Debevoise & Plimpton LLP today announced that Julie M. Riewe, former Co-Chief of the Asset Management Unit of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement, will join the firm in March as a partner in the White Collar & Regulatory Defense Group.
As Co-Chief of the Unit for the past two-and-a-half years, Ms. Riewe oversaw a staff of nearly 80 attorneys, industry experts and other professionals in 12 SEC offices, and was responsible for directing the SEC’s enforcement efforts involving private equity and hedge funds, registered investment companies, BDCs and other asset managers. She personally supervised nationally prominent matters involving private fund valuation, allocation practices, conflicts of interest, improper termination and monitoring fees, performance advertising, allocation of expenses, mutual fund distribution, cross trades, Form ADV and prospectus disclosure, custody and compliance issues. Further, she regularly represented the SEC at meetings with other federal, state, and foreign civil and criminal authorities. In recognition of her leadership and integrity, she received the Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Leadership in 2015.
“Julie’s expertise fits squarely within our strategic goal of supporting and expanding our highly successful asset management enforcement and compliance practice,” said Debevoise Presiding Partner Michael W. Blair. “Her addition will solidify our market position as a virtually unrivaled leader in the regulatory defense of private equity firms, hedge funds and other asset managers.”
Ms. Riewe is the second former Co-Chief of the Asset Management Unit to join Debevoise. In 2012, the firm welcomed Robert B. Kaplan, Co-Chief of the Unit for two years, as a partner in the Washington, D.C. office.
In addition to her depth of experience in leading the Asset Management Unit, Ms. Riewe also brings a broad range of experience in other SEC and FINRA enforcement program areas, including FCPA, broker-dealer regulation, insider trading, financial reporting and securities registration issues.
“Adding a partner of Julie’s caliber expands Debevoise’s role as the go-to law firm for asset management enforcement,” said Deputy Presiding Partner Bruce E. Yannett. “The SEC’s enforcement activity against asset managers has become statutorily entrenched with the passage of Dodd-Frank and institutionally entrenched by the creation of the Asset Management Unit, making Julie’s arrival particularly timely and beneficial to our many clients in this space.”
Ms. Riewe’s rapid rise through the SEC resulted in her being named Co-Chief of the Asset Management Unit in the span of only eight years. She began her SEC career in 2005 as a Staff Attorney in the Enforcement Division in Washington D.C. and was promoted to Branch Chief in 2008. In 2007, she earned the Ellen B. Ross Award, which was given in recognition of her exemplary commitment, enthusiasm and performance to the mission of the SEC. In 2010, she was promoted to the role of Assistant Director in the newly formed Asset Management Unit.
She was subsequently appointed Co-Deputy Chief of the Unit in 2012 and, ultimately, to Co-Chief in 2013. She received her undergraduate degree, J.D. and master’s in public policy from Duke University and, upon graduation from law school, clerked with the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, after which she joined a Washington, D.C. law firm as an associate before moving into government service.
“I am excited to join Debevoise and help further expand the firm’s presence in Washington, D.C.,” Ms. Riewe said. “Debevoise has both a top-flight regulatory defense practice and a deep roster of clients in the asset management space. The firm is an ideal fit for me to begin this next stage of my career.”
About the White Collar & Regulatory Defense Group
The White Collar & Regulatory Defense Group is made up of highly experienced career defense lawyers, as well as former federal prosecutors and regulators. The team is a key practice within Debevoise’s Litigation Department, which was named The American Lawyer’s “Litigation Department of the Year” in 2014. Debevoise lawyers are recognized as leaders in the field, and several partners in the group have held prominent positions at key governmental agencies, including the SEC and DOJ. With years of experience successfully representing companies, boards of directors and individual executives in a wide range of securities-related matters, including FCPA, insider trading, financial fraud, accounting fraud and investment advisor liability, Debevoise lawyers have the skills and experience to develop strategies to respond to regulatory inquiries in an efficient and effective manner and to reach favorable resolutions for clients, in some cases even before investigations are made public.
About Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is a premier law firm with market-leading practices, a global perspective and strong New York roots. We deliver effective solutions to our clients’ most important legal challenges, applying clear commercial judgment and a distinctively collaborative approach.