WASHINGTON, DC, January 3, 2022: Erin Martin, who has been with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for more than 13 years, today joins Morgan Lewis as a partner resident in Washington, DC. Most recently serving as legal branch chief in the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance, Erin will advise on public company disclosure and advisory matters, including with respect to special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) transactions.
“Erin joins our strong bench of former government officials and will provide valuable insight into the federal regulatory process and priorities,” said Firm Chair Jami McKeon. “As more novel transactions, such as SPAC IPOs and those around digital asset securities offerings, continue to catch the attention of public companies, her unique experience will be incredibly beneficial to our clients as they evaluate new opportunities.”
During her tenure at the SEC, Erin also served as the legal branch chief in the Office of Real Estate and Commodities, special counsel in the Office of Financial Services, and attorney-advisor in the Office of Chief Counsel. She led legal reviews of transactional filings and periodic reports filed pursuant to the Securities Act and Exchange Act, including IPOs, secondary offerings, spin-offs, mergers and acquisitions, tender offers, annual and quarterly filings, proxy materials, and sales literature. She also managed the division’s review program for offerings of digital asset securities. Additionally, Erin provided legal guidance to both the public and SEC staff on many aspects of federal securities laws, including exemptive positions and requests for no-action relief, and served as a co-manager of the Office of Chief Counsel’s Rule 14a-8 Shareholder Proposal Task Force.
“After a year of strong activity and continued interest among clients across industries and geographies to pursue strategic transactions key for their success, having counsel who knows the regulatory landscape inside and out is key,” said Steven Browne, global leader of the firm’s corporate and business transactions practice. “As a veteran SEC staff member with intricate knowledge of complex securities laws, policies, and procedures, Erin is well positioned to counsel clients on these matters.”