Fort Lauderdale · Securities & Commercial Litigation
We know the system.
From the inside.
Walter J. Mathews served as Senior Counsel at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission before entering private practice. He knows how the SEC investigates, how it prosecutes — and how to defend against it.
Practice areas
Complex matters. Focused advocacy.
Walter J. Mathews, P.A. handles sophisticated securities and commercial litigation for investors, financial professionals, businesses, and individuals across Florida and nationwide.
Securities arbitration
FINRA arbitration representing both investors and broker-dealers. Walter Mathews has prosecuted and defended FINRA arbitration claims for over 25 years.
SEC / FTC / CFTC defense
Defense against federal regulatory investigations and enforcement actions. Former SEC Senior Counsel — he knows exactly how regulators build their cases.
Securities litigation
Complex securities fraud cases in federal and state courts. Representing officers, directors, investors, and firms in high-stakes securities disputes.
Commercial litigation
Breach of contract, business fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, tortious interference, and complex commercial disputes in federal and state courts.
Government investigations
Representing witnesses, targets, and persons of interest in SEC, FTC, CFTC, and FBI investigations. Experience communicating directly with federal prosecutors.
Appellate practice
Florida and federal appellate representation. Handling appeals from complex securities, commercial, and litigation matters throughout the circuit courts.
Receiverships
Counsel to Receivers and investors in high-profile federal receiverships. Personally represented hundreds of investors in Ponzi scheme receiverships.
Probate & estate litigation
Florida probate administration and contested proceedings. Will contests, fiduciary disputes, creditor claims, and estate fraud matters.
Consumer fraud
Deceptive and unfair business practices — mortgage misconduct, debt collection abuse, credit reporting violations, identity theft, and more.
Representing investors
For defrauded investors
Unauthorized trading, churning, unsuitable investments, Ponzi schemes, elder financial fraud — we fight to recover what brokers and advisers took from you.
Representing professionals
For financial professionals & firms
SEC investigations, FINRA enforcement actions, customer claims, U4/U5 disputes — we defend brokers, advisers, and firms with the insight of a former federal regulator.
Credentials
The SEC credential
From 2002 to 2006, Walter Mathews was Senior Counsel at the SEC Division of Enforcement, Southeast Regional Office.
He investigated and prosecuted securities fraud cases on behalf of the federal government. That experience is now on your side.
About
Walter J. Mathews
Walter J. Mathews is the founder and managing partner of Walter J. Mathews, P.A.. He concentrates his practice on securities and commercial litigation, representing both plaintiffs and defendants in federal and state courts, FINRA arbitrations, and before the SEC, FTC, and CFTC.
From 2002 to 2006, Mr. Mathews served as Senior Counsel at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Division of Enforcement, Southeast Regional Office. He investigated and prosecuted securities fraud cases on behalf of the federal government — giving him an inside understanding of how regulators think, investigate, and build cases that no textbook can provide.
That perspective now serves his clients on both sides of the table. When representing investors, he knows exactly what regulators look for and how to build cases that get results. When defending financial professionals and firms against SEC, FTC, or CFTC actions, he understands the investigative process from the inside out.
Mr. Mathews received his J.D. cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law. He has been featured in the Miami Herald, Sun-Sentinel, ABA Journal, and Daily Business Review. He has personally represented the interests of hundreds of investors in federal receiverships and has served as counsel to the Receiver in high-profile Ponzi scheme cases that returned hundreds of thousands of dollars to defrauded investors.
Featured in
Representative matters
Complex cases. Significant results.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every matter is evaluated on its own facts and circumstances.
The credential that matters most
Former Senior Counsel
SEC Division of Enforcement
Southeast Regional Office · 2002–2006
Walter Mathews spent four years investigating and prosecuting securities fraud on behalf of the United States government. He knows what triggers SEC investigations, what evidence regulators find compelling, and how enforcement decisions are made.
When you face an SEC investigation or enforcement action, you want an attorney who has sat on the other side of that table.
One of very few plaintiff-side securities attorneys with federal enforcement experience
Served as counsel to the Receiver in a multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme. Represented hundreds of defrauded investors. Recovered hundreds of thousands of dollars for victims.
Complex accounting negligence matter involving securities fraud claims. Handled while at Mandel & McAliley LLP representing clients in multi-party litigation.
Obtained $476,200 jury verdict for tenant against landlord who installed hidden cameras. Covered by Sun-Sentinel, Daily Business Review, and WSVN TV.
High-profile shareholder litigation matter covered by the Daily Business Review. Complex securities and commercial claims against financial institution.
Assisted defense of individuals facing criminal prosecution for white collar crimes. Experience navigating parallel SEC civil and federal criminal proceedings.
Representing officers and directors in actions initiated by the SEC and FTC. Leveraging inside knowledge of Division of Enforcement investigation practices.
Service Areas
Serving South Florida & Beyond
Based in Fort Lauderdale. Representing clients throughout South Florida, statewide, and nationally in federal securities matters.
Contact
Discuss your matter
Walter Mathews personally reviews every inquiry. Whether you are an investor who has suffered losses, a financial professional facing regulatory scrutiny, or a business involved in complex litigation — contact us to discuss your situation.
219 Davie Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33315
(954) 653-2963
All inquiries are strictly confidential.