Antonio Yanez, Jr. is a partner in the Litigation Department and Co-Chair of both the Securities Litigation Practice Group and the Accounting Litigation & Enforcement Practice Group. Outside Willkie, Tony is a member of the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council, which acts as a key adviser to the FASB on its agenda and priorities.
Tony concentrates on securities and financial reporting matters in addition to other complex litigation. His practice includes representation of issuers, accounting firms, private equity firms, and others in securities class actions, SEC proceedings, and other litigation and regulatory matters. He has extensive experience representing US and non-US accounting firms in PCAOB matters. And he regularly leads internal and independent investigations of financial reporting, accounting, and related issues. Tony is also a frequent speaker on these issues.
Tony has particular experience in matters with an international dimension, having handled matters in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. He speaks fluent Spanish.
Tony is ranked among the leading individuals practicing in the area of Litigation: Securities in New York by Chambers USA (2010-2023). He was also named a Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation (2022-23).
Experience
Litigation
- Mahar v. General Electric Co. (N.Y. Sup.) – Representing Big Four accounting firm in Section 11 securities class action.
- Puerto Rico Restructuring (D.P.R.) – Lead trial counsel for COFINA Agent in $20 billion COFINA-Commonwealth case relating to bonds secured by Puerto Rico sales and use taxes.
- Netflix v. Relativity Media (S.D.N.Y. Bankr.) – Lead trial counsel for movie studio in complex contract dispute.
- GSP Finance v. KPMG LLP (N.Y. Sup.) – Secured jury verdict for accounting firm in case arising out of alleged misrepresentations in sports team financial statements.
- Ho v. Duoyuan Global Water (S.D.N.Y.) – Representing international accounting organization in securities class action relating to failure of Chinese water company.
- In re American International Group, Inc. Securities and Derivative Litigations (S.D.N.Y.) – Representing senior official in class action and derivative litigation arising out of events leading up to government rescue of AIG.
- In re Ambac Financial Group, Inc. Securities Litigation (S.D.N.Y) – Representing Big 4 accounting firm in securities class action arising out of writedowns related to securitization products.
- In re The Bear Stearns Companies Inc. Securities, Derivative, and ERISA Litigation (S.D.N.Y.) – Representing senior official in class action and derivative litigation arising out of writedowns of subprime-related financial instruments and events leading to acquisition by JPMorgan.
- In re WorldCom, Inc. Securities Litigation (S.D.N.Y.) – Representing certain underwriters in negotiations to settle securities class action arising out of accounting improprieties at WorldCom.
- State of Wisconsin Investment Board v. Ruttenberg (N.D. Ala.) – Representing Big 4 accounting firm in securities class action arising out of alleged discovery of accounting improprieties at Just For Feet, Inc.
SEC Enforcement
- Representing Big 4 accounting firm in investigation relating to accounting issues at Fortune 100 company.
- Representing Big 4 accounting firm in connection with accounting restatement by alternative energy company.
- Representing asset manager in investigation relating to valuation of private equity investments.
- Representing insurance company in investigation relating to reserving issues.
- Representing private equity firm in investigation relating to expense allocation and related issues.
- Representing Big 4 accounting firm in investigation arising out of alleged accounting improprieties at franchising company.
- Representing foreign accounting firm in investigation arising out of restatement of human resources company financial statements.
- Representing Big 4 auditor in investigation arising out of restatement of financial institution financial statements.
- Representing foreign accounting firm in investigation arising out of restatement of pharmaceutical company financial statements.
- Representing audit committee members in investigation arising out of alleged accounting improprieties at sporting products company.
PCAOB Enforcement
- Representing Big 4 accounting firm in investigation relating to restatement at energy company.
- Representing South American accounting firm in investigation relating to quality control matters.
- Representing European accounting firm in investigation relating to professional testing matters.
- Representing Middle Eastern accounting firm in investigation relating to professional testing matters.
- Representing Asian accounting firm in investigation relating to professional testing matters.
- Representing Asian accounting firm in investigation relating to special reporting matters.
- Representing accounting firm in investigation relating to quality control matters.
- Representing Big 4 accounting firm in investigation relating to accounting practices at bankrupt client.
Internal Investigations
- Advising European accounting firm on investigation relating to quality control practices.
- Advising Middle Eastern accounting firm on investigation relating to quality control issues.
- Conducting internal investigation for board of energy company relating to allegations of improper accounting.
- Conducting internal investigation for audit committee of insurance company relating to allegations of improper accounting and actuarial practices.
- Conducting internal investigation for board of financial services company relating to expense issues.
- Conducting internal investigation for healthcare company relating alleged accounting improprieties.
- Representing board of major international bank in internal investigation of high-profile fraud at Mexican unit.
- Conducting internal investigation for international bank relating to European asset management operations.
- Conducting internal investigation for offshore insurance and reinsurance company related to allegations of accounting improprieties.
- Conducting internal investigation for board of gaming company relating to South American operations.
- Conducting investigation in Asia for audit committee of major computer company relating to potential accounting improprieties.
Credentials
Education
Brooklyn Law School, J.D., 1996 Vassar College, B.A., 1992
Bar Admissions
Court Admissions
United States Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit, 2002 United States District Court, Eastern District of New York, 1999 United States District Court, Southern District of New York, 1999