John F. Hartigan counsels clients on a range of matters, including securities law issues, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), private equity deals, corporate finance, US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and other regulatory enforcement, and broker-dealer, investment adviser, and insurance issues. He also advises corporations and their boards of directors on governance, sensitive internal investigations, and complex business transactions. Prior to joining Morgan Lewis, John served as assistant director of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement.
John publishes and lectures frequently on topics relating to securities law; M&A; corporate governance; corporate finance; financial institutions; broker-dealer, investment adviser, and insurance matters; and SEC and other regulatory enforcement investigations and proceedings.
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Corporate Law, Los Angeles; Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Los Angeles; Securities/Capital Markets Law, Los Angeles; Securities Regulation, Los Angeles (1993–2020, 2022–2025)
Ranked, Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business (2004–2015)
Recommended, Mergers and Acquisitions, The Legal 500 US (2014)
Recognized, Southern California Super Lawyers (2004–2010)
Recommended, Corporate M&A, PLC Which Lawyer? Yearbook 2008
Vice Chair, State Bar of California, Executive Committee of the Business Law Section
Former Chair, State Bar of California, Education Committee of the Business Section
Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association, Business and Corporations Section Executive Committee
Chair, Los Angeles County Bar Association, Broker-Dealer Committee
Chair, Annual Securities Regulation Seminars, Co-Sponsored by Securities and Exchange Commission
General Counsel of BISA (Banks in Insurance and Securities Association)
President, Association of Securities and Exchange Commission Alumni
Case and Notes Editor, The Tax Lawyer
Former Member, The Tax Lawyer Executive Board