O’Melveny announced that James R. Burns and Brant K. Brown have joined the firm as partners in Washington, D.C.
The additions strengthen the firm’s regulatory, compliance, and enforcement capabilities for financial services clients.
Burns and Brown join from Cleary Gottlieb, where they practiced together in the firm’s Financial Institutions Group. The two lawyers have worked together and in parallel for more than 20 years.
They have built a market-leading trading and markets practice advising major broker-dealers, exchanges, clearing agencies, private fund investment advisers, and other market participants.
Their experience also includes senior public-sector roles. Burns previously served in senior leadership roles at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, while Brown previously served at the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
Burns focuses on regulatory, compliance, and enforcement matters for broker-dealers, exchanges, clearing agencies, alternative trading systems, hedge funds, private equity clients, SEC-registered entities, and boards.
He brings more than 25 years of experience, including six years at the SEC. His SEC roles included serving as investment management and enforcement counsel to Commissioner Kathleen Casey, counsel and deputy chief of staff to Chair Mary Schapiro, and deputy director of the Division of Trading and Markets.
Brown advises broker-dealers, exchanges, clearing agencies, asset managers, and other financial institutions on federal securities laws and self-regulatory organization rules, including examinations, investigations, and enforcement matters.
His career spans more than 25 years, including more than 13 years in FINRA’s Office of General Counsel and more than a decade as associate general counsel.
O’Melveny said the additions support its continued strategic growth. Since 2023, the firm has added 53 lateral partners, including 34 corporate partners.
KEY QUOTES:
“Continuing to expand our offerings for our financial services clients—including those in the banking, private capital, and asset management sectors—is a key priority for our firm, and we are delighted to welcome Jim and Brant to the team. Jim and Brant are renowned not only for their market-leading broker-dealer practice, but also for their impressive SEC and FINRA credentials, which are crucial in this highly regulated area. Their extensive experience at the highest levels, combined with their tireless commitment to their clients, makes them a perfect fit for O’Melveny. It is a pleasure to welcome them aboard.”
Bradley J. Butwin, Chair of O’Melveny
“Joining O’Melveny was the optimal decision for us and a natural fit. We were impressed by the firm’s holistic, broad-based platform, which will immediately benefit our clients. And O’Melveny’s emphasis on teamwork and cross-practice integration aligns with our own approach. We’re excited to make this move and to call O’Melveny our professional ‘home’ for years to come.”
James R. Burns, Partner at O’Melveny
“We were also drawn to O’Melveny’s reputation for distinctive client service, and to its genuinely collaborative culture. The firm is committed to excellence in every regard, and we’re excited to work alongside our talented new colleagues, and together, help our clients achieve their goals.”
Brant K. Brown, Partner at O’Melveny
