Bruce D. Bernstein

Partner
blank image Bruce D. Bernstein

Bruce D. Bernstein

Partner
Washington T: 202.659.6819 F: 202.327.6164
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Bruce D. Bernstein

Bruce D. Bernstein

PARTNER
bbernstein@whitefordlaw.com
WASHINGTON
T: 202.659.6819
F: 202.327.6164
Biography
BIOGRAPHY
Mr. Bernstein has handled a wide range of commercial litigation including suits against large banks, mortgage lenders, automobile manufacturers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, insurers, and healthcare systems. He has successfully litigated these matters at all levels, including before the U.S. Supreme Court.

His experience includes 5 years as a Trial Attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice's Commercial Litigation Branch, Civil Frauds Section. In his time at the Department of Justice, as well as in private practice, he gained extensive experience litigating and resolving complex commercial legal claims against large banks, mortgage lenders, automobile manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, insurers and healthcare companies.

Mr. Bernstein has also served as an adjunct professor at The George Washington University Law School and taught written and oral advocacy.
 

Recognitions

  • 500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers, Lawdragon (2024)

*Not admitted to practice in DC
  • U.S. v. Volkswagen AG (Braunschweig, Germany) (Jointly litigated with DOJ Office of Foreign Litigation) (oversaw investigation and pending litigation of civil fraud claims against multinational automobile manufacturer following significant losses incurred by large defined contribution plan for U.S. federal civil service employees and retirees).
  • Merck & Co., Inc. Securities, Derivative & ERISA Class Action (D.N.J.) (Co-Lead Counsel) (central member of team that secured a landmark and unanimous U.S. Supreme Court decision favoring investors with respect to the commencement of the statute of limitations for securities fraud claims; claims ultimately settled for approximately $1.06 billion).
  • U.S. ex rel. Folta v. Health Quest Systems, Inc., et a/. (N.D.N.Y.); U.S. ex rel. Cleary v. Health QuestSystems, Inc. (N.D.N.Y.); U.S. ex rel. Betaudier v. Health Quest Medical, Practice, P.C., et a/. (N.D.N.Y.)(Jointly litigated with USAO) (secured $14.7 million collective settlement of False Claim Act qui tam actions alleging that large hospital system submitted inflated and otherwise ineligible claims for payment for various health related services).
  • PNC Financial Services Securities Class Action (W.D. Pa.) (Co-Lead Counsel) ($46 million recovery for common stock purchasers).
  • Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. Securities Litigation (S.D.N.Y.) (Lead Counsel) ($30 million recovery for common stock purchasers).
INSIGHTS

"Following Morrison, the Impact of Converium on Global Investors," Responsible Investor, Stockholm, Copenhagen and Vienna Investor Conferences, organizer and panelist (2012)

"Litigating Securities Class Actions," LexisNexis, Chapter 1, 2010 Treatise Chapter, 2012 Supplement ("Plaintiffs' Perspective"), co-author

"Investor Protection, A Global Perspective," International Corporate Governance Network Mid-Year Conference, panelist (2011)

"Fiduciary Duties in Maximizing Shareholder Recovery," Institutional Investor, UK and Ireland Pension Fund Conference, panelist (2011)

"The Unfolding Landscape for Investor Recovery" UK National Association of Pension Funds Annual Conference, panelist (2010)

"How Investor ESG and Corporate CSR Connect and Where the Relationship is Headed," Responsible Investor, ESG Europe 2010: Investor Corporate Summit, panelist (2010)

"The Impact of the Supreme Court's Decision in Merck on the Federal Securities Laws," National Coordinating Committee of Multi-Employer Funds, Lawyer Committee, panelist (2010)

"Shareholder Litigation in the Wake of the Credit Crisis: Overview of the U.S. Landscape ," European Pensions and Investments Summit, panelist (2009)

"Corporate Governance and Recovery Opportunities Arising from the Global Economic Crisis," Nordic Pension and Investments Summit, panelist (2009)

May 19, 2026 - News

Leading Litigator Bruce Bernstein Joins Whiteford in DC

Whiteford is pleased to announce that Bruce D. Bernstein has joined the firm as a Litigation Partner in Washington, D.C. With over 25 years of experience as a commercial litigator and trial lawyer, both in private practice and with the Department of Justice, Mr. Bernstein has a track record of successfully litigating and prevailing in complex commercial direct and class actions, at all levels, including before the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as other federal and state courts.