Overview
Joseph Montoya is an associate in the Litigation practice and is based in the firm's Los Angeles and San Diego offices. Mr. Montoya's practice focuses on a range of complex commercial litigation and securities and white collar litigation and investigation. Mr. Montoya represents both individuals and companies across numerous industries in federal and state courts, arbitration, and governmental investigations, including SEC, DOJ, and FTC investigations. Mr. Montoya has significant experience representing clients in all stages of litigation through trial.
Mr. Montoya earned his J.D. from Stanford Law School in 2018. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Loyola Marymount University, where he graduated magna cum laude. Mr. Montoya serves as a Co-Chair of the Paul Hastings Los Angeles Latino Affinity Network.
Mr. Montoya is admitted to practice law in California.
Accolades
Representations
- Representing a former partner from a "Big Four" accounting firm in parallel SEC and USAO investigations, as well as class action and derivative securities actions.
- Represented retired Rear Admiral Bruce Loveless in criminal action in federal court on alleged bribery and conspiracy charges. After a four month jury trial, the jury deadlocked on all charges against Mr. Loveless, resulting in a mistrial and the government’s eventual dismissal of its case against him. Of the 34 individuals the government pursued charges against relating to the “Fat Leonard” scandal, Mr. Loveless is the only individual not convicted.
- Represented accounting firm and one of its partners in an SEC investigation and parallel federal and state court actions, resulting in favorable settlement of the SEC investigation and federal court action and barring of state court claims.
- Represented educational day-trading company in FTC investigation, resulting in favorable settlement before litigation commenced.
- Represented one of the largest Hollywood talent agencies in a highly publicized dispute between the Writers Guild of America and the agencies, including in federal court litigation raising antitrust, RICO, labor, and business tort issues.
- Represented Mark Cuban, Nelson Obus, and Phillip Goldstein in connection with a constitutional challenge of the SEC's use of administrative law judges.
Engagement & Publications
- "How 2 High Court Cases Could Affect Gov't Admin Actions," Law360.com
- "The SEC Wants to Know Who's in your Clubhouse," Daily Journal (March 2021)
- "Scheme Liability in Securities Class Actions: The Uncertain Impact of Lorenzo v. Securities & Exchange Commission's Scope," AmericanBar.com