Jon is a partner in Reed Smith’s Energy & Natural Resources Industry Group, focusing on regulatory matters, government investigations, and transactional issues related to commodities, derivatives and digital assets.
For nearly fifteen years, Jon has represented U.S. and non-U.S. clients in responding to government investigations and disciplinary and enforcement actions brought by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), futures exchanges, the National Futures Association (NFA), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Among other things, Jon has represented such clients in matters related to disruptive trading practices, manipulation, fraud, and fiduciary duties. He also regularly conducts internal investigations for clients related to potential violations of the Commodity Exchange Act and securities laws.
Additionally, Jon assists a wide range of market participants comply with CFTC regulations applicable to trading in U.S. derivatives markets, including those regulations promulgated under the Dodd-Frank Act. In this regard, he regularly counsels energy companies, financial institutions, trading platforms, clearinghouses, funds and market intermediaries regarding compliance with all aspects of the CFTC’s regulations. Jon has also successfully guided numerous clients through the process to register with the CFTC in nearly every capacity.
Jon also has particular experience counseling U.S. and non-U.S. trading platforms and clearinghouses with respect to registration and compliance requirements, and he is actively involved in policy discussions regarding Swap Execution Facility (SEF) regulations and clearing-related issues.
Further, Jon advises a range of market participants on legal and practical issues related to trading virtual currencies and adopting block chain-related technologies. He has advised numerous clients on classifying cryptocurrency products; assessing the regulatory obligations applicable to new cryptocurrency strategies; accessing cryptocurrency exchanges; and preparing product specifications for cryptocurrency derivatives products.
