Overview

Nader is an outstanding lawyer… (and) a go-to for sensitive internal investigations.” - Chambers USA, 2022

Nader Salehi is a partner in the Government, Regulatory and Internal Investigations Practice Group of Kirkland & Ellis LLP and is resident in the Firm’s Washington, D.C., and New York offices. He is a leading, nationally recognized investigations and securities enforcement defense lawyer.

Described by clients as “a phenomenal lawyer,” a “go-to for sensitive internal investigations,” and “an insightful counsel in difficult situations,” Nader has for more than 25 years represented clients in high-stakes investigations of enterprise-wide significance. His enforcement practice often involves the defense of financial fraud, false statement and insider trading claims in investigations prompted by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), FINRA, alleged “whistleblowers,” and the Department of Justice (DOJ). Nader’s clients have included leading public companies and their boards of directors, some of the most significant public and private investment fund managers, and nearly all of the major banks on Wall Street.

Nader’s high-profile work has earned him the title of “Best Lawyer in Securities Law” for 12 straight years and he is regularly invited to speak at major industry events such as the annual SIFMA C&L Conference and PLI’s annual Broker Dealer Regulation and Enforcement Conference. Nader began his career as a Staff Attorney in the SEC’s Enforcement Division in Washington, D.C.

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Thought Leadership

Publications

“Capital Markets, Professional Perspective – How Will the Jarkesy Decision Affect the SEC?” Bloomberg Law, May 2024

“Winning Methods for Resolving Cross-Border Securities Investigations,” The Guide to International Enforcement of the Securities Laws – Third Edition, Global Investigations Review, November 2023

“SEC Enforcement Record Stems From More Penalties, Not More Cases,” Bloomberg Law, January 2023

“USA: Law & Practice,” Chambers Global Practice Guide: White-Collar Crime, October 2022

“Should Whistleblowers Get Paid? It Depends on What for,” Financial News, November 2020

“Framing The Legacy Of The SEC Under Clayton,” Law360, September 2020

“2020 Hindsight: Regulatory Responses to Recent Market Volatility,” Westlaw Journal, July 2020

“Risks of Insider Trading will Return to Haunt Investors,” Daily Telegraph, May 2020

“Chapter 10: The Planning Process,” Successful Partnering Between Inside and Outside Counsel, Vol. 1, 2011–2020

“Chapter 61: Litigation Management by Corporations,” Commercial Litigation in New York State Courts, Third Edition, Vol. 4A, 2010–2020

“Regulatory Scrutiny of Manufactured Credit Events,” Bloomberg Law, December 2019

“Trading by Corporate Directors and Their Affiliated Investment Funds,” U.S. News – Best Lawyers, November 2013

“Risks and Rewards of Directorships at Portfolio Companies,” Corporate Secretary, September 2013 

“How FINRA Encroaches on Attorney Work Product,” Law360, December 2011

“Analyzing the SEC’s First Deferred Prosecution Agreement,” New York Law Journal, July 2011

“An Analysis of the SEC’s New Cooperation Policies,” New York Law Journal, April 2010

“Commission Alleges Violation of SOX 304,” Securities Docket, August 2009

“§304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act: New Tool for Disgorgement,” New York Law Journal, May 2008

“What to Expect from SEC Exams,” Law360, January 2008

Speaking Engagements

Panelist, “Internal Investigations,” PLI Institute on Securities Regulation, November 2024

Panelist, “The Day After: The Impact of the Election on SEC Enforcement,” Securities Enforcement Forum, November 2024

Panelist, “Whistleblower Update – The Impact on Corporations and SEC Enforcement,” Securities Enforcement Forum, October 2023

Panelist, “Handling a Regulatory Investigation: In-House and Outside Counsel Perspectives,” SIFMA C&L Annual Seminar, March 2023

Moderator, “CCO Liability and the Changing Role of Compliance,” SIFMA C&L Virtual Forum, September 2022

Panelist, “Whistleblower Update – The Impact on Corporations and SEC Enforcement,” Securities Enforcement Forum, September 2022

Panelist, “Broker/Dealer Exams and Enforcement; Compliance and Recordkeeping Obligations,” PLI Fundamentals of Broker-Dealer Regulation, July 2022

Panelist, “Handling a Regulatory Investigation: In-House and Outside Counsel Perspectives,” SIFMA C&L Annual Seminar, March 2022 

Panelist, “Protest and Sports: How Athletes Are Using Their Platforms to Promote Change,” Joint Sidley and Bank of America Diversity and Inclusion Program, November 2020

Moderator, “Ask FINRA: A Panel of Senior FINRA Officials Respond to Your Questions,” SIFMA Webinar Series, May 2020

Moderator, “Broker/Dealer: State Enforcement Initiatives, Developments and Priorities,” PLI Broker/Dealer Regulation and Enforcement, October 2019

Panelist, “Private Client Enforcement Developments,” SIFMA C&L Annual Seminar, March 2019

Panelist, “Broker Dealer Regulation and Enforcement,” Practising Law Institute, October 2018

Panelist, “Private Client Enforcement Developments,” SIFMA C&L Annual Seminar, March 2018

Panelist, “Identifying and Managing Conflicts of Interest,” SIFMA C&L Annual Seminar, March 2016

Panelist, “Conflicts Management: Retail and Institutional Issues,” SIFMA C&L Annual Seminar, March 2015

Panelist, “The Evolving Role of Legal and Compliance,” SIFMA C&L Annual Seminar, March 2012

Panelist, “U.S. Broker-Dealer Roundtable,” SIFMA C&L Annual Seminar, March 2011

Reviewing Enforcement Actions of the SEC, “States and SROs Concerning Broker/Dealers and Investment Banks,” The 4th IQPC Securities Litigation Conference, May 2008

“Best Practices and Approaches to Internal Investigations,” The 3rd IQPC Securities Litigation Conference, November 2007

Recognition

Enforcement Elite, Securities Docket, 2024

Best Lawyer in Securities Law, Best Lawyers®, 2012–2024

Securities: Regulation: Enforcement, Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, 2012–2024

Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense, 2022–2024; Financial Services Litigation, 2024, The Legal 500 U.S.

Rising Star, Euromoney LMG, 2015

Memberships & Affiliations

Member, The Association of SEC Alumni

Member, SEC Historical Society

Member, The American Bar Association

Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • District of Columbia
  • New York

Languages

  • French
  • Persian

Education

  • University of Richmond School of LawJ.D.1995
  • University of RichmondM.B.A.1995
  • University of VirginiaB.A.1992