Scott Mascianica, a former Assistant Regional Director for Enforcement in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Fort Worth Regional Office, has joined Holland & Knight as a partner in its Dallas office. Mr. Mascianica, who will practice in the firm’s Litigation Section, has extensive experience supervising, investigating and litigating some of the highest profile and first-of-their-kind SEC enforcement matters in the country.
At the SEC, Mr. Mascianica supervised or personally handled more than 100 investigations, obtaining judgments totaling more than a quarter billion dollars. At the agency, he developed extensive experience in matters involving accounting, disclosure and controls obligations for issuers, digital assets and cybersecurity, and special purpose acquisition companies. Additionally, Mr. Mascianica served as an Assistant Director in the SEC’s Asset Management Unit, a national unit that focuses on investigations and enforcement involving investment advisers and investment companies.
Prior to joining the SEC in 2012, Mr. Mascianica worked in private practice with two other AmLaw 100 firms. While in private practice, he handled government investigations, internal investigations and compliance, and white collar criminal defense, with a focus on matters involving the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Before attending law school, he served as a forensic litigation consultant for KPMG, where he provided corporations with independent dispute advisory analysis and forensic accounting services.
“Government investigations are almost always high stakes. For individuals or companies in the heat of the government’s spotlight, we are indeed fortunate to be able to offer so seasoned, respected and trusted an adviser as Scott,” said Christopher Kelly, leader of Holland & Knight’s Litigation Section. “Scott’s long SEC experience allows him to spot risks and opportunities on the horizon and anticipate how the government will think and act.”
“Together with his deep understanding of the SEC’s people, practices and priorities, as well as his background in accounting, internal investigations and government enforcement, Scott can provide insightful counsel that is creative, novel, efficient and, most importantly, effective,” Mr. Kelly continued. “We are thrilled that he chose to join our firm’s diverse group of former officials from the SEC and the U.S. Department of Justice across the country.”
Mr. Mascianica will work in Dallas alongside Holland & Knight Partner Jessica Magee, a former Associate Director of Enforcement in the SEC’s Fort Worth Regional Office.
“Scott adds another dimension to the firm’s formidable and deep bench of litigators nationwide, and we now feature two former SEC enforcement supervisors in the region to assist clients,” said Brad Hancock, co-leader of Holland & Knight’s Texas Litigation Practice Group. “Coming on the heels of our merger with Thompson & Knight in August, this is another exciting move for Holland & Knight’s Texas practice and our firm. Scott is a great cultural fit as well as a dynamic and affable lawyer.”
“Holland & Knight’s stellar team of securities enforcement and white collar lawyers has successfully defended investigations and enforcement actions dealing with virtually every ‘hot button’ SEC enforcement issue,” Mr. Mascianica said. “I am confident that my combination of SEC, private practice and industry experience will be a great asset to Holland & Knight’s clients, particularly in the midst of an evolving regulatory landscape. I could not be more excited to start collaborating with this exceptional group of lawyers.”
Mr. Mascianica received a J.D. degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law and a B.B.A degree from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.
