Rebecca R. Fike

“Rebecca is an excellent, comprehensive, practical and strategic lawyer.”
Chambers USA, Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, client

“Rebecca Fike brings a wealth of experience from her time in the SEC. She is noted for her in-depth knowledge of securities and her ability to handle complex investigations on behalf of clients.”
Chambers USA, Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, client

"She is spectacular and has a really good read in the SEC office."
Chambers USA, Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, client

Rebecca is a partner and Chambers-ranked lawyer in the firm’s Global Regulatory Enforcement Group, with a focus on SEC defense, internal investigations, and counseling clients and their boards of directors on corporate governance matters, SEC compliance, and public and private securities offerings. Rebecca served 10 years in the SEC’s Division of Enforcement and brings a unique insider’s understanding of the SEC, which enables her to effectively guide clients through the complexities of today’s ever-changing regulatory environment.

Rebecca has successfully represented both public and private companies in SEC matters brought by the Division of Enforcement and Division of Examinations, skillfully steering clients through investigations to case closures, favorable Wells notice outcomes, and advantageous settlements. She has conducted effective internal investigations for audit and special committees in response to whistleblower complaints or other reports with potential SEC ramifications. Additionally, Rebecca regularly advises corporate clients on SEC risks related to business transactions and other scenarios, enabling them to take proactive steps to avoid enforcement interest. She has extensive knowledge about regulatory and enforcement issues affecting blockchain-based platforms, cryptocurrencies, and other digital assets. Through her strategic counsel and practical insights, Rebecca helps clients resolve regulatory challenges and achieve their business objectives.

Rebecca is recognized as a leader in government investigations by top legal directories. She is listed in Chambers USA in the area of white-collar crime and government investigations litigation, with clients remarking that “she is spectacular and has a really good read in the SEC office.” Clients also commend her for her “in-depth knowledge of securities and her ability to handle complex investigations on behalf of clients” and praise her for “really [knowing] how to effectively guide her clients in this space.” Rebecca was named to the Securities Docket Enforcement Elite in 2024 and 2025 and is on the Board of Advisors for the SEC Historical Society.

She is also recognized as a thought leader on SEC issues. Rebecca is regularly quoted in major publications such as Forbes, Politico, Bloomberg Law, Reuters, Law360, Private Equity Law Report, and The Texas Lawbook. She is a sought-after speaker and author on SEC topics, was named a Top Author in White-Collar Defense by JD Supra in 2023, and is a frequent guest on CNBC and other news outlets.

Experience

Representative matters

Lead compliance counsel to multiple recently IPO’d public companies on matters related to governance, internal control over financial reporting, disclosure controls and procedures, Regulation FD, and insider trading plans and training.

Successfully represented Fortune 500 public aviation company in SEC investigation arising out of potential disclosure and reporting violations related to large winter storm.

Successfully defended Fortune 500 public real estate company in SEC investigation arising out of the company’s use of confidentiality agreements with employees.

Experience highlights

Successfully represented Fortune 500 public aviation company in SEC investigation arising out of potential disclosure and reporting violations related to large winter storm.

Successfully defended Fortune 500 public real estate company in SEC investigation arising out of the company’s use of confidentiality agreements with employees.

Led independent investigation into potential illegal acts relating to related parties, stock compensation calculations, and director independence at public company in response to Exchange Act Section 10A letter from external auditor.

Led independent internal investigation into accounting, related party, and other SEC-disclosure concerns for public company at direction of the Nominations and Governance Committee of the Board of Directors.

Led independent internal investigation into stock compensation and other perquisites for public agri-tech company at direction of Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

Lead counsel defending institutional investment management firm in SEC investigation into potential Section 13 filing and disclosure violations.

Successfully represented broker-dealer in renegotiation of SEC settlement to avoid collateral damages resulting from initial proposal.

Conducted internal investigation and CFTC regulatory risk analysis for international petroleum distribution and trading company.

Represented the audit committee of oilfield services company in an independent investigation into accounting allegations made by whistleblower.

Represented general counsel of public company in relation to SEC investigation into potential wrongdoing by chief executive and financial officers.

Successfully represented owner of SPAC and its manager in SEC investigation initiated in response to short-seller report.

Represented oilfield services company in responding to SEC investigation into Rule 10b5-1 plans and insider trading policies.

Represented national bank in responding to requests from SEC Division of Examinations.

Successfully represented hedge fund partners in responding to Wells notice from SEC indicating an intention to bring charges.

Represented tech start-ups in Regulation CF and insider data inquiries.

SEC Enforcement Actions and Administrative Proceedings

Served as lead attorney in In the Matter of KBR, Inc., the SEC’s first enforcement action under Rule 21F-17 of the Dodd-Frank Whistleblower Rules. The resulting order set a national precedent, influencing corporate whistleblower policies, internal investigation protocols, and confidentiality agreements across the country.

Acted as co-lead investigative attorney in In the Matter of Nikola Corp., a high-profile ESG/SPAC fraud investigation involving an alleged zero-emissions transportation company. The matter resulted in findings of violations of antifraud and disclosure control provisions of the federal securities laws and the imposition of a $125 million penalty.

Co-led the investigation in SEC v. Trevor R. Milton, which charged Nikola Motor Corporation’s founder and former CEO with making numerous fraudulent statements to raise over $1 billion from public and private investors through a SPAC transaction.

Led settled administrative proceedings against a public company, its founder, and former CEO for fraud related to undisclosed executive perquisites, improper stock pledges, and violations of books and records, internal accounting controls, and proxy rules.

Served as lead attorney in settled administrative proceedings against Tandy Leather Factory, Inc. and its former CEO, addressing failures in accounting, reporting, disclosure controls and procedures, and internal controls over financial reporting.

Served as lead attorney in a $7.4 million aviation investment scheme in the Western District of Texas, coordinating with criminal authorities on a parallel case.

Led the investigation in the Western District of Texas into a $6.3 million offering fraud involving a Texas state senator and others, and assisted the FBI and DOJ in the successful criminal prosecution.

Recognitions

Ranked in Chambers USA for Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations (Texas), 2023-2026
Selected to the 500 Leading Litigators in America, Lawdragon, 2023-2025
Selected as a member of the Enforcement Elite, Securities Docket, 2024-2025

Credentials

Education

University of Chicago Law School, 2008, J.D., Equal Justice of America Fellow
University of Texas at Austin, 2004, B.A., Phi Beta Kappa; National Merit Scholarship, University Scholar