- OVERVIEW
- INSIGHTS
- NEWS & EVENTS
INDUSTRIES
PRACTICES
-
Education
-
Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology,
J.D., with high honors
-
New College,
B.A.
-
-
Admissions
-
Georgia
-
Illinois
-
-
Recognitions
-
Listed in Illinois Super Lawyers, 2007, 2014-2024 (by Thomson Reuters)
-
Board Member, IIT/Chicago-Kent Compliance Advisory Board
-
Backed by a 30-plus-year career on the legal and regulatory side of financial markets, Rick is an insightful advisor to trading firms, brokerage firms, trade execution firms and investment managers in the futures, commodities, securities and options markets.
In addition, he regularly advises companies and ventures of all types on business formation, strategic transactions, agreements, corporate governance and general business counseling.
In his regulatory practice, Rick provides practical, straightforward advice on all aspects of trading futures, commodities, securities, options, swaps, hedging and other transactions. Rick works on a near-daily basis with regulators, and taps his experience to provide clients with candid, forthright advice about resolving an issue, whether through thoughtful negotiation or a vigorous administrative response. He has successfully represented clients before NFA, FINRA, CFTC, SEC and the various futures and securities exchanges, and frequently leads litigation efforts in these highly complex areas.
Rick represents registered and unregistered fund managers (and trading advisors) in the formation and operation of private investment funds, including onshore and offshore commodity pools. He advises electronic trading platform providers as well as licensors of trading programs and front-end systems.
Unlike many financial regulatory attorneys, Rick has direct experience in the futures and options markets, having spent the first decade of his career as a principal of futures and options arbitrage and brokerage operations. He knows the markets, understands the transactions and the language.
His practice is also bolstered by significant experience over many years in bankruptcy and creditors' rights issues. In this area, Rick has represented secured creditors, trade creditors and commercial debtors inside and outside the bankruptcy process, often leading the workout or restructuring of distressed loans covering many types of collateral.
Rick has served as adjunct professor of law at IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law, where he regularly taught courses in financial services regulation and served on the law school's Compliance Advisory Panel. For several years, Rick has organized, chaired and presented at a full-day continuing education program designed for lawyers and compliance officers who serve the futures and derivatives industry.
Thompson Coburn Publications
What’s the current landscape for CFTC cryptocurrency regulation?
New CME enforcement rules for the new year
Was that trader really 'spoofing'? Focus on the statute’s words, not the regulator’s claims
Can a futures brokerage firm pay trailing commissions to an inactive AP or his estate?
Commodities traders, know thyself: Are you a pool or prop shop?
Tips for commodity brokers and traders facing auto-renewal provisions in vendor agreements
CFTC rule change brings record-keeping relief for commodity dealers and end-users
Presentations
9th Annual Conference on Futures & Derivatives;
ITT/Chicago-Kent College of Law (Advisory Board Member) 6 hr. CLE Program, November 3, 2017
8th Annual Conference on Futures & Derivatives;
IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law (Organizer and Chairman) 6 hr. CLE Program, October 20, 2016
7th Annual Conference on Futures & Derivatives;
IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law (Organizer and Chairman) 6 hr. CLE Program, October 15, 2015
Exchange Enforcement Trends;
Chicago Bar Association. June 12, 2015
6th Annual Conference on Futures & Derivatives;
IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law (Organizer and Chairman) 6 hr. CLE Program, October 17, 2014
Legal Ethics: Ethical Issues in Hiring Traders and Brokers;
IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law, October 17, 2014
5th Annual Conference on Futures & Derivatives;
IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law (Organizer and Chairman), 6 hr. CLE Program, October 25, 2013
Legal Ethics: General Counsel vs. Chief Compliance Officer;
IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law, October 25, 2013
Chicago Bar Association Program on Financial Derivative Reform: "Exchange Enforcement Actions";
June 14, 2013
4th Annual Conference on Futures & Derivatives;
IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law (Organizer and Chairman), 6 hr. CLE Program, October 19, 2012
Legal Ethics: Ethical Boundaries for Zealous Lawyers, IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law (October 19, 2012)
The Changing Regulatory Landscape Webinar;
Markets Media, November 3, 2011
Legal Ethics: Limits on Lawyering;
IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law October 21, 2011
What's Going on Around Town in Futures and Derivatives;
IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law (Organizer and Chairman), 6 hr. CLE Program, October 21, 2011
Compliance Roundtable: Hot Issues in Financial Institutions;
IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law, October 10, 2011
Chicago Trading & Investing Summit 2011;
Presented by Markets Media, LLC, October 6, 2011
Current Issues Around Town in Futures and Derivatives;
IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law (Organizer and Chairman) 6-hour CLE Program, October 22, 2010
Legal Ethics: New Illinois Rules of Professional Responsibility and Potential Ethical Traps;
IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law (Organizer and Chairman), 6 hr. CLE Program, October 22, 2010
Risk Management, CTA 2010: Managed Futures and Commodities Investing;
Presented by Reuters Hedgeworld (Panel Moderator), June 2, 2010
Ethical Concerns in a Regulatory Enforcement Case;
IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law, October 2, 2009
Current Issues in Financial Services Law;
IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law (Organizer and Chairman) 6-hour CLE Program, October 2, 2009
Exemptions for CPOs and CTAs;
Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, November 16, 2007
Alternatives to Bankruptcy;
Illinois CPA Society, July 13, 2006
Trading Arcades;
Chicago Bar Association's Futures & Derivatives Law Committee, April 25, 2006