Caz Hashemi

PALO ALTO - Caz Hashemi joined Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in 2000 and now serves as head of the litigation department. His practice focuses on white collar criminal defense, government investigations and internal investigations. Earlier, he worked at the Security and Exchange Commission's division of enforcement.

"I started at the SEC in civil enforcement, and I've built on that over the years," said Hashemi, who was with the commission from 1997 to 2000. "What I learned there has been the foundation of my practice. It was invaluable. It set my career in motion."

He said he's watched the SEC's enforcement efforts wax and wane over the years. "The aggressiveness level goes up and down, but they've been very aggressive these days with respect to companies as well as individuals."

Many of Hashemi's clients remain confidential. "Of course, a large part of my job is the matters we close without publicity," he said. "At the moment, four or five of my matters are at a critical stage where we are trying to convince the SEC not to bring charges."

Also on his docket are claims brought against clients under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. "The FCPA world is hot right now -- and all of those are nonpublic."

Hashemi is awaiting the outcome of his pending motion to dismiss charges against the former eBay chief communications officer, Steve Wymer, for whom he is lead counsel. Wymer is a defendant in highly publicized litigation asserting claims for damages in connection with a harassment campaign by eBay's security team against the plaintiffs, the creators of an online newsletter that covered the online marketplace, sometimes critically. Several eBay executives have pleaded guilty and been sentenced to prison time in the case. Steiner et al. v. eBay Inc., 21-cv- 11181 (D. Mass., filed July 21, 2021).

"Our client denies any knowledge of, or participation in, the harassment against the plaintiffs," Hashemi said. "There have been no criminal charges, only a civil complaint." His motion to dismiss Wymer from the action is fully briefed and awaits a ruling.

In litigation over a whistle-blower's complaint about the accounting practices of NortonLifeLock Inc., a leading maker of consumer cybersecurity software formerly known as Symantec Corp., Hashemi is lead counsel for the company in a publicly announced SEC investigation and a related securities class action. The plaintiff alleged damages of more than $1 billion; Hashemi assisted the parties reach a $70 million settlement. And the company has announced earlier this year that the SEC closed its investigation without commencing any enforcement action. SEB Investment Management AB v. Symantec Corp. et al., 3:18-cv-02902 (N.D. Cal., filed May 17, 2018).

"I'm busy and enjoying it," Hashemi said.