventures Incorporated
  • Lordstown Motors
  • Merix Corporation
  • Metawave Communications Corporation
  • Micron Technology, Inc.
  • Namaste Technologies
  • National Securities Corporation
  • Nordstrom
  • OfficeMax Incorporated
  • Pareteum Corporation (current and former officers and directors)
  • PlayAGS, Inc.
  • PremierWest Bancorp
  • Primo Water Corporation
  • Primus Knowledge Solutions, Inc.
  • ProCyte Corporation
  • Quantum Corporation
  • RBC Dain Rauscher Corp.
  • Safeco Corporation
  • Spacelabs Medical, Inc.
  • Sterling Financial Corporation
  • Subaye, Inc.
  • Tilray, Inc.
  • TriQuint Semiconductor, Inc.
  • Washington Banking Company
  • Washington Mutual (Former CEO)
  • Western Wireless Corporation
  • WSB Financial Group, Inc.
  • Zumiez, Inc.

Recognitions and Memberships

Recognitions

  • The Legal 500 United States (2019 to 2021)
    • Recommended in Dispute Resolution - Securities Litigation: Defense
  • Chambers USA: Litigation:
    • Securities in New York (2022)
      • Band 5 (2022)
    • General Commercial in Washington (2016 to 2021)
      • Band 4 (2017 to 2021)
  • Washington "Super Lawyer" (2004 to 2010, 2012 to 2020)
    • Washington Super Lawyers "Rising Star" (2004)
  • Benchmark Litigation, Securities: Local Litigation Star (2015 to 2020)
  • Lawdragon: 500 Leading Litigators in America (2022)
  • Washington CEO: Top Washington Lawyer (2008)
  • Martindale-Hubbell: AV Preeminent 
  • 10/10 "Superb" rating by Avvo
  • The Legal 500 United States (2018)
    • Recommended in Dispute Resolution - Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense

Memberships

  • National Association of Corporate Directors, Northwest Chapter:
    • Advisory Board Member (2012 to present)
    • Cyber Security Event, Co-Chair (2014)
  • Securities Reform Act Litigation Reporter: Board of Advisors (2008 to present)
  • Washington State Bar Association: Securities Committee Member (2003 to present)
  • PLUS D&O Content Advisory Team (2019 to Present) 
  • D&O Liability Conference, American Conference Institute: Co-Chair (2014 to 2015)
  • Asian American Bar Association of New York

News

News

Press Releases

Publications

Articles

Community

  • Re-Member, Board of Directors 
    • Vice President, Member (2017 to present)
  • Lake Washington Girls Middle School, Board of Trustees 
    • President (2016 to present)
    • Vice President (2014 to 2016)
  • University Child Development School: Member, Board Committee (2013 to present)
  • King County Bar Foundation: Member, Board of Trustees (2001 to 2009)
  • Northwest Securities Institute: Co-Chair (2004 to 2007)

Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • Washington
  • [Not admitted in New York]

Education

  • J.D., University of Iowa College of Law, 1992, with high distinction; Iowa Law Review, Articles Editor; Order of the Coif
  • B.A., St. Olaf College, 1988, cum laude