Securities: Regulation: Enforcement | USA

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP enjoys an outstanding reputation for its handling of the full range of investigatory and enforcement work, with complementary strength in the FCPA and corporate law spaces. The firm demonstrates a broad private equity client base and experience in the asset management space, advising a broad range of investment and hedge funds on SEC enforcement issues. They operate an active practice advising major corporations as well as high-profile employees and senior executives in SEC investigations and related civil securities actions.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP houses a notably deep bench of enforcement lawyers, which also displays unrivaled strength in civil FCPA proceedings. Sought after by clients from a range of industries including technology and manufacturing, in addition to major financial institutions. Houses an impressive roster of regulatory experts who provide advice on securities law, shareholder activism, corporate governance and accounting issues. Expertise also extends to areas such as proxy fights and corporate social responsibility.

WilmerHale is a market-leading practice in the securities regulatory space, representing top-tier clients on everything from high-stakes enforcement proceedings to day-to-day compliance and corporate governance. Houses a deep bench of former SEC and government agency officials well equipped to counsel financial institutions, accounting firms and major corporates on all manner of investigations and compliance matters. Able to handle large, cross-border investigations, drawing on notable experience in working with foreign regulators. Particularly adept at handling enforcement actions for high-profile investment managers.

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP houses an impressive enforcement group with a wealth of experience defending clients in securities fraud investigations. Demonstrates prowess in the regulatory space, advising on the full range of compliance and reporting procedures. Particularly expert in Dodd-Frank reforms, including notable expertise in issues related to the Volcker Rule. Also offers insight into cyber-related activity, including cryptocurrency and market manipulations. Represents an enviable roster of major financial institutions and blue-chip public companies, and particularly noted for its roster of broker-dealer clients. Fields an impressive team comprising a number of former high-ranking SEC staffers.

Latham & Watkins LLP has far-reaching credibility in the securities space thanks to the strength of its lawyers on both coasts and the breadth of its global office network. Able to service clients based in multiple jurisdictions facing high-profile SEC investigations or enforcement actions. Represents investment banks, public companies and accounting firms. Known for its expertise in FCPA investigations and capital markets regulation.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is sought after by financial institutions needing regulatory and compliance advice thanks to its familiarity with a host of government agency and regulatory enforcement proceedings. Often called upon by major foreign banks to handle multi-regulator cross-border enforcement actions. Also handles significant matters for public company clients, including both domestic and foreign companies across several industries. Works on the full range of SEC proceedings, including accounting investigations, and fields an impressive roster of former SEC employees. Client base increasingly includes asset and investment managers facing regulatory proceedings.

Sidley Austin LLP is an impressive performer in the regulatory enforcement space thanks to its attorneys' in-depth knowledge of regulators and government agencies, while also impressing in the advisory space. Active on behalf of hedge funds and accounting firms on a broad range of matters including insider trading cases. Particular expertise in handling FINRA and SEC investigations for broker-dealers and other financial institutions. Offers expert representation of public companies in enforcement actions and investigations concerning accounting irregularities, whistleblowing and other issues. Often involved in matters with complex multijurisdictional elements.

Skadden, Arps, Slate & Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates covers all the bases for major corporate clients and financial institutions, including enforcement defense. Handles SEC investigations and provides SEC reporting and compliance advice to companies from a broad array of industries, including banking and pharmaceuticals. Also advises clients on the regulatory compliance aspects of mergers and acquisitions. Regarded as one of the leaders in CFTC enforcement actions and investigations. Houses an impressive roster of former federal law enforcement officials.

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP is frequently called upon by major financial institutions, investment firms, credit rating agencies and fintech companies to handle regulatory matters and enforcement proceedings, including disclosure and accounting fraud actions. Notable experience in front of US and international financial regulators, including the SEC, CFTC and DOJ. Often conducts sensitive internal investigations as well as major regulatory actions on behalf of international corporations.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP is a full-service securities offering with extensive international capabilities, often utilized by global financial institutions and the boards and directors of major public companies. Can field several former SEC regulators and federal prosecutors who are able to advise on all manner of securities enforcement and compliance matters. Areas of expertise include high-frequency trading, virtual currency exchange, swap dealing and cross-border securities activity. Offers a growing practice advising fintech companies on regulatory matters relating to the sale of cryptocurrencies.

Dechert LLP is much admired for its strength in matters at the intersection of SEC enforcement and white-collar defense, particularly for senior individuals or independent boards of directors facing regulatory investigations. Often a go-to firm for asset management clients in particular, including investment and mutual funds. Adept at handling alleged insider trading cases. Regularly handles enforcement proceedings and investigations by FINRA and the CFTC, and remains active in FCPA matters.

King & Spalding LLP has a strong bench of go-to enforcement attorneys with notable regulatory capabilities. Fields a number of experts on federal securities law who are well-versed in proceedings before the DOJ, SEC, FINRA and CFTC. Offers a notably broad practice, with strengths in the handling of whistleblower retaliation investigations, accountancy fraud and the representation of credit rating agencies. Frequently acts for financial institutions, multinational corporations and senior executives.

Kirkland & Ellis provides significant global corporations and financial institutions with representation in connection to high-stakes SEC enforcement proceedings. The team is experienced in tackling challenging international work, with valuable expertise in handling matters in Africa, Europe and Asia. It assists its clients with a wide array of alleged securities violations, including market manipulation, bribery, FCPA, insider trading and accounting fraud.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is a highly rated team that comprises a number of very prominent practitioners with impressive government experience. Demonstrates extensive strength in SEC investigations and enforcement proceedings. Acts for major financial institutions, asset managers, and big-name corporations in matters related to disclosure, accounting practices and whistleblowers.

Arnold & Porter LLP offers counsel in connection with regulatory enforcement matters and internal investigations, often on behalf of financial institutions, investment funds, global corporations and independent boards of directors. Well-versed in the intricacies of securities law as laid out by the SEC, FINRA and other regulatory agencies, as well as FCPA-related issues. Counts a number of accounting firms among its clients, offering significant experience in dealings with the PCAOB.

Bruch Law Group PLLC is a respected boutique practice specializing in securities enforcement matters. Particularly noted for its strength in individual representation, and regularly engaged by senior executives on highly consequential SEC enforcement proceedings. Host to a compact, formidable bench of experienced attorneys, whose expertise runs the gamut of securities actions ranging from disclosure and accounting issues to insider trading and FCPA violations.

Covington & Burling LLP has a distinguished team offering counsel on the full range of securities regulatory matters from SEC reporting and disclosure to public companies' liabilities under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Fields experts in issues arising from M&A and capital market transactions as well as enforcement and internal investigations. Deep bench of former senior SEC officials adds impressive credibility in connection with both advisory and enforcement matters. Also sought after for its expertise in corporate governance.

Jones Day offers demonstrable strength in SEC enforcement matters, with a talented roster of senior former government lawyers. Frequently advises a range of market-leading clients, including major banks, global corporations and high-ranking individuals. Expertise across a wide range of regulatory issues, with vast experience in enforcement actions and investigations involving the FCPA, accounting issues and insider trading.

Milbank LLP is a major player in securities regulatory enforcement matters, with a large share of the market in mandates involving major accounting firms and financial institutions. Also regularly represents broker-dealers, mutual funds and investment advisers. Handles investigations brought by diverse regulators, including the SEC and FINRA, covering issues such as FCPA violations, insider trading and market manipulation.

Morvillo Abramowitz is an impressive boutique with deep capabilities in white-collar matters, as well as an active practice in regulatory investigations and enforcement actions. Particularly prominent before the SEC, while also handling proceedings involving FINRA, the CFTC and international regulators. Represents a number of high-ranking individuals, as well as corporate clients, broker-dealers and asset management firms. Demonstrates notable strength in FCPA and insider trading matters.

Ropes & Gray LLP houses a highly capable team with impressive strength in the representation of private equity firms in SEC investigations and enforcement proceedings. Also acts for mutual funds, hedge funds and financial institutions in matters relating to disclosure and trading. Often represents large corporations in the technology and life sciences space. It boasts a well-regarded advisory practice, working with investment advisers, private equity firms and hedge funds in relation to SEC filings, securities offerings and corporate governance.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has a respected group of regulatory lawyers catering to asset management and financial services clients facing securities litigations, enforcement actions and investigative proceedings. Offers specialist expertise in accounting and disclosure issues as well as financial fraud. Regularly works with asset managers, corporations and broker-dealers, and has a proven track record of defending senior employees including executives, hedge fund principals and traders under investigation by the SEC.