Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP

Alejandro Cruz is a Partner in the Firm’s Litigation department. Mr. Cruz represents clients in complex commercial litigation in trial and appellate courts, as well as in arbitrations and mediations. His practice includes matters involving structured finance transactions, financial derivatives, professional malpractice, antitrust actions, commodities manipulation, and art law. He also conducts internal investigations and represents clients in investigations by government agencies, including the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the Department of Justice, the Securities Exchange Commission, and the New York Attorney General. In addition, as a member of the Firm’s Privacy and Data Security group, Mr. Cruz advises clients on a wide array of cybersecurity issues, including breach response, ransomware, regulatory compliance, risk mitigation, and the New York Department of Financial Services’ cybersecurity regulation. Mr. Cruz was named a 2020 “Rising Star” by the New York Law Journal, a designation that “recognizes the region’s most promising lawyers ages 40 and under.”

Mr. Cruz also maintains an active pro bono practice, including federal civil rights actions, housing disputes, disability discrimination, and claims related to religious land use and the First Amendment. In 2016, Mr. Cruz received the Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project’s Champion of Justice Award for his commitment to pro bono service.

Prior to joining the Firm, Mr. Cruz was an associate at a New York law firm and served as a law clerk to the Hon. Eric N. Vitaliano of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York from 2011 to 2012.

Representative matters

Represented a European bank in connection with an industry-wide investigation into alleged manipulation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (Libor) and the Euro Interbank Offered Rate (Euribor).

Represented financial guarantors in complex contract and fraud actions against sponsors and underwriters of mortgage-backed securities.

Represented a European bank in connection with an industry-wide investigation into alleged manipulation of ISDAFIX, a benchmark rate for interest-rate swaps and options.

Represented a European bank in connection with a consolidated class action alleging violations of the Sherman Act and the Commodity Exchange Act based on alleged collusion and manipulation of ISDAFIX.

Represented a national law firm and one of its partners against malpractice claims by the executor of an estate arising from the theft and conversation of the estate’s assets.

Secured summary judgment for a chocolate maker in an antitrust price fixing case, and successfully defended that judgment on appeal.

Secured pre-trial and appellate victories for a Big Four accounting firm in multiple actions alleging securities fraud, malpractice, and unfair business practices.

Represented an individual in an investigation by the SEC regarding auditor independence under the federal securities laws.

Represented a non-for-profit arts organization in an investigation by the New York Attorney General.

Pro Bono

Represented a Muslim organization subject to religious discrimination when it was denied a land use permit to establish a house of worship in New Jersey.

Represented a prisoner in a civil rights and medical malpractice action against a private prison medical provider for denial of medical care.

Represented putative class of children with disabilities in civil rights litigation seeking relief under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Represented individual in Bronx County Family Court in proceeding for an order of protection arising from domestic violence.

Represent individuals in housing court and administrative housing proceedings in Westchester County in partnership with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley.

Bar Admissions

• U.S. District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York
• New York

Education

• University of Virginia School of Law (J.D., 2009)
  • Editorial Board, Virginia Law Review
  • Order of the Coif
• Dartmouth College (A.B., cum laude, 2004)