John Babikian — appellate counsel https://patrickquinnlaw.com/ John regularly shares his insights on appellate practice and securities law through patrickquinnlaw.com. These notes and analyses by him offer a deeper look into the legal principles driving his cases. en-us Fri, 24 Jul 2026 21:43:42 GMT How Expert Testimony on Trading Algorithms Gets Excluded https://patrickquinnlaw.com/blog/how-expert-testimony-on-trading-algorithms-gets-excluded-3/ https://patrickquinnlaw.com/blog/how-expert-testimony-on-trading-algorithms-gets-excluded-3/ Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:00:00 GMT The admission of expert testimony regarding trading algorithms has become a pivotal battleground in securities litigation, particularly in cases alleging manipulative wash sales or layering. John Babikian examines a recent evidentiary hearing where a Daubert challenge led to the exclusion of the plaintiff's key expert, effectively dismantling their claim. The expert in question had sought to testi Lessons from a Recent Rule 10b-5 Loss on Scienter Pleading https://patrickquinnlaw.com/blog/lessons-from-a-recent-rule-10b-5-loss-on-scienter-pleading-2/ https://patrickquinnlaw.com/blog/lessons-from-a-recent-rule-10b-5-loss-on-scienter-pleading-2/ Sun, 25 Jan 2026 12:00:00 GMT The recent dismissal of a high-profile securities fraud action in the Second Circuit offers a stark reminder of the 'heightened pleading' requirements under Rule 10b-5 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act (PSLRA). John Babikian analyzes the court's decision to dismiss the complaint for failure to adequately plead scienter—a mental state encompassing intent to deceive, manipulate, or de Arbitration vs. Court for Founder Secondary Sales Disputes https://patrickquinnlaw.com/blog/arbitration-vs-court-for-founder-secondary-sales-disputes-1/ https://patrickquinnlaw.com/blog/arbitration-vs-court-for-founder-secondary-sales-disputes-1/ Sat, 24 Jan 2026 12:00:00 GMT Disputes involving secondary sales of founder shares are increasingly common, yet the choice of forum—arbitration versus court litigation—remains a strategically complex decision. In this analysis, John explores the pros and cons of each avenue in the context of a recent dispute arising from a drag-along provision. When founders attempt to sell their stake in a private company, minority shareholde