Jim offers unparalleled insights into how SEC rulemaking and other initiatives unfold, sensitive to how such matters affect the business operations and compliance programs of SEC registrants. He brings well-respected knowledge and understanding of the equity, listed options, fixed income, and derivatives markets. As Deputy Director of the SEC’s Division of Trading and Markets, Jim played an integral part in the development of key SEC positions affecting various instruments, markets, intermediaries, and sell- and buy-side participants. His SEC experience witnessed innovations to trading rules, registration requirements for domestic and international entities, clearance and settlement issues, developments of significance to the emerging fintech, event contract, and crypto asset space, and the use of complex financial products. As Deputy Chief of Staff to SEC Chair Mary Schapiro, he served a central role in responding to the Flash Crash and overseeing the development and execution of significant initiatives under the Dodd-Frank Act, including the Volcker Rule and the SEC’s security-based swap regulatory regime.

Jim also has wide-ranging SEC and private practice experience across broad areas of the asset management industry, covering investment managers and fiduciaries for private funds and other investment managers. He has extensive experience advising boards on governance, risk, compliance, and disclosure-related matters. He also brings his regulatory and smart business acumen to issues arising in complex financial services M&A transactions and in preparing new entities for the rigors of regulation.

Consistently selected for inclusion by Chambers USA for the past six years, Jim has been described as “outstanding” and “an excellent regulatory lawyer” and someone with “extensive knowledge” who “consistently hits the mark” in delivering for his clients, who have referred to him as “savvy” about a cross section of regulatory stakeholders and as particularly helpful when it comes to novel issues.

Jim has been noted by The Legal 500 for being highly skilled at managing complex financial services rulemaking responses and balancing diverse industry perspectives under tight deadlines. He is noted for maintaining important relationships with senior SEC and FINRA regulators, his deep knowledge, collaborative nature, and strong understanding of the regulatory process.