Nader Raja regularly works with clients facing complex and high-stakes litigation, enforcement, and regulatory issues. Nader’s experience ranges from handling class actions and complex business and securities litigation to representing companies in parallel civil and criminal investigations by governmental authorities and regulators across the globe. His clients greatly value his judgment and work ethic in developing effective legal strategies and providing practical advice.

Overview

Nader has substantial experience defending financial services clients in all phases of litigation in state and federal courts across the United States. He handles a diverse range of litigation matters, including class actions, securities fraud claims under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, lawsuits alleging breaches of fiduciary duties, lender liability and mortgage servicing claims, and litigation arising out of commercial contracts and transactions.  

In addition to traditional litigation, Nader is well seasoned in representing clients that are the subject of high-profile government investigations and conducting internal investigations. He has represented clients in domestic inquiries and investigations by the Department of Justice (Main Justice and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), as well as cross-border matters involving the European Commission (EC), the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Nader’s involvement in these investigations includes overseeing document reviews, conducting witness interviews, working with expert consultants on complex data analysis, and written submissions, presentations, and settlement conferences with various enforcement authorities in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Nader complements his white-collar defense and investigations work with a regulatory advice practice in which he helps clients navigate complex regulatory requirements applicable to their businesses, working to ensure that their compliance efforts are effective and robust. He works closely with his clients on the implementation of corporate compliance programs and the development and enhancement of policies, procedures, training programs, and other internal controls designed to strengthen regulatory compliance and to prevent, deter, and detect improper conduct. Clients frequently rely on him for practical compliance advice, assistance implementing and conducting risk assessments, and designing strategies that can minimize the risk of enforcement action.

In addition, Nader is actively involved in the community and maintains an active pro bono practice in which he strives to perform at least 50 hours of pro bono services annually. As chair of the firm’s Housing Rights Pro Bono Project and co-champion of the Charlotte Triage Eviction Project, Nader leads a team of volunteers focused on advocating for tenants living in substandard living conditions who are facing the threat of homelessness due to wrongful and retaliatory evictions.

Representative Experience

  • Trading Investigations: Represented a major financial institution in parallel civil and criminal investigations by the Fraud Section of the DOJ and the CFTC into spoofing and market manipulation
  • Reference Rate Investigations: Represented a major financial institution in a multi-year investigation by the CFTC and a state attorney’s office regarding alleged manipulation of the U.S. Dollar International Swaps and Derivatives Association Fix (USD ISDAFIX), a then-leading global benchmark for interest rate swap transactions 
  • Securities Class-Action Litigation: Secured dismissal of all claims in a putative class action alleging securities law violations in connection with a proposed merger
  • Broker-Dealer Litigation: Represented a major broker-dealer in a private arbitration brought by a former ultra-high net worth customer seeking over $100 million in damages based on allegations of unauthorized trading, unsuitable transactions, churning, and excessive mark-ups
  • Lender-Liability Litigation: Substantial experience defending lender liability and mortgage servicing claims involving allegations of predatory lending, fraud, wrongful foreclosure, and state and federal consumer protection statutes, including the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act (HOEPA), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA)
  • Commercial Litigation: Secured dismissal of contract and tort claims on behalf of a major bank in an action by a Brazilian aircraft operator and its owners alleging fraud in connection with the Brazilian tax-advantaged financing of an aircraft lease transaction
  • Compliance Counseling: Provide ongoing advice regarding remedial measures and compliance undertakings, including in connection with reporting obligations under consent orders and non-prosecution agreements

Notable

Notable

  • Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2021-2024; Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, 2023-2024
  • Business North Carolina Legal Elite, Young Guns, 2018-2019, 2022-2023
  • North Carolina Super Lawyers "Rising Star", General Litigation, 2014-2021; Business Litigation, 2022-2023
  • Law360, Rising Stars for Compliance, 2020
  • Sally & Bill Van Allen Public Service Award, 2019
  • Member, Mecklenburg County Bar (MCB) Diversity & Inclusion Committee, class of 2024 
  • North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society, 2017, 2019-2021
  • Chair, Lawyers of Color Affinity Group
  • Chair, Housing Rights Pro Bono Project
  • Member, MVA Recruiting, Diversity, and Pro Bono & Public Service Committees
  • Member, Moore & Van Allen YP Committee 
  • Coach, Dowd YMCA Youth League Basketball, 2011-present
  • Member, UVaClub of Charlotte
  • Leadership Charlotte, Class 39

News

News

Recognitions

Media

Speaking Engagements

Diversity

Affiliations

Affiliations

  • American Bar Association
  • North Carolina Bar Association
  • Mecklenburg County Bar
  • Charlotte Asian Pacific American Bar Association
  • Florida Bar 

Education

J.D., Wake Forest University, 2010, cum laude, Wake Forest Law Review

B.S., University of Virginia, 2007, with distinction

Admissions

  • Florida, 2013
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, 2013
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, 2013
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, 2013
  • North Carolina, 2010
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, 2010
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, 2010
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, 2010
Jump to Page

"Moore & Van Allen's regulatory enforcement team in Charlotte is top notch. John Fagg, Jim McLoughlin and Nader Raja all do excellent work. Thoughtful analysis, timely responses, dogged work ethic. As a bonus: Kristen Kenley is one of the best associates you will find." - Best Law Firms, 2021 

Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2021-2024; Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, 2023-2024

By using this site, you agree to our updated Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use.