Levan Friedman Partners to address NASD Institute About Conducting Internal Investigations

Philadelphia, Pa.—April 4, 2006—Richard A. Levan and Joel M. Friedman, partners of the Philadelphia law firm Levan Friedman LLP, will speak on “Conducting Internal Investigations” on April 6, 2006, at the NASD Institute in New York City.  Their presentation, at the Coleman Center, is part of a two-day course for compliance officers, attorneys, and regulatory, human resources and financial professionals. 

Mr. Levan is a leading authority on the legal and regulatory obligations of Investment Advisors and Broker-Dealers, with extensive experience in both the government and private sectors.  Before establishing Levan Friedman, Mr. Levan was a partner at Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, where he co-chaired both the firm’s Securities Litigation and Regulation Group and its Financial Services Integration Group.  He has also served as a senior official in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Philadelphia office and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.   

In addition to his extensive compliance and counseling background, Mr. Levan has over 24 years' experience handling civil and criminal cases initiated by such entities as the U.S. Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, state securities regulators and self-regulatory organizations such as the NASD, the New York Stock Exchange, and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange.

Mr. Friedman has had a distinguished 28-year career at the U.S. Department of Justice, capped by 22 years as the Chief Prosecutor in charge of Organized Crime prosecutions for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.  He also served as the Deputy U.S. Attorney and Chief Ethics Officer for the U.S. Attorney’s office in Philadelphia. Before Philadelphia, he was assigned by the Organized Crime section of the Justice Department to the Southern District of New York and then Boston.  Prior to establishing the firm with Mr. Levan, Mr. Friedman was a partner at Dilworth Paxson LLP in Philadelphia, where he headed the firm’s White Collar Practice Group.  He regularly represents corporations and individuals in civil, regulatory and criminal matters and works with companies to design and implement effective compliance programs.

Levan Friedman LLP focuses particularly on the legal and compliance needs of the financial services industry, with particular emphasis on Securities Litigation, SEC and NASD Enforcement Proceedings, Internal Investigations, Investment Adviser Regulation, Broker-Dealer Regulation and Compliance Counseling and Training.