Kristie M. Blase concentrates her practice on complex commercial litigation, white-collar and securities enforcement, internal investigations, and risk management. She regularly advises on and litigates employment-related issues, including non-competes, non-solicits, trade secrets, compensation, and finders’ fees. She is a strategic business partner with her clients and seeks creative solutions to resolve disputes.

Prior to joining the firm, Kristie served as a partner and chair of the Global Regulatory Group in the New York City office of an international law firm. She has more than 15 years of experience advising private and public companies, their directors and officers, and financial services industry clients on risk avoidance, compliance, corporate governance, and litigation management.

Kristie has a strong commitment to pro bono service. She was the lead attorney with the NYCLU in the historic settlement of a class action seeking systemic reform of the public defense system in New York State that led to major changes across the State.

Earlier in her legal career, Kristie practiced at Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP in New York and worked in-house at Och-Ziff Capital Management.

Professional Activities

• New York City Bar Association
• New York City Bar Association, Professional Responsibility Committee, Secretary, 2021-Present
• State Bar of Texas
• Columbian Lawyers Association of the First Department

Representative Matters

• Provided strategic counsel to senior executives in separation negotiations involving equity compensation and non-compete clauses.
• Handled lease enforcement and commercial eviction litigation for retail property owners and landlords.
• Represented investors in fraud claims against fund promotors and managers and obtained full recovery for investors.
• Represented investors and funds as witnesses and victims in federal criminal fraud cases and obtained positive recoveries through restitution for clients.
• Represented numerous individual and institutional investors in disputes against funds and fund managers; obtained judgments and settlements making investors whole.
• Represented biotech-focused private equity fund in 13D and proxy fight litigation in Delaware Chancery Court and U.S. District Court; obtained TRO to stop challenged transaction.
• Represented multinational telecommunications company in bribery and corruption investigations (internal and governmental) in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, resulting in no action taken by US or UK regulators.
• Represented large private real estate investment company in multiple disputes with former joint venture partner, ending in positive global settlement of all disputes for client.
• Represented the investment advisor arm of a national bank in connection with an SEC investigation concerning alleged disclosure violations, resulting in no action taken by the SEC.
• Represented offshore fund directors in connection with SEC and DOJ investigations.
• Represented private company in DOJ, DOL, and ICE employment investigations and settlement.

Note: This list includes engagements completed prior to joining Felicello Law.