Barbara's practice focuses on advising U.S. and foreign financial institutions on their regulatory and compliance obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the Bank Secrecy Act. Barbara represents foreign and domestic banks, asset managers and broker-dealers on various regulatory aspects of Dodd-Frank, including Volcker and those provisions involving municipal advisors, investment advisers, and securities-based swap dealers. Barbara's practice also focuses on the regulatory obligations of domestic and cross-border fund raising activities including broker-dealer, finder and placement agent status questions, sales practice requirements and the federal and state pay-to-play, ethics and lobbying regulations.
Before entering private practice, she worked at the SEC's Division of Market Regulation (now Trading and Markets), where she served as Special Counsel in the Office of the Chief Counsel and as an Attorney-Advisor in the Office of Risk Management and Control. She also served as Senior Counsel in the Commission's Office of International Affairs. Prior to joining the firm, Barbara practiced at prominent law firms in Washington, D.C. and London. As part of the Financial Services Volunteer Corp, she regularly provides pro bono technical assistance to emerging markets on the regulatory and supervisory systems of markets and market intermediaries, including Jordan, the UAE, Russia, and Romania.
Career History
Partner, Allen & Overy LLP, Washington, D.C., 2011
Partner, O'Melveny & Myers LLP, Washington, D.C., 2003-2011
Counsel, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, 2000-2003
Legal Qualifications
Admitted to the Bar, District of Columbia, 1997
Admitted to the Bar, State of California, 1995
Academic Qualifications
LL.M., London School of Economics and Political Science, 1995
J.D., Pepperdine University, 1994
M.B.A. in Finance and Economics, Pepperdine University, 1993
B.A, University of California, 1989