H. Gregory Baker is a Partner in Patterson Belknap’s Litigation department and White Collar Defense and Investigations group, and serves as Chair of its Securities Enforcement & Litigation practice. Drawing on 20 years of experience, Greg’s practice includes representing individuals and companies in high stakes SEC enforcement investigations and litigation, as well as representing clients in a broad range of commercial litigation disputes throughout the United States, involving subject matters such as securities, breach of contract, business torts, intellectual property, bankruptcy and antitrust. Greg also represents companies, boards of directors, and special committees in conducting internal investigations.

Greg previously served as a Senior Counsel with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Division of Enforcement, where he was a member of the Asset Management Unit. In that role, Greg oversaw investigations and litigations concerning investment advisors, hedge funds, private equity funds, and mutual funds. His matters involved issues such as hedge fund valuations, private equity fee disclosures, compliance violations, market manipulation, performance advertising, insider trading, derivative arbitrage, and accounting. He worked extensively with the DOJ, FBI, FINRA, IRS, and other federal agencies in his investigations, and received four Directors’ Awards from the SEC’s Division of Enforcement in recognition of his outstanding achievements in investigative work. Greg applies his firsthand knowledge of the SEC to help clients manage risk and achieve positive outcomes in matters led by financial regulators.

Greg is a frequent speaker on securities enforcement and litigation, having appeared on CNBC’s Squawk on the Street, and is regularly quoted in publications on securities-related developments. Greg is a member of the board of directors of the Federal Defenders of New York. He also serves as the editor of Patterson Belknap’s Securities Enforcement & Litigation Insider Blog. In 2024, he was recognized by JD Supra's Readers' Choice Awards as one of the top ten authors in the Securities category.

At Patterson, Greg serves as co-chair of the firm’s hiring committee, and is an active supporter of the firm’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiative. Greg is also actively involved in the firm’s pro bono work.

Greg previously served as a law clerk to the Honorable William H. Walls of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. He received his B.A. from Amherst College and his J.D. from Columbia Law School.

Representative Matters

Assisted in extensive investigation and reporting in federal bankruptcy case of FTX Trading Ltd.

Successfully advocated for non-prosecution of client, a former marketing executive, in SEC investigation based on disclosure and accounting-related issues.

Secured favorable settlements on behalf of multiple investment adviser clients following SEC investigations.

Represent coalition of public interest groups in suing Florida Secretary of State based on 2022 congressional redistricting.

Represent hedge fund and its executives against SEC enforcement action in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois concerning issues of alleged mismarking of fund assets and GAAP compliance.

Successfully advocated for non-prosecution of client in SEC investigation, who was investigated for acting as unregistered broker dealer.

Represent companies and individuals in investigations conducted by the DOJ, SEC, and FINRA.

Represented multiple relief defendants in federal district court actions filed by the SEC.

Represented audit committee of publicly traded pharmaceutical company in investigation of whistleblower complaints.

Represented private equity firm in defending lawsuit filed by former employees concerning the alleged misvaluation of their employee profits interests.

Represented families who were the victims of forced separation at the U.S. border in pursuing federal tort claims against the U.S. government (pro bono).

Successfully defended foreign private issuer in securities class action dispute in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York; prevailed on motion to dismiss in Southern District and secured affirmation of dismissal by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Successfully defended private equity firm in adversary proceeding filed by Chapter 7 Trustee in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware against claims of breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duties, and avoidable preferences, among other claims.

Represented board of publicly traded insurance company in investigating alleged violations of securities laws and ERISA regulations by officers of the company.

Represented reinsurance company in pursuing action in New York state court against various issuers of collateralized debt obligations (CDOs).

Represented major investment bank in emergency action in New York State Supreme Court to enjoin mezzanine lender from foreclosing on a large hotel and casino based in Las Vegas, Nevada, for which the client was the senior lender.