WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 26, 2013) – Morrison & Foerster today announced that Julian E. Hammar has joined the firm’s Energy and Financial Service Regulatory Practices in Washington, D.C. With more than a decade of experience as assistant general counsel at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Mr. Hammar brings extensive knowledge regarding Dodd-Frank compliance, the Commodity Exchange Act, and CFTC regulatory enforcement to the firm’s energy and financial services clients. His practice focuses on futures, derivatives and commodities, energy regulatory compliance and enforcement, corporate and securities matters.
“We are delighted to welcome Julian to the firm,” said Bradley Lui, managing partner of the Washington, D.C. office. “Dodd Frank established a comprehensive regime through which the CFTC regulates swaps and other kinds of derivatives and commodities. Julian’s considerable experience at the CFTC, including drafting key rule-making provisions, will prove a tremendous asset to our clients as they navigate exchange rules, disclosure regulations and pricing requirements.”
During his 13 years at the CFTC, Mr. Hammar drafted regulations related to the Dodd-Frank Act, including regulations relating to the product definitions (e.g., the definition of the term “swap”), entity definitions, commodity options, and the Volcker Rule. In addition, Mr. Hammar handled complex matters involving securities and futures regulation and drafted CFTC adjudicatory opinions in administrative enforcement and reparations cases under the Commodity Exchange Act.
“Morrison & Foerster’s exceptional reputation across the energy and financial service sectors attracted me to the firm,” said Mr. Hammar. “My experience is a great fit here, and I look forward to helping further enhance the firm’s growing energy enforcement and compliance practice, as well as contributing to the continued success of the firm’s comprehensive financial services regulatory practice.”
Mr. Hammar joined the firm from Covington & Burling, where he was special counsel. Associate Michael R. Sorrell, Jr., who has represented derivatives and energy clients in enforcement proceedings brought by the CFTC and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), has also joined Morrison & Foerster from Covington. Mr. Hammar and Mr. Sorrell’s hires mark the latest addition to Morrison & Foerster’s Energy Practice in recent months, following Robert Fleishman’s arrival to the firm’s Washington, D.C. office in July. Mr. Fleishman has a leading practice defending clients in connection with FERC investigations and enforcement actions, which dovetails with Mr. Hammar’s CFTC work.
Mr. Hammar earned his J.D. from Duke University School of Law, where he was an editor of the Alaska Law Review, his M.A. from Duke University and his B.A. from Yale University, cum laude. He is well-recognized in Legal 500 US in the Energy: Litigation and Regulatory category and was the recipient of the Chairman’s Exceptional Service Award during his time at the CFTC.
Morrison & Foerster’s Energy Practice has been ranked as a leader in the industry for its energy regulatory & litigation, renewables & alternative energy, and energy project expertise in Chambers Global, Chambers USA and Chambers Asia-Pacific, as well as in Legal 500 US and Legal 500 Asia-Pacific. Morrison & Foerster ranked in Tier 1 in Energy Law nationally in the U.S. News – Best Lawyers annual Best Law Firms report, with the Washington, D.C. office ranking prominently in Energy, Natural Resources and Oil & Gas Law. The Recorder named Morrison & Foerster’s Environment & Energy Group to its list of Leading Northern California Environmental Law Practice Groups and Law360 recognized Morrison & Foerster for two consecutive years as the Project Finance Group of the Year.
Morrison & Foerster’s Financial Services Practice is ranked one of the premier financial services practices in the United States. We have been involved in every federal legislative and regulatory initiative involving or affecting banking over the past 30 years, including proposals addressing bank powers, the regulation of consumer lending, fair lending, mortgage lending reform, privacy and information sharing, electronic fund transfers and other payment systems, capital requirements, and other matters affecting the banking industry. We are one of the few firms in the United States that has combined expertise in financial services, with highly evolved work in capital markets, debt trading, derivatives, commodities, financial product structuring, investment management, and restructuring.
- Ranked Band 1 in Chambers USA 2013 in Financial Services Regulation in the category of Consumer Finance (Compliance); also ranked in the category of Banking (Compliance)
- Ranked by IFLR1000 as a leading firm for financial services regulation
- Named Law Firm of the Year by Operational Risk & Regulation magazine