Stephen J. Behnke

Stephen Behnke is a Bates Testifying Expert, where, for twelve years he has he has used his extensive fixed income securities, alternative investment and retail brokerage experience to consult and  testify on matters involving suitability, sales practices, supervision, branch office administration, employment issues, Registered Investment Advisory matters and complex securities including auction rate securities, private equity, private equity fund and hedge fund investments. Before joining the Bates Group, Mr. Behnke was a Director with LECG and Bates Private Capital Incorporated, a firm providing litigation consulting, financial analysis, market trend research, and expert witness testimony for securities and other financial-related matters.

Prior to joining the LECG and Bates Private Capital, Mr. Behnke was a partner and managing director of Presidio Financial Partners a boutique broker dealer and investment advisory firm located in San Francisco. He supervised all operations functions for their broker dealer and investment advisory businesses. In addition, he provided fixed income advice to brokerage clients and served on the firm's investment committee which oversaw third-party investment manager and hedge fund selection.

Mr. Behnke served on Banc of America Securities Executive Management Committee and co- managed the Private Client Department that provided brokerage, investment advisory and investment consulting services to high net worth clients. He was responsible for all account performance reporting, compliance and sales supervisory related matters, policies and procedures, client complaints, business and employment contracts and other legal matters.

While at Banc of America Securities, Mr. Behnke served on the Investment Management Committee which researched and selected non-affiliated hedge fund managers for inclusion in their wrap program. Mr. Behnke also was instrumental in launching the firm’s own hedge fund-of-funds offering, the BAS Montage Fund. Mr. Behnke as manager of the Private Client Department, was responsible for supervising sales practices.

While at Montgomery Securities, Mr. Behnke managed the retail fixed income brokerage and Corporate Cash Management Investment Advisory businesses. He was responsible for client development, portfolio management and monthly performance reporting to clients as well as providing fixed income portfolio advise and brokerage services to the firm’s high net worth clients.