Law Firm Expands Securities Practice

Dugan and Bierman are both coming from the office of the New York State Comptroller. They will counsel pension fund managers on issues regarding the management of their investment portfolios including: fiduciary responsibility, ethical duties, strategic governance, compliance, and other organizational mandates. They will assist funds in conducting internal investigations and will work in collaboration with Cohen Milstein’s securities litigation team to help counsel funds on litigation matters, opt-outs, and lead plaintiff roles.

Dugan, the Special Counsel for Ethics to the New York State Comptroller from 2007-2011, will lead the new practice that aims to counsel pension funds on fiduciary, ethics, governance and compliance issues. She comes to the firm with more than two decades of legal experience; as Special Counsel she advised the State Comptroller and oversaw the Ethics Unit and program. She previously served as Acting Executive Director and Counsel to the New York State Ethics Commission where she was an attorney for 14 years. She is an elected member of the American Law Institute.  

Bierman, who served as General Counsel to the New York State Comptroller from 2007-2010, brings almost three decades of legal experience to Cohen Milstein. As General Counsel, he oversaw a legal staff of 85, including 55 attorneys who provided legal advice and counsel on all matters relating to the Comptroller’s constitutional and statutory responsibilities. 

“We are delighted to have Suzanne and Luke join our securities practice,” said Steven J. Toll, Managing Partner and Co-Chair of Cohen Milstein’s Securities Fraud & Investor Protection Practice Group. “They are both highly respected attorneys and their vast pension fund experience will help provide our clients with expert advice and guidance.”