Peter Larkin

Background

About Peter Larkin

I am a Partner at Wilson Elser, LLP. My legal practice focuses on commercial disputes and professional liability defense, with a concentration on the legal needs of accountants and accounting firms. I lead the firm's Accountants Practice Team, and I have represented accounting firms of all sizes in hundreds of lawsuits. These cases have involved the full range of professional services that accountants provide to their clients. Allegations have ranged from the failure to detect a fraud or embezzlement to faulty tax structuring in a major transaction, and from negligence associated with the implementation of a billing system to negligence in tax preparation, estate planning or business valuation. I have represented clients in the state and federal courts across the nation in cases ranging from discrete private disputes to class actions. I have taken several accounting malpractice cases to trial. However, my representation of accountants is not limited to litigation. I also have assisted clients with the purchase or sale of a practice, partnership disputes and separations, regulatory, licensing and ethics proceedings, drafting manuals and policies, providing continuing education and risk management presentations. As respects professional licensing and ethics proceedings, I have handled matters in New York and many other states before the AICPA, IRS, and various state licensing boards and societies, from initial inquiry through evidentiary hearings. I regularly handle matters involving inquiries and investigations by the SEC, PCAOB and other bodies. I also have represented numerous businesses and banking institutions in a wide array of disputes involving breach of contract and fraud, regulatory review, tax disputes, workers compensation issues, and post-employment disputes. Banking matters have included investigation and removal of officers, bad check cases, customer complaints and TILA matters. Additionally, I have assisted the victims of embezzlement recover their losses through direct action against the embezzler and insurance claims. Commercial disputes have ranged from "business divorce" to antitrust and many things in between.