Perkins Coie is pleased to announce that former U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Branch Chief Valerie Dahiya has joined the firm’s Corporate practice as a partner in the Washington, D.C. office. She joins as a member of the firm’s Blockchain Technology & Digital Currency industry group and the Investment Management practice.
“Perkins Coie is an industry leader at the intersection of law, technology, investment management and financial services,” said J. Dax Hansen, Chair of Perkins Coie’s Blockchain Technology & Digital Currency industry group. “In order to stay up-to-speed in this rapidly changing space, we fill our ranks with attorneys whose skill sets can meet the demand. Valerie will immediately make an impact in helping our clients navigate the complex regulatory challenges and federal securities laws impacting the industry.”
Valerie joins Perkins Coie from the SEC, where she was Branch Chief in the Division of Trading and Markets, Office of Derivatives Policy and Trading Practices. The Office of Trading Practices administers the Commission’s short selling regulation (Reg SHO), in addition to Reg M, Reg AC, Rules 15c2-11, 10b-17, 10b-18, 10b-21 and Sections 12(j) and 12(k) of the Exchange Act. While at the SEC, Valerie was recognized for her involvement in high-profile projects, including implementation of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and response to the 2008 market crash. She also provided guidance on matters including the application of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 rules to cryptocurrencies, digital assets and their trading platforms and mechanisms; self-regulatory organizations’ filings, including Form ATS (alternative trading system) registrations; and regulatory changes impacting equity, debt and derivative markets.
Prior to joining the Division of Trading and Markets, Valerie led examinations and inspections of broker-dealers in the SEC’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations. In that capacity, she examined broker-dealers for compliance with Regulations SHO and NMS, the Market Access Rule, issues related to sponsored access and other electronic trading, research, books and records requirements, written supervisory procedures, information barriers, suitability and larger trader position reporting. Valerie is the second lawyer from the SEC to join Perkins Coie in less than a year; Michael Didiuk joined the firm in December 2017 after serving nearly eight years at the SEC.
“Valerie is a highly regarded former regulator who perfectly aligns with our current needs,” said Molly Moynihan, Co-Chair of Perkins Coie’s Investment Management Subgroup. “With the increased demands our attorneys are facing in blockchain tech and digital currency, Valerie’s expertise in the broker-dealer community, non-transparent ETFs, and asset management regulatory space will greatly benefit our multi-disciplinary and transactional practice groups.”
With more than 13 years of experience in the broker-dealer sector, Valerie worked in market regulation at the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) prior to joining the SEC. At FINRA, she reviewed broker-dealer activity related to federal securities law and to violations of National Association of Securities Dealers and AMEX rules. She earned her J.D. from the Seattle University School of Law and her B.A. from Seattle University.
“Valerie’s federal securities law experience will nicely complement the work that our teams are already doing in the investment and tech sectors across the country,” said Bill Malley, Managing Partner of Perkins Coie’s Washington, D.C., office. “She joins a deep bench of former federal agency lawyers here in our D.C. office and we’re excited to welcome her to the firm.”
Perkins Coie’s Blockchain Technology & Digital Currency industry group was publicly launched in May 2013 as the world’s first legal practice focused on decentralized cryptocurrencies and shared ledger technologies. It is an extension of Perkins Coie’s long history of representing fintech, internet, mobile and other technology companies. This multidisciplinary group is on the front lines of industry developments, helping clients address the complex legal issues faced by blockchain and digital currency businesses. Attorneys in this industry group provide product counseling, regulatory investigations and compliance counseling, litigation support, consumer protection counseling and business transaction assistance. Clients include shared ledger consortia platforms, exchanges, wallet providers, payment processors, investors and industry associations.
Perkins Coie’s Investment Management attorneys handle a wide range of issues arising under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and related rules and regulations. Advising both market participants and investors (including pension plans and other sophisticated investors), the group has extensive experience in all aspects of asset management law. The firm devotes senior-level attention to clients, thereby providing them with the greatest level of experience, knowledge and talent to facilitate and enhance their business operations and investments.
Perkins Coie is a leading international law firm that is known for providing high value, strategic solutions and extraordinary client service on matters vital to our clients’ success. With more than 1,000 lawyers in offices across the United States and in Beijing, Shanghai and Taipei, we provide a full array of corporate, commercial litigation, intellectual property and regulatory legal advice to a broad range of clients, including many of the world’s most innovative companies and industry leaders as well as public and not-for-profit organizations.
