With two decades of experience at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Jeff represents companies trading billions in global financial markets.
Jeff counsels financial institutions, trading firms, and market participants across a broad range of asset classes, including futures, swaps, foreign currency, digital assets, commodities, and securities. He represents clients in civil and criminal government investigations and enforcement actions, internal investigations, litigation, and regulatory compliance matters. Leveraging his deep familiarity with sophisticated trading strategies and advanced data analytics, Jeff quickly grasps the intricacies of clients’ trading operations and provides practical, actionable guidance.
Before entering government service, Jeff served as a first-chair partner in commercial and financial litigation matters at a major law firm. In 2005, he joined the CFTC’s newly established enforcement in Kansas City, where he spent 20 years leading high-profile investigations and litigations involving financial fraud and manipulation. Jeff led teams of attorneys, investigators, and forensic economists—often in parallel with state and federal authorities—to develop and prosecute complex financial fraud and manipulation enforcement actions. He played a key role in the CFTC’s adaptation to electronic trading and pioneered the use of data analytics to uncover and litigate trading misconduct.
Notably, Jeff’s leadership in the landmark CFTC v. Sarao investigation and litigation led to a detail with the Department of Justice’s Fraud Section (Criminal Division), where he further advanced data-driven investigative and litigation strategies in both civil and criminal settings. Throughout his government service, Jeff maintained first-chair responsibility for major actions nationwide.
Jeff’s extensive government experience gives him unique insight into how agencies conduct investigations, analyze data, and build enforcement cases. He understands both the strengths and limitations of government approaches and he maintains strong working relationships with regulators at the CFTC, SEC, FINRA, DOJ, and state agencies.
Jeff also understands the operational realities and business goals of trading firms. He has sat side-by-side with data analysts, reviewed thousands of trading datasets, and engaged with sophisticated trading strategies—enabling him to offer advice that is both legal sound and commercially useful.
A hands-on advocate who understands the nuances of financial markets, Jeff is committed to immersing himself in the details of each client’s operations to deliver tailored, effective solutions.