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Former Top-Ranking SEC Enforcement and Litigation Lawyer Joins Stradley Ronon as Partner

February 08, 2022
Firm News

PHILADELPHIA –  Stradley Ronon is pleased to announce that Jan M. Folena, former supervisory assistant chief litigation counsel in the Enforcement Division of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, has joined the firm as a partner in the securities litigation and enforcement practice. Folena is a widely recognized trial and appellate lawyer who focuses on complex securities, derivatives and financial services litigation.

“Jan has investigated, litigated and secured final judgments in many of the SEC’s most notable and complex enforcement matters across the country,” said Paula D. Shaffner, partner and chair of the firm’s securities litigation and enforcement practice. “With her more than 20 years of impressive enforcement, government experience and strong SEC relationships, we’re very excited to welcome Jan to the team.”

Folena will concentrate her practice on advising and representing clients in all types of securities matters, including those involving investment managers, financial fraud, insider trading, foreign bribery and complex financial instruments.

“Jan greatly enhances the firm’s securities litigation and enforcement practice and offers clients a unique lens, having served at both the SEC and Department of Justice,” said Jeff A. Lutsky, co-chairman and managing partner. “She was a natural choice to enhance our firm’s existing capabilities with her strong track record of high-profile successes, and we’re glad she chose Stradley to begin her next chapter in private practice.”

In her most recent role, Folena supervised and advised dozens of attorneys working on nearly 100 cases. In that capacity, she oversaw attorneys developing investigative plans, handling litigation, designing and recommending settlements, and advising commissioners and their counsel. Prior to that, Folena was assistant chief legal counsel, managing investigations and litigation in, among other matters, financial and accounting fraud cases, auditor violations, insider trading matters, and actions against asset and fund managers. During her 14 years at the SEC, Folena was a recipient of the SEC Chairman’s Award for “Outstanding Service to Main Street Investors.” In 2021, she received the Arthur F. Mathews Award — which recognizes ingenuity in the application of federal securities laws — for her work involving a multibillion-dollar hedge fund, and in 2008, 2009 and 2011, she received the Enforcement Division Director’s Award.

“Stradley has deep roots in the financial services industry and is home to many former SEC veterans. I am thrilled to be reacquainted with many of my colleagues while also joining a firm that is well known for its extraordinary team of litigators and bench strength,” said Folena.

Prior to her tenure at the SEC, Folena served as chief trial attorney in the Enforcement Division at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, where she supervised a team of attorneys investigating and litigating actions before U.S. District Courts to enforce the Commodity Exchange Act. She also served as a trial attorney in the Civil Division of the Commercial Litigation Branch of the DOJ. At the DOJ, Folena defended the United States in all aspects of commercial federal court litigation in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims as well as appeals in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Earlier in her career, she worked as the assistant district attorney in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office, representing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at all stages of criminal litigation.

Folena is currently an adjunct law professor at Antonin Scalia Law School – George Mason University, where she teaches Securities Law and Regulation. She received her J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law and her B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of Delaware.

Folena joins Stradley Ronon on the heels of the recent addition of New York-based partner Irwin M. Latner. The firm also recently added new associates, Lara N. Burke and Nathan S. Grossman, to expand the securities litigation and enforcement team.

About Stradley Ronon
Counseling clients since 1926, Stradley Ronon has helped private and public companies – from small businesses to Fortune 500 corporations – achieve their goals by providing pragmatic, value-driven legal counsel. With offices in seven strategic locations, our responsive team of more than 200 attorneys seamlessly addresses the full spectrum of our clients’ needs, ranging from sophisticated corporate transactions to complex commercial litigation.

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