McGuireWoods Adds Former SEC Regional Director and Leading Accountant & Auditor Defense Lawyer in L.A. – McGuireWoods

Key Takeaways

• Gary Leung joins as securities enforcement partner.
• Jodi Lopez adds auditor defense expertise.
• Boosts McGuireWoods' SEC regulatory capabilities.
• Advances firm's West Coast expansion agenda.
• Prepares firm for increasing enforcement actions.

Summary

McGuireWoods announced the addition of Gary Leung, former SEC Los Angeles regional director, and Jodi Lopez, a nationally recognized accountant and auditor defense lawyer, as partners in its Los Angeles office. The hires expand the firm’s securities enforcement and regulatory counseling capabilities. Leung brings insider enforcement experience, while Lopez adds depth in audit‑risk defense. Their arrival supports McGuireWoods’ broader West Coast expansion strategy.

Pulse Analysis

The legal market has seen a surge in former regulator hires, as firms scramble to meet the growing complexity of securities enforcement. Practitioners who have led investigations at agencies such as the SEC bring insider knowledge of investigative tactics, policy priorities, and enforcement trends. This insider perspective shortens the learning curve for corporate clients navigating investigations, settlements, or whistle‑blower actions. Consequently, law firms that can integrate former agency officials into their practice groups gain a competitive edge, attracting high‑stakes clients seeking proactive defense strategies.

McGuireWoods' latest moves exemplify that strategy. Gary Leung, the former regional director of the SEC’s Los Angeles office, joins as a partner in the firm’s securities enforcement team, while Jodi Lopez, a nationally recognized accountant‑and‑auditor defense attorney, bolsters the firm’s audit‑risk practice. Leung’s experience overseeing regional investigations equips the firm with granular insight into the SEC’s enforcement playbook, especially on California‑based issuers. Lopez adds depth in defending public‑company accountants against PCAOB and SEC scrutiny, complementing the firm’s existing regulatory counseling capabilities.

The combined expertise positions McGuireWoods to capture a larger share of the West Coast market, where technology, biotech, and fintech companies face heightened regulatory scrutiny. Clients benefit from a one‑stop service that blends enforcement defense with audit‑risk mitigation, reducing the need to coordinate multiple counsel. As the SEC ramps up enforcement in areas like ESG disclosures and digital assets, the firm’s expanded team is poised to advise on compliance, negotiate settlements, and litigate when necessary. This strategic hiring underscores the firm’s commitment to growth and signals to competitors that McGuireWoods is deepening its foothold in a lucrative jurisdiction.