Schindler Cohen Promotes Two to Counsel

Schindler Cohen & Hochman LLP is pleased to announce that Richard J. Bettan and Karen M. Steel have been promoted to Counsel.

Richard J. Bettan

Rick Bettan joined the firm in 2014, after eight years practicing with Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP.

Rick has represented parties in complex commercial disputes in courts throughout the country. He has prosecuted and defended actions alleging breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of trust, business negligence, accounting malpractice, fraud, tortious interference, promissory estoppel, unjust enrichment, constructive trust, negligent misrepresentation, and civil RICO violations. He has also handled several claims seeking injunctive relief. Rick has been regularly selected to New York SuperLawyers “Rising Stars” list, and in 2012 he was named one of the National LGBT Bar Association’s Best Lawyers under 40.

Since joining SCH, Rick’s practice has focused on financial services litigation. He has represented two major hedge funds in litigation stemming from residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) transactions. Rick routinely represents individuals in both on- and off-the-record interviews before the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission. He also led the firm’s successful representation of New York State Department of Financial Services in the first federal lawsuit brought by a state regulator alleging unfair and deceptive acts and practices under the Dodd-Frank Act. Under the final consent judgment in that case, the defendants admitted to all law violations alleged in the complaint, paid full restitution (including statutory interest) to victims as well as a $3 million penalty, and agreed to further relief sought by the Department.

Karen M. Steel

Karen Steel has practiced with SCH for eight years. Before joining the firm, she worked with Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP.

Karen has worked on trials, arbitrations and appeals in complex commercial disputes involving diverse areas of law, including: banking, commercial fraud, contracts, employment, intellectual property, and securities fraud. She has also worked on several claims seeking injunctive relief. She has represented several financial institutions, hedge funds, and private equity firms, as well as foreign clients who have U.S.-based litigation. In 2015, Karen was selected for the New York Super Lawyers Rising Stars list.

Karen is also committed to using her legal skills on a pro bono basis, having worked with New York Lawyers for the Public Interest and Sanctuary for Families in representing community organizations and indigent clients. In 2011, she received the Sanctuary for Families Award For Excellence in Pro Bono Advocacy.

Schindler Cohen & Hochman LLP

SCH is a premier litigation boutique. Our international client base includes leading investment banks, major hedge funds, companies of all sizes and high net-worth individuals. We handle a wide range of sophisticated, high-stakes litigation matters both domestic and international.

SCH is also a pre-eminent art law firm. Our full service art law practice provides counseling across many areas of law to galleries, institutions, artists, dealers, non-profits and collectors.

Our lawyers have the finest training and are dedicated to providing superior legal services in a responsive small firm environment.