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Bingham Hires FINRA Enforcement Chief

Bingham McCutchen hired Susan Merrill, the head of enforcement at the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), as a partner in its broker-dealer group in New York.

Merrill will lead Bingham’s enforcement practice and will advise financial industry clients
on regulatory and securities enforcement matters.

As FINRA’s executive vice president and chief of enforcement, she led the division that was responsible for investigating and prosecuting violations of federal securities laws and FINRA rules governing securities firms.

In 2004, Merrill joined New York Stock Exchange Regulation as its enforcement chief. She
continued in that role when much of NYSE Regulation merged with the National Association
of Securities Dealers
in 2007 to form FINRA.

Before joining NYSE Regulation, Merrill was a partner at Davis Polk & Wardwell for 10 years where she represented leading brokerdealers, investment advisers and Fortune 500 companies in investigations before the Securities and Exchange Commission, the NYSE and the NASD. She also conducted internal investigations and consulted on regulatory compliance matters.

“Susan is a recognized leader in the securities field,” said Bingham Chairman Jay Zimmerman. “Her arrival to Bingham exemplifies our investment and commitment to
building the strongest securities team and advising clients in the most complex matters,
nationally and globally.”

Neal Sullivan, head of Bingham’s broker-dealer group and co-leader of the firm’s financial
services area, noted that Merrill brings a valuable perspective to clients facing an everchanging
landscape in securities law.

“Susan joining our practice is another step in enhancing our nationally renowned
securities enforcement team,” Sullivan said. “Her keen insight and depth of knowledge
from both the private and public sectors will provide immediate value to our clients. She’s
a perfect fit.”

“Bingham’s drive and strategic vision to continue to grow its securities practice impressed
me,” Merrill said. She noted the firm's reputation among industry leaders as well as the camaraderie among its lawyers. “There’s an energy and enthusiasm here that is contagious, and I wanted to be part of it.”

Merrill is the latest in recent Bingham hires from key regulatory agencies and the financial industry over the last 16 months. Most recently, Bingham added in March Lizzie Baird, who focuses on securities enforcement defense, internal investigations, and regulatory and corporate counseling, as a partner in Washington from O’Melveny & Meyers.

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