Stuart J. Kaswell

Stuart J. Kaswell is MFA's Executive Vice President & Managing Director, General Counsel. In his role as chief legal officer, Stuart represents the hedge fund industry on domestic and international legislative and regulatory policy issues. Stuart works directly with MFA's President & CEO to oversee all legal aspects of the Association's legislative and regulatory policy initiatives in Washington and around the world.

Prior to joining MFA, Stuart was Partner in Bryan Cave's White Collar Defense & Investigations, Securities Litigations & Enforcement practice groups and focused on issues including financial services regulation and short sale regulation. Previously, Stuart was Partner in the financial services group at Dechert, LLP. Stuart was Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Securities Industry Association for nearly a decade (1994-2003) serving as chief legal officer and responsible for all legal and regulatory matters. Prior to that, he was Republican (Minority) Counsel, Committee on Energy and Commerce, U.S. House of Representatives. Earlier in his career, (1979-1986) he held several positions at the Securities and Exchange Commission, including as branch chief, OTC regulation, during which time he was responsible for oversight of the NASD. Stuart received his A.B. in political science from Vassar College with General and Departmental Honors, and his J.D., from Washington College of Law, The American University. His bar admissions include Virginia, District of Columbia, Maryland, U.S. Supreme Court and various Federal Courts.