Jackie Wells counsels broker-dealers, investment advisers, and other financial institutions on compliance with federal securities laws and the rules of self-regulatory organizations (SROs). She represents clients in examinations, investigations, and enforcement matters involving the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and other federal and state regulators.
Prior to joining McGuireWoods, Jackie served for over seven years in FINRA’s Enforcement Department, most recently as a Director. At FINRA, she was responsible for investigating matters involving market regulation and sales practice issues. She handled complex matters involving anti-money laundering programs, best execution, the Market Access Rule, Regulation SHO, and Regulation Best Interest/suitability, among other areas. Jackie brought enforcement matters on behalf of FINRA and other SROs, including the New York Stock Exchange, Cboe, and Nasdaq.
Prior to her tenure at FINRA, Jackie was an associate with an international law firm where she focused on securities enforcement, securities litigation, and other complex commercial litigation.
- Represented broker-dealers in SEC and FINRA/exchange investigations into trade surveillance for suspicious trading, AML program compliance, and related supervision
- Represented a broker-dealer in a FINRA investigation involving Regulation SHO
- Represented multiple broker-dealers in informal inquiries and FINRA Enforcement matters involving Consolidated Audit Trail reporting
- Counseled broker-dealers in compliance with various SEC and SRO rules involving books and records, advertising, supervision, and Regulation SHO, among other areas
- Represented a large market maker in a FINRA matter involving market access
- Represented a broker-dealer in connection with a FINRA investigation relating to the sale of Unit Investment Trusts*
- Represented a retail broker-dealer and registered representatives in connection with a FINRA investigation relating to the sale of variable annuities*
- Represented a major financial institution in connection with FINRA, SEC, and NYAG investigations into the structuring, marketing, and sale of mortgage-backed securities*
- Represented a retail broker-dealer and related individuals in putative class actions alleging federal securities law and purported state law claims relating to order routing and execution*
*Experience handled prior to joining McGuireWoods.
Events
- Speaker, "Defining Complex Products: Meeting Regulatory Expectations and Client Demands in Dynamic Markets," 2025 SIFMA Compliance and Legal Society Annual Seminar, March 23 - 26, 2025
Insights
- Author, FINRA’s 2026 Annual Regulatory Oversight Report: Same Priorities, New Focus on AI and Cybersecurity, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, December 11, 2025
- Author, FinCEN Hits Pause: AML Rule for Investment Advisers Delayed, Subject to Inquiry, July 31, 2025
- Author, SEC Settles Charges for Alleged Misleading Disclosures, Shedding Light on Materiality in Cyber Context, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, October 29, 2024
- Author, SEC Speaks 2024: In Defense of Enforcement’s Aggressive Agenda, Subject to Inquiry, April 11, 2024