Armstrong Teasdale announces the addition of Partner A. Valerie Mirko to the firm’s Washington, D.C., office. She joins a roster of more than 750 lawyers and staff professionals across Armstrong Teasdale’s 17 offices internationally.
Mirko joins the firm as co-leader of the Securities Regulation and Litigation practice area and represents broker-dealers, asset managers ─ including retail and wealth management firms ─ and private fund advisers in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) enforcement matters as well as in connection with examinations and regulatory matters. Her practice focuses on issues related to conflicts of interest, distribution channels and marketing, safeguards and custody, and cybersecurity. She also conducts internal investigations designed to advise and assist broker-dealers and investment advisers in preventing or responding to regulatory actions.
“Valerie’s experience and deep regulatory background will enable us to better serve our broker-dealer, investment adviser, and asset manager clients that have sophisticated regulatory litigation and advisory needs,” said Managing Partner Patrick Rasche. “I look forward to the firm’s continued growth in serving our securities industry clients, and to the skills and leadership Valerie brings in that arena.”
“Valerie’s practice allows us to expand our offerings for our clients in the financial services and emerging growth industry sectors,” said Partner and Corporate Services Practice Group Leader Jennifer Byrne. “Valerie is pragmatic and leverages her in-house and public sector experiences when assessing regulatory and enforcement risk for clients.”
Mirko joins a robust team of corporate, securities and financial industry lawyers across Armstrong Teasdale markets, all of whom also have extensive experience with inquiries, investigations and enforcement actions initiated by the SEC, FINRA and state securities agencies. Mirko complements and improves Armstrong Teasdale’s existing team with her keen understanding of regulators’ policy positions and operations, as well as the impact of technology on regulation and the investment management industry.
“Valerie has successfully represented clients in a range of securities and regulatory matters that are complementary to our existing capabilities,” said Partner and Securities Regulation and Litigation practice Co-Leader John Sten. “I look forward to working alongside her as the firm continues to grow and am confident she will be a valuable asset to our clients.”
Prior to returning to private practice in 2019, Mirko was General Counsel of the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), the association of state securities regulators. She was General Counsel from 2015 to 2019, having joined NASAA in 2012 and taken on leadership duties beginning in 2014. At NASAA, Mirko actively contributed to federal-state regulatory coordination with the SEC and FINRA.
Prior to joining the firm, Mirko served as a partner in the financial regulation and enforcement practice of a global law firm from 2019 to 2023.
