Evan H. Lechtman

Biography

CO-CHAIR, COMMERCIAL LITIGATION PRACTICE GROUP

Evan Lechtman is a partner in Blank Rome’s commercial litigation practice group and co-chair of its Class Action Defense Team. Evan serves as a trusted adviser to clients in a wide array of industries including: financial services, real estate, software and technology, manufacturing, retail and sports. His proactive advice helps companies and their executives propel revenue, while avoiding unnecessary legal risk and financial harm. His strengths are in supporting his client’s business objectives, managing legal and regulatory risk, and advising company leaders on litigation avoidance strategies.

Evan routinely represents public and private clients in class actions concerning deceptive trade practices/consumer protection, securities fraud, and RICO in federal and state courts throughout the United States.

Evan has represented corporations, officers, directors, audit and special committees of boards of directors, and financial institutions and advisers in all aspects of securities and shareholder litigation, as well as SEC enforcement investigations and proceedings. He has significant experience in arbitrations before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), as well as other self-regulatory organizations. Evan also represents real estate firms in litigation concerning their development, use and management of commercial real estate.

Evan frequently counsels clients on how to preemptively minimize the litigation risks associated with data privacy and cybersecurity incidents, and he also represents clients in investigations and litigation arising out of cybersecurity events.

Evan is currently an Adjunct Professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Law.

Evan has been recognized as a “Rising Star” among Pennsylvania Lawyers. He is a frequent speaker at legal and industry seminars concerning developments in cybersecurity/data privacy and class actions.

Outside the Firm

Outside the office, Evan regularly volunteers his time coaching youth sports for his two sons.

Experience

  • Officers and directors of a publicly-traded financial institution, in class-action asserting violations of federal securities laws.
  • A global leader in retail real estate ownership, in multiple disputes concerning development projects at one of the nation’s largest shopping malls.
  • A private equity firm and its principals, in SEC investigation concerning potential violations of Investment Advisors Act.
  • A foodservice and facilities provider, in class action concerning alleged violations of consumer protection laws in connection with the purchase of food and beverages in suites at a Major League Baseball stadium.
  • Former officers and directors of regional bank, in suit alleging violations of RICO and breach of fiduciary duty in connection with merger.
  • A publicly-traded defense contractor and its officers, in class-action under Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act.
  • Board of directors of a defense contractor, in shareholder derivative claim alleging breach of fiduciary duty.
  • A hedge fund founder, in SEC investigation regarding insider trading.
  • A New Jersey municipality, in class-action seeking medical monitoring damages related to distribution of allegedly polluted water.
  • Limited partner in a private equity investment fund asserting claims for violations of federal securities laws, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of partnership agreement, and common-law fraud.
  • An investment adviser, in SEC enforcement action involving Class B mutual funds.
  • A publicly-traded financial institution, in NASD investigation relating to municipal securities.

Affiliations

Memberships

  • American Bar Association
  • Philadelphia Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
Professional Activities

Evan is a member of the Temple University Law School Inn of Court, and serves as a Chair of the Philadelphia Chapter of the American University Alumni Association. Evan is a member of the Corporate Partners Council for JEVS, a not-for-profit human services and job training agency. In addition, he is a past recipient of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s MS Leadership Award. He has also been named to the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania’s Pro Bono Honor Roll for his pro bono work in the Philadelphia community.

Credentials

Admissions

  • Pennsylvania
  • New Jersey
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
  • U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. District Court - New Jersey

Education

  • American University, BA
  • Temple University Beasley School of Law, JD, cum laude