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About Keith
Recognized by his peers for his ability to understand, communicate and litigate complex financial matters, Keith Blackman has successfully defended some of the nation’s largest multinational institutions in commercial disputes over his 20-year career. Keith not only performs the role of zealous advocate prepared to litigate any case to trial and beyond, but he is also a trusted counselor who understands that scorched-earth litigation often is not the most profitable solution.
Keith frequently defends financial services institutions and other commercial clients in cases alleging fraud, racketeering, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract and securities law violations. Regularly appearing in trial and appellate courts throughout the country, Keith is also a frequent advocate before Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration panels.
Apart from his financial services litigation practice, Keith advises clients on cryptocurrency and blockchain issues, as well as environmental, social and governance (ESG) litigation. Prior to joining Bracewell, Keith also had substantial experience litigating tax disputes, intellectual property disputes and white-collar cases.
Keith is a graduate of Harvard Law School and received his B.A. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania.
Experience
Recent Notable Matters
Multinational Media Company — obtained complete dismissal of RICO and antitrust lawsuit brought in New York federal court
Global Investment Bank — achieved favorable settlement on behalf of financial institution sued by former customer alleging fraud and RICO claims worth more than $600 million in damages
Global Investment Bank — defending financial institution client in Illinois state court against $130 million fraud claim brought by disgruntled participant in unsuccessful tax shelter
Financial Institution — defending residential mortgage banking company against indemnification claims brought by multinational investment bank that sold residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBSs)
Global Investment Bank — obtained summary judgment dismissing all claims arising from plaintiffs’ unsuccessful participation in tax strategy. The dismissal was affirmed on appeal to the Seventh Circuit
Global Investment Bank — following a 20-day FINRA arbitration spanning 11 months in Newark, filed by four consolidated parties seeking damages in excess of $35 million, obtained denial of all claims*
Global Investment Bank — Obtained dismissal of numerous multi-million dollar fraud and breach of fiduciary duty claims brought by participants in unsuccessful tax shelters, in state and federal trial and appellate courts, as well as before FINRA arbitration panels*
* Work completed prior to Bracewell
Publications and Speeches
"There Ought to Be a Law Before Enforcing Unwritten Crypto Rules," Bloomberg Law, July 7, 2023.
"Cryptocurrency Litigation Updates," 1st Annual Web3 Legal Conference, April 7, 2022.