Eric Forni is a leader in DLA Piper’s securities enforcement and commodities investigations practices and a member of its white-collar investigations practice. Eric also serves as a key advisor on cybersecurity and digital asset issues that may implicate federal and state securities-related regulatory matters or the False Claims Act.
To strategically advise clients facing the most sensitive and often mission-critical issues, Eric draws on the rare experience of serving as both an SEC senior trial and enforcement attorney and a white-collar crimes federal prosecutor, while also working closely with the FBI, FINRA, the CFTC, and state regulators. This unique background and insider knowledge enables Eric to provide practical and credible advice designed to evaluate all collateral considerations for individuals and entities responding to government investigations or companies and/or their Audit (or Special) Committees conducting sensitive internal investigations.
Specifically, Eric advises on:
- SEC and CFTC investigations, including those focused on digital assets and the SEC’s Cross-Border Task Force.
- State regulatory investigations, including State AGs, Departments of Insurance, and securities regulators, including those focused on data breaches.
- DOJ white collar criminal investigations.
- DOJ False Claims Act investigations focused on cybersecurity matters (e.g., NIST and CMMC-related compliance and DoD government contracts).
Eric also leverages his extensive experience as a civil litigator and first chair trial attorney at the SEC to credibly and successfully litigate state and federal civil cases while in private practice. Now, Eric regularly manages large teams that navigate senior government officials, board members, C-suite officers, and senior in-house counsel through complex litigation by creatively problem solving, anticipating issues and arguments before they arise, and providing comprehensive solutions.
Before joining DLA Piper, Eric served as a senior trial and enforcement attorney with the SEC for 15 years, where he developed a deep understanding of the SEC and the laws it enforces.
At the SEC, Eric coordinated parallel investigations with such agencies as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and worked on matters with the assistance of FINRA. Additionally, he was a member of the SEC's Market Abuse Unit, focusing on matters related to complex insider trading, broker-dealer and hedge fund conduct, and market manipulation. Eric also worked closely with the SEC’s Cross Border Working Group.
He also served as a Special Assistant US Attorney in the Securities, Financial and Cyber Fraud Unit at the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts, where he conducted federal jury trials in cases concerning conspiracy; securities, mail and wire fraud; witness tampering; false statements; and structuring. He also worked on all aspects of criminal prosecutions, including grand jury investigations and plea negotiations.
Eric is a recipient of the Paul R. Carey Award, a national award conferred by the SEC to recognize individuals with exceptional personal commitment and effectiveness, unquestioned integrity, unlimited enthusiasm, and unwavering dedication to the protection of the individual investor.
