People

Overview

Charles Strecker's practice focuses on securities and shareholder litigation, auditor defense, and highly complex commercial disputes. Charles has extensive experience with high-stakes litigation requiring a deep understanding of financial, accounting, and corporate governance issues. Charles' clients range from individual entrepreneurs to some of the world's largest businesses.

Since the financial crisis of 2008, Charles has represented issuers, officers, directors, and auditors in securities litigation and shareholder disputes throughout the country, including the defense of multiple billion-dollar claims.

A key focus for Charles is the representation of accounting firms, auditors, tax specialists, and other professionals in connection with investigations conducted by the PCAOB, the SEC, and multiple state regulators. Charles also advises professional service firms regarding their policies and procedures, including their systems of quality control and internal audit guidance. Charles has published on PCAOB-related topics in multiple industry journals, including Accounting Today and Bloomberg Law.

In addition, Charles has a diverse commercial litigation practice with deep experience in Texas as well as courts throughout the country.

Admission & Affiliations

  • State Bar of Texas
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
  • Dallas Bar Association
  • J.D., Washington University School of Law 2008
    cum laude
    Associate Editor, Journal of Law & Policy
  • B.A., Cornell University 2005
    magna cum laude

Experience

Securities Litigation & Shareholder Disputes

  • Major oilfield services company – defense of decade-long billion-dollar securities fraud class action in the Northern District of Texas concerning contingent liabilities, construction contracts, and business combination plans.
  • Big Four accounting firm – defense of securities class action in the Southern District of New York concerning accounting for environmental liabilities
  • Major rent-to-own company – defense of securities class action pending in the Eastern District of Texas; defunded derivative suits in the Eastern DIstrict of Texas and Dallas County District Court
  • Big Four accounting firm – representation in internal investigation related to work on high-profile energy project
  • Oilfield services company – defense of Section 11 securities class action in Dallas County District Court
  • International retailer – defense of shareholder derivative claims concerning executive compensation
  • Major oilfield services company – defense of complex claim under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act

Auditor Defense & Professional Liability

  • Multiple major accounting and audit firms - representation before regulators including the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy, ranging from matters closed within months to matters pending for nearly a decade; and multiple matters in which the regulator has issued closing letters declining to pursue charges despite lengthy investigations
  • Major accounting firm – defense of malpractice claims related to tax and advisory services
  • International law firm – received dismissal of lawsuit alleging fraud and breach of contract in connection with an arbitration proceeding
  • International law firm – representation in connection with motion to disqualify firm from representing key client in major litigation

Complex Business & Financial Disputes

  • International energy company – secured plaintiff summary judgment in drag-along rights litigation in support of one of the largest bankruptcies ever filed
  • International technology company – represented company in international arbitration involving nine-figure claims of fraud and unjust enrichment
  • International mining company – fraudulent transfer litigation and related proceedings in federal bankruptcy court
  • Offshore drilling services company – defense of fraudulent transfer action in bankruptcy court
  • Liquidators of offshore private equity fund – pursued claims against multiple entities and individuals who received $50 million in asset-backed loans
  • Private equity company – breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and tortious interference litigation involving the development of complex detection technology for biological and chemical warfare agents
  • Natural gas exploration company – defense of claims involving fraud, negligent representation and breach of fiduciary duty in connection with an asset sale
  • Waste disposal company – defense and prosecution of claims arising out of a construction project
  • Regional food services company – prosecution of claims arising out of electronic data breach

Pro Bono

  • Representation of West Dallas residents – tried common law and statutory nuisance claims against owners of dangerous property


Awards and Community

Recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer-Rising Star (Thomson Reuters), 2018

Recognized in "Best Lawyers Under 40" by D Magazine, 2020