James McGinnis Returns to Ropes & Gray’s Asset Management Team in Washington, D.C.

In The News
April 18, 2022

Ropes & Gray today announced the appointment of James (Jamie) McGinnis as a Washington, D.C.-based counsel in its market-leading asset management practice.

Jamie re-joins the firm from the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services, where he served as a Senior Policy Advisor and Senior Counsel, Securities and Capital Markets. Prior to working on Capitol Hill, he served as Senior Counsel in the Division of Investment Management at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Jamie brings to clients a deep, current knowledge of the regulatory and political trends that are affecting asset managers. At the Committee on Financial Services, Jamie advised Members of Congress on a broad range of issues, including drafting legislation for securities-related issues. Jamie also negotiated the contents of numerous bills, including the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, a bill intended to provide a comprehensive statutory prohibition on insider trading, bills intended to provide a legislative response to the statute of limitations on certain SEC actions imposed by the Supreme Court’s Kokesh decision, and bills intended to expand retail investor access to private funds and companies.

At the SEC’s Division of Investment Management, he drafted rulemaking proposals for investment companies and investment advisers and, in the Chief Counsel’s Office, provided guidance on various topics ranging from digital currency asset custody to emergency order powers under the various federal securities laws. Jamie was awarded the SEC’s Chairman’s Law and Policy Award in 2018 for his dedication to the goals of the securities laws.

“Jamie’s in-depth subject matter knowledge will enhance how our clients identify and approach significant commercial, regulatory and economic issues, understand emerging trends, and craft innovative solutions,” said Bryan Chegwidden, global head of the firm’s asset management group.  “He brings with him a deep understanding of the complex political and regulatory issues that are relevant to our valued global clients.”

Before joining the SEC, Jamie was a member of Ropes & Gray’s investment management team, working on numerous issues for registered funds and investment advisers.

“Ropes & Gray is the firm of choice for global asset managers on all of their most complex issues. I am excited to return to the firm where I started my legal career,” Jamie said.

Globally, more than 300 Ropes & Gray partners, counsel and associates advise a global client base of asset management firms, including fund sponsors, investors, and investment advisers, on all aspects of their business.