Insider trading is a serious securities fraud violation, which has significant civil and criminal penalties.
In recent years, the SEC and the Courts have expanded the definition of insider trading, which can now include trading insiders, and those who get information from insiders, and even the random man in the street if the SEC believes that he obtained the information from someone who should not have the information. See SECLaw Blog posts on insider trading for more information.
While many people, including myself, believe this has gone too far (See, SEC needs to be reigned in on the expansion of insider trading liability)
The SEC takes insider trading very seriously. If you are found guilty, the total fines and penalties imposed after trial are over THREE TIMES the profit the SEC claims you made. And that is profit, without deducting any losses.
The attorneys in my firm are all former SEC Staff attorneys and brokerage firm attorneys. With over 100 years of combined experience, the overwhelming majority of that time in securities litigation, we have seen it all and litigated it all.
We have represented targets and witnesses in hundreds of SEC and FINRA investigations. If you receive a subpoena from the SEC, you need to speak to us BEFORE you talk to the SEC. Call our office at 212-509-6544 to discuss how we can help you. My partners and I have successfully resolved dozens of insider trading investigations for clients nationwide.
Remember, Martha Stewart did not go to jail for insider trading; she went to jail for lying to investigators.
Visit Sallah Astarita & Cox, and New York Securities Lawyer
Mark J. Astarita, Esq. is a securities lawyer who represents investors, financial professionals and firms in litigation, arbitration and regulatory matters across the country. He is a partner in the national securities law firm of Sallah Astarita & Cox, LLC and can be reached by email at mja@sallahlaw.com or by phone at 212-509-6544.
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Last updated on January 29th, 2026
Mark Astarita is a nationally recognized securities attorney, who represents investors, financial professionals and firms in securities litigation, arbitration and regulatory matters, including SEC and FINRA investigations and enforcement proceedings.
He is a partner in the national securities law firm Sallah Astarita & Cox, LLC, and the founder of The Securities Law Home Page - SECLaw.com, which was one of the first legal topic sites on the Internet. It went online in 1995 and is updated daily with news, commentary and securities law related links.
