Former SEC Lawyer Joins BCLP’s Litigation & Investigations Practice

International law firm BCLP announced today the addition of Partner Josh Hess to the firm’s Financial Disputes and Investigations practice. Josh joins the firm’s Atlanta office.

Formerly with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s Enforcement Division, Josh focuses his practice on securities enforcement, regulatory investigations, and complex commercial litigation. With 15 years of experience in the field, including six years as an enforcement lawyer with both the SEC and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Josh has led a wide range of investigations and litigated a host of disputes.

At the SEC, Josh spearheaded investigations and brought enforcement actions from across the Enforcement landscape: His experience includes, for example, potential cryptocurrency-related misconduct, Section 5 issues, corporate disclosure matters, insider trading, investment-adviser breaches of fiduciary duty, supervision issues, Ponzi schemes, and other types of fraud. In addition, working in the Enforcement Division’s Office of Chief Counsel, Josh briefed and advised the SEC’s Enforcement Director, Deputy Director, Chief Counsel, and other Enforcement staff nationwide on numerous Enforcement actions, giving him a programmatic view of the SEC’s enforcement portfolio.

Prior to joining the SEC, Josh served in FINRA’s Main Enforcement Division, handling matters related to, for example, supervision, investment suitability, mutual-fund switching, and exercising discretion without written authorization. At both the SEC and FINRA, Josh worked with U.S. Attorney’s offices, the FBI, and state authorities. Before joining FINRA, Josh was an associate at two global law firms, where he represented clients in SEC Enforcement, securities and shareholder litigation, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and other complex commercial litigation matters.

“We are excited to welcome Josh to our team,” said Lee Marshall, Global Department Leader of Litigation & Investigations. “His deep experience and insights from his time at both the SEC and FINRA, along with his ability to lead complex securities enforcement and regulatory matters, will enhance our capabilities greatly. Josh’s experience will be invaluable to our clients as we further bolster our bench strength in key areas of financial regulation.”