Former Chief Investigative Counsel for the Office of the SIGTARP Bolsters Firm’s Investigations and Compliance Capabilities

Bass, Berry & Sims PLC is pleased to announce that Michael J. Rivera has joined the firm’s Washington, D.C. office as a member in the Compliance & Government Investigations Practice Group. His hire marks the continued and noteworthy growth in the firm’s D.C. office. Rivera brings more than two decades of experience representing businesses and individuals in securities enforcement proceedings and internal investigations.  Rivera offers clients an enforcement-side perspective drawn from his previous roles in the federal government conducting securities and financial investigations.  In addition, Rivera’s experience adds greater depth to the firm’s Broker-Dealer & Financial Products Practice Group.

“We are excited to continue growing our D.C. office with talented attorneys like Michael who share our commitment to client-centered service and results,” said John Kelly, managing partner of the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. “He is the latest of many attorneys at the firm who have previously served in government enforcement roles and now guide clients through enforcement proceedings and investigations.  Michael brings a holistic legal approach and perspective to further bolster our compliance and government investigations practice as well as our broker-dealer team.”

Rivera previously served as the Chief Investigative Counsel for the Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP), where he oversaw more than 200 financial fraud investigations. In this role, he also served as the lead liaison with top management of government law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Obama administration’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (FFETF). He also established SIGTARP’s joint task force with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Further, Rivera worked as an enforcement attorney for the SEC handling securities investigations.

At Bass, Berry & Sims, Rivera focuses his practice on representing broker-dealers, investment advisors, investment funds, financial institutions, public companies and individuals in securities enforcement investigations, regulatory examinations, compliance matters and internal investigations.  Rivera advises clients on matters related to the SEC, DOJ, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), CFPB, stock exchanges, and inspectors general offices.  His matters involve the federal securities laws, corporate and securities issues, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), TARP, anti-money laundering laws and other financial regulations.

Rivera earned his undergraduate degree from St. John’s University and his law degree at the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

About Bass, Berry & Sims PLC

With more than 280 attorneys representing numerous publicly traded companies and Fortune 500 businesses, Bass, Berry & Sims PLC has been involved in some of the largest and most significant business transactions, investigations and litigation matters in the country. For more information, visit www.bassberry.com.