McGuireWoods announced that it has added two partners to its Los Angeles office, strengthening the firm’s securities enforcement and regulatory counseling capabilities as part of its broader West Coast expansion. The firm hired Gary Leung, the former regional director of the Los Angeles office of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, along with Jodi Lopez, a nationally recognized attorney focused on accountant and auditor defense. Both attorneys joined McGuireWoods’ Securities Enforcement & Regulatory Counseling Practice Group.
Leung spent more than a decade at the SEC and most recently served as director of the agency’s Los Angeles Regional Office and associate director in the Division of Enforcement. In that role, he oversaw a team of more than 70 investigative attorneys, trial attorneys and enforcement accountants responsible for investigating and litigating federal securities law violations across Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii and Guam. His responsibilities included supervising more than 100 investigations and about 80 SEC enforcement actions in federal and administrative courts. Before joining the SEC in 2012, Leung had previously worked at McGuireWoods as a litigation partner in the firm’s Chicago office.
Lopez joins the firm from Sidley Austin, where she represented accounting firms, public companies, corporate directors and officers, and private equity firms in regulatory investigations and litigation matters involving financial reporting, accounting, disclosure and tax issues. She has been nationally recognized for her work in accountant and auditor liability, including a ranking in Chambers USA and recognition as a Client Service All-Star by BTI Consulting Group for securities and professional liability litigation.
At McGuireWoods, Lopez will also co-lead the firm’s Accountant & Auditor Liability Practice Area, reinforcing the firm’s long-standing focus on defending accounting firms and financial professionals in complex enforcement matters.
The hires are part of a broader effort by McGuireWoods to expand its West Coast footprint and deepen its capabilities in securities enforcement and financial regulatory matters. The firm recently added private equity partner Zachary Shub-Essig in Los Angeles and launched a Seattle office led by a nationally recognized litigation team.
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“After a distinguished career at the SEC, including his role overseeing the enforcement program and operations of the commission’s third-largest regional office, Gary brings a wealth of knowledge to our securities enforcement practice. Jodi’s nationally recognized work and sterling reputation in the area of accountant and auditor liability adds great depth for our audit and accounting firm clients on the West Coast and nationwide.”
Noreen Kelly, Deputy Managing Partner For Litigation At McGuireWoods
“Gary’s experience supervising complex enforcement cases across the full spectrum of securities law will be invaluable to clients. Jodi has a stellar track record defending accounting firms and financial professionals in high-stakes matters. Together, their deep understanding of the regulatory landscape will help our clients anticipate and manage risks.”
Mark Kinghorn, Chair Of McGuireWoods’ Financial Services & Securities Enforcement Department
“After 13 years at the SEC, I am thrilled to return to McGuireWoods and put my enforcement experience to work for clients. The firm’s deep bench in securities enforcement and regulatory counseling, combined with its national platform, provides a solid foundation to serve clients.”
Gary Leung, Partner At McGuireWoods
“Joining McGuireWoods is an exciting opportunity to build on the firm’s strong securities enforcement platform and expand its accountant and auditor defense capabilities. I look forward to working alongside Gary and our talented team to deliver results for our clients.”
Jodi Lopez, Partner At McGuireWoods
“Gary and Jodi are outstanding additions to our Los Angeles office, furthering our commitment to building a premier team that can handle clients’ most critical legal challenges from coast to coast.”
Alice Youngbar, Managing Partner Of McGuireWoods’ Los Angeles Office
