Paul McCurdy is chair of Kelley Drye & Warren and chair of the firm's Broker-Dealer practice group. He focuses his practice on representing retail, clearing, direct access and advisory firms in regulatory, enforcement, compliance, corporate and litigation matters.
Mr. McCurdy represents clients in internal investigations; market surveillance and enforcement examinations, proceedings and contested matters; and state registration issues. His specific experience in these areas includes trade disputes, customer complaints, clearing agreements, subordination agreements, USA Patriot Act compliance programs, SEC Rules 15c3-1 and 15c3-3, and margin issues. He has represented and defended witnesses in regulatory matters in more than 150 on-the-record interviews.
Mr. McCurdy also assists investment advisory firms and hedge funds with fund structure and formation, SEC vs. state registration compliance, performance fees, fee agreements, and Section 28(e) and Form ADV disclosure issues. In addition, he handles high-level executive employment agreements for employees of financial services firms.
Representative Experience
Represented an exchange specialist firm in a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) administrative law hearing.
Represented a fully disclosed clearing firm in an arbitration resulting in recovery of 100 percent of claims plus attorneys' fees.
Represented clients in more than 25 reported New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) hearing panel decisions and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) letters of acceptance, waiver and consent (AWCs).
Represented an international broker-dealer in a mutual fund B-share investigation.
Represented former NYSE directors in the New York Attorney General v. Grasso litigation.
Represented numerous broker-dealers in 15c3-1, 15c3-3 and supervisory investigations.
Represented retail firms in dozens of regulatory investigations and arbitrations.
Memberships & Associations
Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), Legal & Compliance Division
Connecticut Bar Association
New York State Bar Association
Professional Activities
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, arbitrator, chairperson
Community Activities
Lafayette College, Board of Trustees
Lafayette College Alumni Association, president, 2008-2010
Lafayette College Alumni Association, president elect, 2006-2007
Joe Torre Safe-@-Home Foundation, Development Committee, 2003-present
Department of Parks & Recreation, Town of New Canaan, Conn., commissioner, 1999-2005
YMCA, New Canaan, Conn., director, 1997-2003
Stamford Symphony Orchestra, counsel, 1998-1999, director, 1997-1999
YMCA, Stamford, Conn., director, 1992-1995
Honors & Awards
Ranked nationally as a leading practitioner in the Broker-Dealer area by Chambers USA, 2008-2012.
Martindale-Hubbell — A/V Rated.
