Skadden is pleased to announce that former senior U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Division of Trading and Markets attorney Aaron Washington has joined the firm as counsel to advise on securities regulation, including broker-dealer and digital asset regulation, trading platforms and financial market infrastructure. His addition to Skadden further enhances its ability to provide clients with comprehensive regulatory advice on complex issues facing U.S. and foreign broker-dealers, the developing landscape for digital asset companies and intermediaries, and on regulatory questions that arise in enforcement, litigation and transactional matters.
Mr. Washington, who will be based in the Washington, D.C. office, joins Skadden after most recently serving as special counsel in the Office of the Chief Counsel of the SEC’s Division of Trading and Markets, where he provided critical interpretive guidance; contributed to rulemaking initiatives; and advised on enforcement matters concerning broker-dealers, digital asset trading and security-based swaps. Mr. Washington has particular experience in rules governing market access and market-making, trading practices and over-the-counter markets, as well as SEC Regulations CF, M, NMS, SHO and ATS. Mr. Washington also frequently advised on regulatory guidance and initiatives relating to centralized and decentralized crypto trading platforms.
Prior to his tenure at the SEC, Mr. Washington practiced at a global law firm and was an assistant general counsel with a prominent registered broker-dealer and hedge fund, where he advised on a broad spectrum of complex regulatory matters. Before becoming a lawyer, Mr. Washington obtained his general securities license (Series 7) and worked at several large broker-dealers and asset management firms.
“The addition of Aaron to our white collar defense and regulatory team underscores the firm’s commitment to providing exceptional counsel and advancing our strategic growth,” said Ryan Junck, a global head of Skadden’s litigation/controversy practices. “Aaron’s experience in securities regulation and insights into the SEC’s evolving priorities will be invaluable to clients navigating the regulatory landscape, including financial services firms registered in the U.S. or a foreign jurisdiction (entering or remaining in U.S. markets as well as crypto trading platforms and protocols). His ability to help manage regulatory risks — whether for brokers, dealers, exchanges or investment firms — will further strengthen our ability to address our clients’ most critical legal and compliance challenges.”
David Meister, head of Skadden’s White Collar Defense and Investigations Group in New York, added, “Aaron’s unique perspective is shaped by his experience in both the public and private sectors, which makes him an exceptional addition to our team. His ability to navigate intricate regulatory frameworks and deliver strategic, forward-thinking guidance to our clients will further bolster our ability to achieve outstanding results in high-stakes matters.”
“Aaron’s deep SEC experience and practical knowledge of trading and markets regulation will be instrumental in addressing our clients’ most complex regulatory challenges,” said James Carroll, a global head of Skadden’s litigation/controversy practices. “His addition strengthens our ability to provide innovative, client-focused solutions in an evolving legal landscape and to better position our clients to overcome regulatory and commercial challenges.”
“I am honored to be joining Skadden, which is distinguished by its ability to navigate complex, multijurisdictional matters with precision and ingenuity,” Mr. Washington said.
Mr. Washington earned his J.D. from Rutgers Law School, where he served as an editor for the Rutgers Law Review and was the recipient of the G.A. Moore Prize and the David S. Solomon Scholarship. He also holds a B.A. from Rutgers University.