Perkins Coie Adds Financial Services Regulatory Partner David Sewell to Expanding New York Office

Perkins Coie is pleased to announce that David Sewell has joined the firm’s Financial Transactions practice and Fintech industry group as a partner in the expanding New York office.

David focuses his practice on advising banks, nonbank financial institutions, and fintech companies on federal banking laws and regulations, with a particular focus on anti-money laundering procedures, sanctions, and financial crime compliance issues. He deals regularly with federal and state bank regulatory and law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve Banks, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Office of Foreign Assets Control, and state banking departments.

“We’re pleased to welcome David to our team as the financial marketplace continues to evolve and particularly with respect to fintech and the growth of cryptocurrencies, which are coming under increasing scrutiny from regulators around the world,” said Chian Wu, chair of Perkins Coie’s Financial Transactions practice. “David’s private sector and government experience—including with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York—will be very valuable to our clients in New York and beyond.”

David counsels clients on investments, activities, supervisory examinations, and formal and informal enforcement actions and provides regulatory advice on charter and licensing matters as well as requests for interpretive relief. He also helps financial institutions develop and refine their compliance policies and procedures. In addition to his time in private practice, David served as counsel and assistant vice president at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and as executive director for regulatory strategy and engagement at JPMorgan Chase.

“David’s strong background at the intersection of banking and government oversight will benefit our clients in navigating a complex regulatory environment,” said Ron Sarubbi, Perkins Coie’s New York office managing partner. “His understanding of the banking and technology sectors will help us to continue to provide our clients with both effective and insightful legal counsel.”

David joins Perkins Coie from Debevoise & Plimpton, where he was counsel in the New York office. He earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center, his M.A. from Columbia University, and his B.A., with high honors, from Wesleyan University.