Vincent (Trace) Schmeltz

White-Collar Defense | Securities Enforcement | Financial Services Investigations & Enforcement | Financial Regulatory Compliance & Policy | Anti-Corruption/FCPA | Digital Assets and Decentralized Finance | Blockchain & Cryptocurrency

Trace Schmeltz represents corporations and financial services firms in complex commodities, securities, mergers and acquisitions, and white- collar litigation. He pursues and defends complex claims on behalf of Fortune 500 companies before forums such as the Delaware Court of Chancery and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He serves as counsel to receivers and monitors in collaboration with the government, including the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the SEC. Trace is an experienced trial attorney, having tried a wide range of civil and criminal cases before juries, judges, and arbitrators. Trace has also handled complex litigation, investigations, claims management, and debtor and creditor representation arising from bankruptcies and receiverships.

Trace advises auditors, investment banks, futures commission merchants, commodity trading advisors and pool operators, hedge funds, corporate boards, broker-dealers, investment advisers and corporations. When clients face financial misfortune, he leverages decades of experience in financial malfeasance actions to pursue serious claims of fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, misappropriation and false representation of assets, criminal and civil claims, and regulatory investigations and enforcement. His passion for dispute resolution is manifest in his energetic work ethic.

Also representing clients in federal and state securities cases and commodities matters, his work includes audits, investigations and enforcement proceedings brought by the SEC, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the National Future Association (NFA), the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), the ICE Futures Exchange, and other self-regulatory organizations. Notably, Trace served as primary counsel on the attorney team responsible for addressing Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) issues pursuant to a company's deferred prosecution agreements with the US government.

Known for his calm, analytical approach to his client's most significant matters, Trace ably consolidates complicated facts and converts complex information into a cogent, compelling position. When given the opportunity to solve difficult problems, he is dedicated to figuring out a productive solution. Trace is also passionate about giving back to his community.

Co-Chair, Crypto-Currency/Blockchain Subcommittee, Securities Litigation Committee, American Bar Association (2024-present)

Co-Chair, SEC Enforcement Subcommittee, Securities Litigation Committee, American Bar Association (2020-present)