Jeffrey D. Coren

Special Counsel Buffalo

Jeff is an experienced litigator who concentrates in complex commercial litigation, bankruptcy adversary proceedings, international disputes, non-compete agreements, cybersecurity incidents and disputes involving cryptocurrency.

Jeff focuses on business litigation, shareholder disputes, derivative actions, breach of contract, business fraud, judgment enforcement, commercial real estate disputes and construction litigation. He regularly represents secured lenders and other creditors in bankruptcy adversary proceedings. He also represents clients concerning non-compete and non-solicitation agreements.

Jeff is also experienced in international disputes, including international arbitration proceedings, disputes involving foreign parties, cross-border discovery, customs litigation and enforcing foreign judgments. He is co-chair of the International Law Committee of the Bar Association of Erie County and is admitted as a Foreign Legal Consultant in Ontario, Canada and at the U.S. Court of International Trade.

Jeff also counsels clients concerning data privacy laws and regulations. He assists clients in response to data breaches, ransomware, cyberattacks, business email compromise and other data security incidents. He also represents clients in litigation related to cybersecurity, cryptocurrency and other digital assets.

Prior to joining Phillips Lytle, Jeff practiced in the litigation group at Gibson Dunn LLP.

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Honors & Awards

  • Named to Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch®
  • Named Upstate New York Super Lawyers® Rising Star, 2020
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Education & Admissions

Education
  • University of Pennsylvania Law School, J.D., 2009
  • Duke University, B.A., magna cum laude, 2006
Admitted to Practice
  • New York
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern, Southern and Western Districts of New York
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of New York
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
  • U.S. Court of International Trade
  • Ontario, Canada – Foreign Legal Consultant

Experience

Business Litigation
  • Represented an acquiring company to assert claims against a seller and a former employee for breach of asset purchase agreement and non-compete agreement.
  • Represented a private equity firm in a shareholder dispute concerning control over an investment company.
  • Represented real estate companies in disputes with a mortgage lender and a mezzanine lender concerning alleged loan defaults.
  • Represented an investor in the health care business against claims by common shareholders alleging breach of fiduciary duty.
  • Represented a construction company at a multiweek federal trial concerning dispute with a subcontractor over construction delays.
International Litigation
  • Represented a client in international arbitration proceedings (ICDR) related to shareholder disputes and breach of an employment agreement.
  • Represented a Chinese importer in an administrative penalty case before the Court of International Trade.
  • Coordinated with local Canadian counsel representing a U.S. manufacturer in a product liability case brought in Ontario, Canada.
  • Represented a former executive and shareholder of a business in international arbitration related to the value of his equity interest and breach of his employment agreement. Successfully achieved an award valued over $8 million.
Data Privacy and Cybersecurity
  • Counseled companies in response to cyberattacks and data incidents, including threat identification, mitigation and recovery efforts.
  • Assisted companies in data breach notification to customers, clients, state regulators, credit card companies and credit rating agencies.
  • Represented an online retailer asserting claims against a former e-commerce vendor related to the vendor’s data breach.
Bankruptcy Litigation
  • Represented a financial institution in a bankruptcy adversary proceeding concerning loans made by the financial institution to an alleged Ponzi scheme.
  • Successfully defeated claims by a bankruptcy trustee against a creditor for alleged amounts due under an agreement by proving that debtor breached the contract.
Cryptocurrency and Blockchain
  • Represented a victim of cryptocurrency theft to asset claims against a cryptocurrency exchange and in dispute with insurer concerning coverage.
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Speaking Engagements

View All
  • Panelist, “Commencing Cross-Border Disputes,” Ontario Legal Conference, May 2023
  • Co-Presenter, “Is Your Business Positioned to Defend Itself After a Cyberattack?” Phillips Lytle Breakfast Briefing Webinar, April 2023
  • Panelist, “Protecting Against Cyber Threats: Best Practices for Plan Fiduciaries,” Phillips Lytle LLP and Dopkins & Company Webinar, May 2021
  • Presenter, “How Fiduciaries Can Minimize Litigation Risks with Their Retirement Plans,” Phillips Lytle Seminar, October 2019
  • Speaker, “HIPAA Security Rule, HITECH and GDPR for Today’s Practice,” Phillips Lytle Monthly Data Security Download, April 2018
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Activities & Professional Associations

Past Activities

  • University of Pennsylvania Journal of Constitutional Law, Senior Editor

Professional Associations

  • American Bar Association
    • International Law Section
    • Litigation Section
  • Bar Association of Erie County
    • Commercial Litigation and Bankruptcy Law Committee
    • Federal Practice Committee
    • International Law Committee, Co-Chair
  • New York State Bar Association
    • Commercial & Federal Litigation Section
    • International Section

Articles & Publications

Articles

  • Co-Author, “Riding the Wave of New Data Privacy and Security Laws in 2023,” Buffalo Business First, May 2023
  • Co-Author, “Navigating Emerging Cybersecurity Threats and Developments in Data Security and Privacy Laws,” Buffalo Business First, January 2022
  • Co-Author, Adapting to Evolving Cybersecurity Risks and Updated Data Security and Privacy Laws,” Albany Business Review, September 2021
  • Co-Author, “U.S. Supreme Court to Review Whether U.S. Discovery Can Be Used in Aid of International Arbitration,” Beyond Dispute, Phillips Lytle Commercial Litigation Newsletter, June 2021
  • Co-Author, “Data Security and Privacy Developments in 2019 and Looking Ahead to 2020,” Buffalo Business First, January 2020
  • Co-Author, “Where Is Your Data?” Buffalo Business First, June 2018
  • Author, “Getting Evidence in U.S. for Foreign Proceedings,” Buffalo Law Journal, June 2017
  • Author, “Obtaining Evidence in the U.S. for Use in Foreign Proceedings,” LawExchange International, April 2017

Publications

  • Co-Author, “New York, U.S.A.,” 2022 Guide to Enforcing Foreign Judgments, LawExhange International, May 2022