Securities Arbitration & Investment Fraud Attorney

Associate Attorney
Levin, Papantonio, Thomas, Mitchell, Rafferty & Proctor, P.A.
Phone: 850.435.7000
Fax: 850.435.7020
316 South Baylen Street, Suite 600
Pensacola, Florida 32502

www.levinlaw.com

James L. Kauffman is an associate attorney with the Pensacola, Florida, law firm of Levin, Papantonio, Thomas, Mitchell, Rafferty, & Proctor.  He is a member of the Business Torts Department and his practice focuses primarily upon representing individuals and entities seeking financial recovery for losses suffered from securities fraud.  Mr. Kauffman’s areas of expertise include complex class action litigation in the areas of securities fraud, corporate governance, and consumer protection.  He has represented investors from across the country and speaks regularly on issues related to securities litigation.  His practice includes representing whistleblowers, consumers, employees, investors, municipalities and pension funds in complex business litigation. 

Notably, Mr. Kauffman represented shareholders in one of the largest securities litigation in history, In re Initial Public Offerings Security Litigation (21 MC 92) (SDNY), a case that involved 309 tech-bubble IPOs and 55 investment brokerage defendants and recovered $586 million. 

Prior to attending law school, Mr. Kauffman worked as a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley.  At Morgan Stanley, he received comprehensive training and work experience in the brokerage business, which assists Mr. Kauffman in representing his clients in financial and securities related disputes.

Mr. Kauffman graduated with Honors from the University of Florida Levin College or Law in 2002.  During his law school career, Mr. Kauffman assisted pro se litigants as an intern in the Virgil C. Hawkins Civil Clinic, and was awarded the Book Award, recognizing him as the top student in Trial Practice.

Mr. Kauffman is a regular speaker at business tort seminars and also on nationally syndicated radio shows, including the Ed Schulz Show, Thom Hartmann and Ring of Fire, covering topics such as Dodd-Frank, Auction Rate Securities, ERISA, and whistleblower protection.  Mr. Kauffman is a member of the Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association, also known as PIABA

Mr. Kauffman’s representative cases include:

In Re Initial Public Offering Securities Litigation (21 MC 92) (S.D.N.Y.)

Represented shareholders against 309 IPO companies and 55 investment banks in one of the largest securities fraud litigations in history.  $586 million recovery.

Spinelli v. Capital One Bank (USA), No. 8:08-132-T-33EAJ (M.D. Fla.)

Represented credit card holders against credit card bank for deceptive trade practices.  $250 million recovery.

In Re Semtech Corp. Securities Litigation, Case no. 2:07-07114-CAS (C.D. Cal.)

Represented shareholders against semiconductor supplier company in connection with the backdating of employee stock option grants.  $20 million recovery.

Intermountain Ironworkers Trust Fund v. Todd Farha, et al., Case Nos. 07-015349, 07-015846 (Fla. Cir. Ct.) (“WellCare Health Plans Derivative Litigation”)

Represented shareholders against certain officers and directors who participated in a massive Medicare fraud.  Resulted in significant corporate reforms and removal of CEO, CFO and General Counsel.

www.stockbrokerattorney.com

Areas of Practice:

• Securities Litigation
• Antitrust Litigation
• Whistleblower
• Qui Tam
• Class Actions

Bar Admissions:

• Florida
• Arkansas
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Florida
• U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Arkansas
• U.S. District Court Western District of Arkansas

Education:

• University of Florida Levin College of Law, Gainesville, FL, 2002 J.D. cum laude
• University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 1998 B.S.B.A. Dual Major: Finance and Insurance

Professional Affiliations:

• Florida Bar Association
• Arkansas Bar Association, former officer, Securities section
• American Bar Association