Genevieve G. York-Erwin

She | Her | Hers

Partner

Seattle
T +1.206.566.7079
F +1.206.624.7317
New York
T +1.212.271.1509

Overview

Gen York-Erwin devotes her practice exclusively to securities and governance matters, defending and counseling clients in securities class actions, shareholder derivative suits, SEC investigations and related matters in state and federal courts from coast to coast. Gen is one of only a handful of attorneys nationwide defending securities litigation full-time, and has handled many dozens of such matters, representing clients in a variety of industries and of all sizes, from biotech startups to Fortune 10 companies.

Drawing on a broad background in complex litigation, Gen combines strong writing skills with thoughtful storytelling to defend the honesty and good faith of her clients from the get-go, frequently achieving early dismissal of all claims against them.

Intellectually curious and analytically creative, Gen has a knack for distilling complex matters into simple, compelling legal narratives, and for coming up with creative solutions to legal problems. Gen believes that effective advocacy always begins with good listening, and she approaches her matters with a strong commitment to understanding her clients’ perspective, goals and concerns, and keeping those front and center as they evolve through the representation.

Select Experience

  • Represents companies and their officers and directors in a wide variety of industries—including biotech, gaming, oil and gas, electric vehicle, retail, wholesale distribution, banking—in securities class actions, shareholder derivative suits and related securities and governance matters nationwide.
  • Advises and assists companies, officers and directors and boards of directors in responding to government subpoenas and investigations, shareholder books and records requests and litigation demands, and conducting internal investigations.
  • Represents board of directors of a Fortune 10 company in investigating and responding to shareholder litigation demand.
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Experience

  • Represents companies and their officers and directors in a wide variety of industries—including biotech, gaming, oil and gas, electric vehicle, retail, wholesale distribution, banking—in securities class actions, shareholder derivative suits and related securities and governance matters nationwide.
  • Advises and assists companies, officers and directors and boards of directors in responding to government subpoenas and investigations, shareholder books and records requests and litigation demands, and conducting internal investigations.
  • Represents board of directors of a Fortune 10 company in investigating and responding to shareholder litigation demand.
  • Defended leading developer and distributor of premium cannabis and lifestyle accessory products in parallel 1933 Act securities class actions in state and federal court, winning complete dismissal with prejudice of each action on the first motion to dismiss.
  • Represented clinical-stage biotechnology company and its officers in 1934 Act securities class actions, convincing plaintiffs’ counsel in each case to voluntarily dismiss the action without prejudice before any lead-plaintiff motions were filed.
  • Represented outside director in large, consolidated securities class action, obtaining early voluntary dismissal of all claims against client based on strong motion to dismiss.
  • Defended public company and corporate officers in securities class action and derivative suit, securing early voluntary dismissals of both actions, based on strong motion to dismiss.
  • Represented corporate officers and directors and related parties in shareholder derivative suit brought against major retailer, securing dismissal on motion to dismiss and affirmance in Ninth Circuit.
  • Represented multiple officers and directors in connection with SEC investigations and subpoenas, and prepared clients for testimony before SEC.
  • Gen has handled nonconfidential securities and governance matters for, among others:
    • Annovis Bio, Inc.
    • Athenex Inc.
    • Berry Corp.
    • Cemtrex, Inc.
    • Diego Pellicer Worldwide, Inc.
    • Eagle Bancorp, Inc.
    • Greenlane Holdings, Inc.
    • Lihua International
    • Live Ventures Incorporated
    • Lordstown Motors
    • Nordstrom (current and former officers and directors)
    • Pareteum Corporation (current and former officers and directors)
    • PlayAGS, Inc.
    • Pulse Biosciences, Inc.
    • Tilray, Inc.

Recognitions and Memberships

Recognitions

  • Chambers USA: General Commercial Litigation in Washington (2023)
    • Up and Coming (2023)
  • Sanctuary for Families, Above & Beyond Pro Bono Achievement Award (2013)

Memberships

  • Washington State Bar Association

Pro Bono

  • Successfully represented woman applying for asylum in the U.S., ultimately securing asylum for client and her children.

Prior Positions

  • The Honorable Lewis A Kaplan, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York: Law Clerk

Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • Washington
  • New York

Education

  • J.D., New York University School of Law, 2009; New York University Law Review, Articles Editor; OUTLaw LGBT Organization
  • B.A., Yale University, 2002, cum laude