Biography
Alejandro Cruz is a Partner in the Firm’s Litigation department. Mr. Cruz represents clients in complex commercial litigation, as well as in arbitrations, mediations, and investigations. His practice includes representing lawyers and law firms accused of legal malpractice, companies accused of antitrust violations, and financial institutions in a broad range of litigations, as well as disputes involving transactions and ownership of fine art. Mr. Cruz also defends clients in government investigations by federal and state agencies, as well as representing boards of directors and board committees of public companies in investigations and shareholder disputes. In addition, as a member of the Firm’s Privacy and Data Security group, Mr. Cruz advises clients on a wide array of cybersecurity and privacy issues, including incident response, ransomware, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation. In 2020, the New York Law Journal named Mr. Cruz a “Rising Star,” a designation recognizing “the region’s most promising lawyers ages 40 and under.” In 2023, Benchmark Litigation recognized Mr. Cruz as a “Future Star” for New York in Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC’s Guide.
Mr. Cruz also maintains an active pro bono practice, which has included federal civil rights litigation involving the First, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments, the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, as well as defending eviction proceedings and other housing disputes. In 2016, Mr. Cruz received the Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project’s Champion of Justice Award for his commitment to pro bono service. Mr. Cruz is a member of the board of directors of Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, a nonprofit legal services organization that provides support, advocacy and high quality civil legal representation to poor and low-income families and individuals in New York state. He also sits on the board of directors of White Plains Hospital and the Hudson River School of Music, as well as the board of advisors for the Dartmouth College Center for Social Impact.
Prior to joining the Firm, Mr. Cruz served as a law clerk to the Honorable Eric N. Vitaliano of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York from 2011 to 2012, and prior to that practiced at a New York law firm.
Represented a European bank in connection with an industry-wide investigation into alleged manipulation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (Libor) and the Euro Interbank Offered Rate (Euribor).
Represented financial guarantors in complex contract and fraud actions against sponsors and underwriters of mortgage-backed securities.
Represented a European bank in connection with an industry-wide investigation into alleged manipulation of ISDAFIX, a benchmark rate for interest-rate swaps and options.
Represented a European bank in connection with a consolidated class action alleging violations of the Sherman Act and the Commodity Exchange Act based on alleged collusion and manipulation of ISDAFIX.
Represented a national law firm and one of its partners against malpractice claims by the executor of an estate arising from the theft and conversation of the estate’s assets.
Secured summary judgment for a chocolate maker in an antitrust price fixing case, and successfully defended that judgment on appeal.
Secured pre-trial and appellate victories for a Big Four accounting firm in multiple actions alleging securities fraud, malpractice, and unfair business practices.
Represented an individual in an investigation by the SEC regarding auditor independence under the federal securities laws.
Represented a non-for-profit arts organization in an investigation by the New York Attorney General.
Pro Bono
Represented a Muslim organization subject to religious discrimination when it was denied a land use permit to establish a house of worship in New Jersey.
Represented a prisoner in a civil rights and medical malpractice action against a private prison medical provider for denial of medical care.
Represented putative class of children with disabilities in civil rights litigation seeking relief under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Represented individual in Bronx County Family Court in proceeding for an order of protection arising from domestic violence.
Represent individuals in housing court and administrative housing proceedings in Westchester County in partnership with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley.
- U.S. District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York
- New York
HONORS: Listed as a “Future Star” for New York in Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC’s Benchmark Litigation’s 2023 Guide; Named as a “Rising Star” by the New York Law Journal (2020)
MEMBERSHIPS: Board of Directors, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley; Board of Directors, White Plains Hospital; Board of Advisors, Dartmouth College Center for Social Impact.