O’Melveny Worldwide

Dan Cantor is a versatile commercial litigator representing entities of all sizes, as well as individuals. His experience spans contract disputes, federal securities and common law fraud actions, regulatory investigations, corporate governance disputes, insurance and reinsurance coverage disputes, and employment matters. Dan has worked extensively with financial institutions, representing them in securities litigation, securities sales practice disputes, lender liability disputes, investment banking disputes, hiring/raiding disputes, and employment disputes. He has appeared before state and federal courts as well as alternative dispute resolution organizations.

  • Representing major financial institution in multiple litigations involving residential-mortgage-backed securities arising out of the 2008 financial crisis
  • Representing a major financial institution in a putative class action concerning non-sufficient funds fees
  • Representing a financial investor in litigation and restructuring action relating to the restoration of one of the country’s oldest amusement parks
  • Representing one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency hardware manufacturers in securities litigation arising from the company’s IPO
  • Secured two directed verdicts in securities arbitrations for a leading broker-dealer that faced suitability claims and allegations of offering poor investment advice
  • Won summary judgment in favor of a major financial institution’s asset management affiliate in an action concerning the proper pricing of corporate bonds sold in privately negotiated transactions between the institution’s investors
  • Secured dismissal of an industry-wide class action challenging the cash sweep programs of major broker-dealers
  • Secured dismissal of successor-liability claims, alleging de facto merger and implied assumption of liability, and seeking to hold financial institution liable for billions of dollars in potential liability
  • Representing a global financial services company in a renegotiation and restructuring of a private United States oil and gas company
  • Representing a leading securities firm and its employees (including a retail broker and an equity research analyst) in two litigations and an arbitration asserting federal and state securities law claims arising out of the sale of FCC wireless licenses
  • Defending a major bank in multiple litigations seeking more than US$1 billion in damages for alleged breaches of financing agreements relating to the failed Fontainebleau Las Vegas casino project
  • Representing a leading international financial institution in two separate actions seeking treble damages under the Antiterrorism Act for engaging in transactions alleged to be tied to international terrorism
  • Representing a major bank in the Tribune Company bankruptcy case in Delaware in connection with allegations that a multi-billion dollar leveraged buyout constituted a fraudulent conveyance
  • Representing a broker-dealer and its employees in litigations brought by public employee retirement/pension funds
  • Representing an investment bank in litigation brought by an investment management firm, claiming that our client misappropriated confidential and proprietary information and otherwise tortiously interfered with a potential US$800 million “life settlement” transaction
  • Representing an investment bank in multiple disputes involving fees for investment banking and advisory services
  • Representing a top broker-dealer in federal and state litigations arising out of a former employee’s alleged participation in a Ponzi scheme created by a hedge fund
  • Representing two founders/managers of private equity and CLO funds in a corporate governance dispute with other founders/managers
  • Representing former senior executive of a leading mutual fund complex in several nationwide class actions involving trading and sales practices in the mutual fund industry
  • Representing several major national broker-dealers and their employees in various litigations and arbitrations brought by customers alleging securities fraud and/or sales practice violations
  • Representing a leading national broker-dealer in several securities arbitrations brought by competitors alleging “raiding” and other improper hiring practices
  • Representing financial investors named as co-defendants with an issuer in a securities fraud litigation
  • Advising private equity firms and their employees in corporate governance matters, including advice as to duties of directors and controlling shareholders
  • Representing an equity research analyst from a leading financial institution in a regulatory investigation over the content of certain research reports
  • Representing the asset management affiliate of a leading financial institution in a contract dispute with another asset manager
  • Representing the manager of a hedge fund in a dispute with his former employer arising out of his move to a competing firm
  • Representing a private equity firm in a series of litigations involving a portfolio company arising out of the unwinding of an investment
  • Representing a nationally known sports and entertainment company in a contract dispute with a former licensor
  • Representing a major reinsurance pool and several of its member companies in a dispute over reinsurance coverage for a billion dollar insurance settlement between a leading insurance company and an asbestos manufacturer

Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • New York

Court Admissions

  • US District Court, Northern District of Florida, Eastern and Southern Districts of New York
  • US Court of Appeals, Second and Eleventh Circuits

Education

  • University of Pennsylvania, J.D., 1989: cum laude
  • Cornell University, B.A., 1986

Professional Activities

Member

  • Association of the Bar of the City of New York
  • American Bar Association, Litigation and Business Law sections

Articles

  • “The Pandemic’s Impact on Interim Operating Covenants: Part II: An Update,” The M&A Journal (February 2021) (co-author)
  • “The Pandemic’s Impact on Interim Operating Covenants: Lessons From The Now-Resolved Sycamore - L Brands Dispute,” The M&A Journal (August 1, 2020) (co-author)