Nathaniel P T Read

He/Him/His

Partner, New York

Nathaniel P T Read

He/Him/His

Partner, New York

Nathaniel P. T. Read is a skilled advocate with significant trial experience in federal and state courts and international and U.S. arbitration forums. Clients seek Nate’s expertise on all types of business disputes, particularly those involving securities, contracts, business torts, trademark and unfair competition, employment, real estate, and construction. He has also defended many products liability, mislabeling, antitrust, and other class actions for consumer products companies, telecommunications and other technology businesses, and major retailers. Nate has advised clients in Brazil, France, Israel, Italy, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and the UK regarding U.S. and international disputes, and has substantial acumen gathering evidence outside of the U.S. In addition, Nate has extensive experience representing both companies and individuals in white collar criminal and regulatory investigations and enforcement matters.

The Legal 500 U.S. guide has repeatedly recommended Nate for both commercial litigation and securities litigation, where he has been described as a “skilled tactician” and “trusted advisor” who “rolls his sleeves up and gets fully involved while keeping his eye firmly on the bigger picture.” Nate has also been named a New York Super Lawyer for Business Litigation each year beginning in 2016.

Nate graduated magna cum laude from New York University School of Law, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif and a Florence Allen Scholar. He received his B.A. in theatre studies from Swarthmore College. Before joining the firm, Nate practiced in the New York offices of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP and Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP.

Nate is Co-Chair of Cohen & Gresser’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee. He is proficient in Spanish.

Nathaniel P. T. Read is a skilled advocate with significant trial experience in federal and state courts and international and U.S. arbitration forums. Clients…

Education

New York University School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 2001); Swarthmore College (B.A. 1995)

Bar Admissions

New York State; U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

Activities and Affiliations

Member, American Bar Association (Litigation and Criminal Justice Sections)

Member, New York City Bar Association (Federal Courts Committee and Litigation Committee)

Member, Federal Bar Council

Commercial Litigation

Obtained complete victory for a premiere beauty and fragrance company through a consent judgment agreed during trial in trademark and unfair competition action arising from the sale of counterfeit and defaced goods.

Represented Fortune Global 500 electronics manufacturing and services firm in bench trial of breach of contract claims against airplane dealer. Court ruled for Plaintiff (our client), finding two defense witnesses not credible and awarding all damages sought.

Defending major multinational retailer in a consumer class action alleging misrepresentations on product labels.

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Securities Litigation

Winning dismissal and affirmance by the Second Circuit of a federal securities class action alleging that the trading prices of a Brazilian mining company’s bonds were inflated due to misrepresentations of environmental risks.

Obtained summary judgment for an investment management company in a suit alleging securities and professional malpractice claims in connection with investments of deferred compensation in an estate enhancement product funded by split-dollar variable life insurance.

Represented a major financial institution in class certification discovery in connection with a $1.2 billion class action litigation, ultimately obtaining summary judgment on behalf of client.

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White Collar Defense

Represent former CFO of a multinational insurance provider in an SEC investigation relating to the company’s accounting practices.

Represent former Chief Accounting Officer of a publicly-traded real estate investment trust in a purported class action asserting securities fraud related to alleged “income smoothing” as well as in related SEC and DOJ investigations.

Represented individual in public-integrity investigation, avoiding any charges.

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Cohen & Gresser is pleased to announce that 30 of the firm's lawyers are included on the 2023 New York Metro Super Lawyers list and 11 lawyers are included on the 2023 New York Metro Rising Stars list across a range of practice areas.

Super Lawyers named C&G co­founder Mark S. Cohen one of the Top 10 lawyers in the New York metropolitan area. Partners Jonathan S. Abernethy and Karen H. Bromberg have also been named to the Super Lawyers list of the Top 100 lawyers in the New York metropolitan area. Additionally, Karen has been recognized as one of the Top 50 women lawyers within the same region.

Super Lawyers and Rising Stars are annual lists of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Only 5 percent of the lawyers in each state are selected as Super Lawyers, and only 2.5 percent are selected as Rising Stars.

The C&G lawyers recognized on the New York Metro Super Lawyers list are:

The C&G lawyers recognized on the New York Metro Rising Stars list are:

Cohen & Gresser is pleased to announce that 38 of the firm's New York and Washington D.C.­based attorneys have been named to the 2021 Super Lawyers List across a wide range of practice areas. C&G co­founder Mark S Cohen and partners Jonathan S Abernethy and Daniel H Tabak have also been named to the Super Lawyers list of the top 100 lawyers in the New York metropolitan area, and partner Karen H Bromberg has been recognized as one of the top 50 women lawyers in the New York metropolitan area. Super Lawyers ranks outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Only five percent of the lawyers in each state are selected as Super Lawyers, and only 2.5 percent are selected as Rising Stars. Super Lawyers Jonathan S Abernethy: Criminal Defense: White Collar Kwaku Andoh: Mergers & Acquisitions Elizabeth Bernhardt: Business Litigation Thomas E Bezanson: Personal Injury – Products: Defense Colin C Bridge: Criminal Defense: White Collar Karen H Bromberg: Intellectual Property Jason Brown: Criminal Defense: White Collar Damir Cefo: Intellectual Property Litigation Joanna K Chan: Securities Litigation Mark S Cohen: Business Litigation S Gale Dick: Business Litigation Christian R Everdell: Criminal Defense: White Collar Lawrence T Gresser: Business Litigation Oliver S Haker: Business Litigation Johannes Jonas: Mergers & Acquisitions Nicholas J Kaiser: Real Estate Jeffrey I. Lang: Business Litigation Melissa H Maxman: Antitrust Litigation Ellen Paltiel: General Litigation Nathaniel P T Read: Business Litigation Bonnie J Roe: Securities & Corporate Finance Stephen M Sinaiko: Business Litigation C Evan Stewart: Securities Litigation Daniel H Tabak: Business Litigation Scott D Thomson: Business Litigation Alexandra Wald: Business Litigation Ronald F Wick: Antitrust Litigation Rising Stars Luke Appling: Civil Litigation Sharon L Barbour: Criminal Defense: White Collar Drew S Dean: General Litigation William Kalema: Business Litigation Sri Kuehnlenz: Civil Litigation Winnifred A Lewis: Securities Litigation Marvin J Lowenthal: Criminal Defense: White Collar Barbara K Luse: Criminal Defense: White Collar Matthew V Povolny: Business Litigation Benjamin Zhu: Criminal Defense: White Collar
International law firm Cohen & Gresser has been once again recognized in The Legal 500 United States. The 2021 guide highlights C&G for its financial services strength – emphasizing the firm’s “understanding of complex financial products and the operations of the financial services sector” – and its “extensive experience in jury and bench trials at the federal and state level.”

Client commentary highlights C&G as “a cut above” and “very effective at knowing their audience, staying on message, and telling a persuasive and winning story.”

The Legal 500 has recognized C&G in both the Advice to Individuals category and Advice to Corporates category of the Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense section. The guide notes the practice’s deep bench that “includes former federal and state prosecutors, and former in-house attorneys, many of whom are active litigators, and have unique experience of federal enforcement bodies.”

C&G has also been recognized in the General Commercial Disputes category. The practice stands out for its capacity to handle “a diverse range of commercial disputes across numerous industries, including finance, software, technology and healthcare” and its ability to “handle complex, sophisticated matters in a cost-effective manner.”

For the ninth consecutive year, C&G has been recognized by The Legal 500 in the Securities Litigation: Defense category for its “work on the defense of broker-dealers, investment advisors, hedge funds, and private equity funds in securities litigation and FINRA arbitrations.”

In addition, Mark S Cohen is once again ranked as a “Leading Lawyer” for Securities Litigation: Defense. One client describes Mark as “one of the best trial lawyers I have seen” and goes on to recognize him for his professionalism, responsiveness, excellent judgment, and high-quality work.

Recognized Practices:

  • Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense: Advice to Individuals
  • Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense: Advice to Corporates
  • General Commercial Disputes
  • Securities Litigation: Defense
Recognized Individuals:

Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense General Commercial Disputes Securities Litigation: Defense

Cohen & Gresser is pleased to announce that 35 of the firm's New York and Washington D.C.­based attorneys have been named to the 2020 Super Lawyers List across a wide range of practice areas. C&G co-­founder Mark S Cohen and partners Jonathan S Abernethy and Daniel H Tabak have also been named to the Super Lawyers list of the top 100 lawyers in the New York metropolitan area, and partner Karen H Bromberg has been recognized as one of the top 50 women lawyers in the New York metropolitan area.
The Legal 500 has once again recognized Cohen & Gresser in its United States guide. The firm is recognized for its excellence in the following categories:
  • Corporate Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense: Advice to Individuals
  • Corporate Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense: Advice to Corporates
  • General Commercial Disputes
  • Securities Litigation: Defense
Mark S Cohen is ranked as a “Leading Lawyer” for Securities Litigation: Defense and is described as “an outstanding trial lawyer and strategist who has excellent judgment.” The Legal 500 also notes that “[t]he Cohen & Gresser team does extremely high quality work” and that C&G is “a go-to firm for managing complex disputes.”
We are pleased to announce that 33 of our New York and Washington D.C.-based C&G attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers this year across a wide range of practice areas. Super Lawyers also selected C&G co-founder Mark S Cohen and partners Jonathan S Abernethy and Daniel H Tabak to its list of the top 100 lawyers in the New York metropolitan area, and partner Karen H Bromberg to its list of the top 50 women lawyers in the New York metropolitan area.
The Legal 500 has once again recognized Cohen & Gresser in its United States guide. The firm is recognized for its excellence in the following categories:
  • Corporate Investigations/White Collar
  • Corporate Investigations/White Collar – Advice to Individuals
  • General Commercial Disputes
  • Securities Litigation Defense
The Legal 500 notes that C&G has “impressive cross border capabilities and is often retained by clients in multijurisdictional disputes” and that our disputes team members are “true litigators, focused, and thoughtful - no stone is left unturned.”
We are pleased to announce that thirty of our New York and Washington, D.C.-based C&G attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers this year across a wide range of practice areas. Super Lawyers also selected C&G co-founders Mark S Cohen and Lawrence T Gresser to its list of the top 100 lawyers in the New York metropolitan area, and partners Karen H Bromberg and Alexandra Wald as two of its top 50 women lawyers in New York. Super Lawyers ranks outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Fewer than five percent of all lawyers in the U.S. receive this honor.
The Legal 500 has once again recognized Cohen & Gresser in its United States guide. The firm is recognized for its achievements in the following categories:
  • Corporate Investigations/White Collar – Advice to Corporates
  • Corporate Investigations/White Collar – Advice to Individuals
  • General Commercial Disputes
  • Securities Litigation Defense
The Legal 500 notes that C&G has “an excellent group of sophisticated lawyers” and "has the ability to explain complex structures in plain English.” Nine C&G partners were individually recognized in the guide.
Twenty-eight of our New York and Washington D.C.-based Cohen & Gresser attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers this year across a wide range of practice areas. Super Lawyers also named C&G co-founding partner Mark S Cohen to its list of the top 100 lawyers in the New York metropolitan area, and partners Karen H Bromberg and Alexandra Wald to its top 50 women lawyers in New York list. Super Lawyers ranks outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Fewer than five percent of all lawyers in the U.S. receive this honor.
Chambers USA and The Legal 500's United States guides have recognized Cohen & Gresser and a number of the firm's lawyers for outstanding achievements during the past year in the categories of Commercial Litigation, Securities Litigation, Patents, and Corporate Investigations and White Collar Defense.
Twenty-two of our New York and Washington, D.C.-based attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers this year across a wide range of practice areas. Super Lawyers also named C&G co-founding partners Mark S Cohen and Lawrence T Gresser to its list of the top 100 lawyers in the New York metropolitan area, and partner Karen H Bromberg to both its list of top 50 women lawyers and top 100 lawyers in the New York metropolitan area.

Law360 covers U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan’s partially granted motion to dismiss LBF Travel Inc.’s suit against defendants Fareportal Inc. and WK Travel Inc., who are represented by C&G partner, Nathaniel P.T. Read, and associates Joyce E. Kung and Mina S. Reiman. 

This article addresses Amazon’s recent launch of Amazon Giveaways, a self-service sweepstakes promotion tool that will likely result in thousands of sweepstakes that are subject to an identical set of terms and conditions.  The article explains how this flood of sweepstakes is likely to shift perceptions of what constitutes a lawful sweepstakes in the social media age, particularly in terms of acceptable methods of entry, such as requiring participants to follow the sponsor on Twitter.

Recent precedents constructing "notice" provisions in employment agreements suggest that quitting is not so simple. Such provisions have recently come to the fore as potential mechanisms for employers to place limits on competition by departing employees.

This alert examines how counsel for non-party individuals or entities subject to arbitration subpoenas can protect their clients.

This article seeks to manage the expectations of senior executives, companies, and their counsel in light of the recent wave of lawsuits and criminal investigations of the officers and directors of failed banks as well as those who did business with them.

Nathaniel P T Read participated in a panel, titled “Overseas Evidence Gathering,” at a Federal Bar Council CLE program. In addition to discussing the methods by which U.S. litigators obtain evidence in foreign jurisdictions for U.S. legal proceedings, the panel offered practice pointers and suggestions for obtaining favorable results while navigating the challenges of foreign legal mechanisms.