Brian F. Amery

Brian F. Amery has dedicated almost four decades to creating a law firm that people respect, trust, and depend on. Since co-founding Bressler Amery & Ross, Brian has utilized his entrepreneurial mindset, business acumen, and legal experience to benefit his clients and colleagues alike. He has instilled a client-first, business-oriented approach in all the lawyers who have worked alongside him, helping to grow the firm from a small boutique in the early 1980s to the national presence it enjoys today. Brian believes that his clients deserve the very best and strives for excellence every day, and in every matter.

As chair emeritus of Bressler and during his tenure as Managing Principal and leader of the Executive Committee, the firm expanded by opening five new offices across four states and significantly enhanced its practice offerings. Brian developed and implemented strategies that have fostered continued growth and profitability. Under his strategic direction, Bressler Amery & Ross has earned numerous industry awards and accolades, establishing a prominent national presence.

Brian has always had a keen interest in business. He received both his undergraduate and MBA degrees from Ohio University, where he focused on finance. After graduating from Georgetown Law, he began his legal career in the litigation department at Merrill Lynch, where he cultivated his passion for the financial services sector and securities litigation.

Throughout his 40-year career, Brian has committed himself to representing clients in the financial services industry. While his focus is on securities-related litigation, his experience also includes representing brokerage firms in various employment-related claims brought by financial advisers, managers, and staff. These claims have involved wrongful termination, discrimination based on age, race, or gender, and "burned my book" litigation. Additionally, he has represented organizations in class action cases concerning race discrimination and wage and hour issues.

Known for his problem-solving abilities, Brian has developed in-depth knowledge of both the business and legal challenges faced by the financial industry. Many general counsels seek his advice to resolve their most complex issues, appreciating his practical, business-oriented approach to developing solutions for difficult cases and regulatory matters. Additionally, Brian offers clients risk management counseling on business issues, leveraging insights gained from his experience as a former General Counsel and Senior Officer of a commodity trading and brokerage firm.

Experience

• Lead counsel in a potential $500 million litigation exposure resulting from the sale of complex investment products . Developed the overall strategy for litigating and otherwise resolving the litigation, substantially reducing the client’s exposure.
• Successfully tried a matter for 12 days in which the customer sought over $50 million in damages and rescission in connection with the purchase of hundreds of millions of dollars in auction rate securities. The FINRA panel of arbitrators dismissed all damage claims, only requiring the firm to buy back the remaining securities held by the customer which were then trading at a 10% discount to par. 
• Lead counsel for client in a six week jury trial involving a $40 million annuity investment.
• Represented client in FINRA firm-wide mutual fund share class investigation.
• Represented client before the SEC in investment adviser investigation.
• Successfully developed the litigation strategy for handling hundreds of cases resulting from the sale of a leverage municipal bond product representing $200 million in potential exposure to the client and successful managing the litigation exposure through selectively trying and settling cases.
• Acted as co-head of a team of outside counsel involved in defending thousands of cases filed against a client and developed the litigation strategy and standardized documentation to facilitate the cost efficient and successful resolution of the mass litigation.
• Successfully handled a number of substantial auction rate securities arbitrations before FINRA for a major Wall Street firm representing over $200 million in exposure.

News & Alerts

Speaking Engagements & Events

Articles & Publications

Professional Affiliations

• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, New Jersey State Bar Association, Securities Litigation & Regulatory Enforcement Committee
• Member, New York State Bar Association Broker/Dealer Committee
• Former Adjunct Instructor, Ohio University and George Mason University, Corporate Finance and Business Management
• Member, Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) Compliance and Legal Society

Awards & Honors

• Recognized in the Chambers USA Guide to "America's Leading Lawyers for Business," Litigation: Securities, 2022-2024

This award is conferred by Chambers & Partners. A description of the selection methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

• Included in the list of the Best Lawyers in America,^® 2020-2025

This award is conferred by Best Lawyers. A description of the selection methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.      

• Selected to the list of Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent Lawyers

This award is conferred by Martindale-Hubbell. A description of the selection methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. 

• Recipient of NJBIZ's "ICON Award," 2022

This award is conferred by NJBIZ, a publication of Bridge Tower Media. A description of the selection methodology is available here.  No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

• Selected to the list of New Jersey Super Lawyers, 2005-2022

New Jersey Super Lawyers is conferred by Thomson Reuters. A description of the selection methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.      

• Selected to the list of New York Metro Super Lawyers, 2005-2022

New York Metro Super Lawyers is conferred by Thomson Reuters. A description of the selection methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.      

Get to Know Brian

In his spare time, Brian enjoys playing golf, skiing, paddle, and playing tennis. He is a history enthusiast and actively participates in several charitable organizations, especially causes that are aimed at making a big difference in the lives of children in need.