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Sean C. Knowles

Profile photo for Sean C. Knowles
Profile photo for Sean C. Knowles
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Sean C. Knowles

  • Firmwide Chair, Securities Litigation Practice
  • Seattle
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Sean handles securities litigation, corporate governance matters and litigation, and SEC enforcement investigations.

Sean Knowles represents public companies and their officers and directors in shareholder class action litigation, merger and acquisition litigation, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) enforcement proceedings and investigations, and shareholder derivative lawsuits. He also has defended clients against claims under the Washington State Securities Act and has counseled companies and their officers and directors on corporate governance matters.

Sean's experience includes defending clients against shareholder class actions alleging securities fraud in federal courts. He litigated securities matters regarding the mortgage-related financial crisis, including the consolidated multidistrict litigation In re Washington Mutual, Inc. Securities, Derivative & ERISA Litigation in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.

Experienced in SEC and state attorneys general investigations, as well as shareholder books and records inspection demands, Sean also handles Financial Industry Regulatory Authority inquiries and substantiation of confidentiality requests under the Freedom of Information Act. He has advised clients on Foreign Corrupt Practices Act compliance and related corporate governance issues.

Ranked as a leading lawyer in Chambers USA, he won praise from clients for his "work ethic, attention to detail, responsiveness, and upbeat attitude."

Education & Credentials

Education

  • Columbia Law School, J.D., 1999
  • Brown University, A.B., Psychology and Political Science, 1996

Bar and Court Admissions

  • Washington
  • New York
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington

Related Employment

  • Bloomberg LP, Chicago, IL, Legal Analyst, 2007
  • Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, New York, NY, Litigation Associate, 1999-2006
  • State of Rhode Island District Court, The Hon. Gilbert V. Indeglia, Providence, RI, Intern, 1996

Professional Recognition

  • Listed by Chambers USA as “America’s Leading Lawyers” for Litigation: General Commercial, 2023-2024

  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America: Litigation - Securities, 2016-2025

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