Former CFTC Enforcement Chief Aitan Goelman Returns to Zuckerman Spaeder
Zuckerman Spaeder LLP announced today that Aitan Goelman is returning to the firm as partner after serving as the Director of the Division of Enforcement at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Mr. Goelman previously spent 11 years as a partner with Zuckerman Spaeder and nine years as a federal prosecutor, including as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York.
Described by The New York Times as “One of the Obama Administration’s…Wall Street Enforcers,” Mr. Goelman led groundbreaking cases using new authorities provided by the Dodd-Frank Act. While Mr. Goelman was Director, the Enforcement Division set records for the highest monetary sanctions imposed and collected in a single matter, highest total sanctions imposed and collected during one year, and the largest whistleblower award granted.
“Aitan’s historic success in one of the nation’s top financial enforcement positions came as no surprise to those who know him best,” said Zuckerman Spaeder Chairman Dwight Bostwick. “He’s not only smart, driven, tenacious, and a highly respected leader; he’s also a great person. These qualities, along with being an accomplished trial and white collar defense attorney, a federal prosecutor, and a Director of Enforcement, make Aitan a tremendous asset for any client involved in high-stakes investigations and litigation.”
Mr. Goelman commented, “As I looked at some great firms, it became clear to me how unique Zuckerman Spaeder is. It has the perfect combination of complex cases, a strong reputation in financial litigation, and a culture of trying cases and winning. Moreover, the lawyers at Zuckerman are simply great attorneys and great people. My practice will involve hard-fought and challenging cases, but I’ll have the support of a tremendously smart, driven, and collegial group of attorneys.”
Former Assistant Attorney General Leslie Caldwell said, “Aitan is a remarkably skilled attorney and a strategic thinker who brought CFTC’s enforcement division to a new level. He brings a strong intellect and boundless energy to everything he does."
Mr. Goelman’s return comes just months after Bill Schultz rejoined the firm following more than five years as General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Bostwick continued, “The paths taken by Aitan and Bill say a lot about who they are and what our firm has valued for over forty years. Their legal skill, judgment, and dedication allowed them to serve our country with distinction at the highest levels. On leaving, both had a range of attractive opportunities, but were drawn back to their friends and former colleagues to do meaningful work for important clients. These two highly respected attorneys are a great fit with the unique Zuckerman Spaeder approach of tackling high-profile, high-stakes cases with small teams of highly skilled lawyers.”
At Zuckerman Spaeder, Mr. Goelman will lead the firm’s Securities & Commodities Litigation Practice. His work will focus on the securities, commodities and derivatives industries, internal investigations, and defense of cross-jurisdictional regulatory and criminal matters, as well as complex commercial litigation.