Cadwalader is the "go-to choice for some of the most challenging projects" and "advises banks, thrifts and holding companies on all matters relating to Dodd-Frank compliance." - Chambers USA

Cadwalader attorneys are actively involved in responding to the legal, regulatory and compliance requirements created as a result of the financial reforms under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act as well as the parallel European regulatory initiatives, including MiFID, MiFIR, EMIR and AIFMD. Once fully implemented by the required regulations, the Act will significantly alter the U.S. financial regulatory system. In addition to financial institutions that will be directly and materially affected by the Act's accompanying regulations, commercial companies that use regulated financial products will also be affected.

To assist clients in managing the complex requirements imposed by the Act, Cadwalader has brought together a leading group of derivatives, commodities, banking, and broker-dealer lawyers with unparalleled breadth and depth of expertise in both regulatory and transactional matters. With more than 80 attorneys, we have more dedicated and experienced derivatives attorneys than any other law firm in the country.

Our leadership role in advising on Dodd-Frank is evidenced by our current engagement by clients including U.S. and international commercial and investment banks, plan asset managers, investment advisers, money managers and other buy-side investors, hedge funds, registered investment companies, various industry organizations, electronic trading platforms and trade compression companies and public commodity pools, financial products, energy and agricultural trading companies, companies and monoline insurers, and government sponsored enterprises.

Analysis and Implementation: Given Cadwalader's strong relationship as a legal advisor to many of the world's leading users and dealers of derivatives products, we offer clients insight and analysis on identifying, assessing and communicating the reach and impact of the new regulations, developing plans to address and mitigate the impact on our clients, counseling on business structure, including how the new regulations will require modifications to current business models, and developing policies and procedures for compliance. We also provide clients with ongoing advice regarding the potential impact of Dodd-Frank legislation on businesses involving ERISA and governmental plans and assistance in commenting upon proposed implementation rules.

Immediately upon enactment of the Dodd-Frank Act, Cadwalader prepared an Overview Memorandum that provided a brief summary of significant Titles of Dodd-Frank as well as a series of more detailed memoranda, each discussing a different aspect of Dodd-Frank and how it will affect particular industries, types of entities and transactions. We have supplemented this information with more than 45 Dodd-Frank related memoranda in response to legislative and market developments, offered specialized programs and information sessions to our clients with respect to the impact of Dodd-Frank on their respective businesses and industries, and served as a commentator to the press regarding the implications of the act. Our complete library of Dodd-Frank Act memoranda can be found by clicking the News & Resources tab above. In addition, we have developed a very extensive web-based library, known as the "Cabinet," that includes Dodd-Frank Act related materials, including, SEC and CFTC rules and releases and Cadwalader's analyses of the Dodd-Frank Act.

The Volcker Rule: Cadwalader lawyers are also assisting clients around the world with the implications of Section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Act, the "Volcker Rule," which imposes restrictions on banking entities engaged in either proprietary trading or owning or sponsoring certain funds. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission all have proposed regulations to implement the Volcker Rule, further defining provisions and exemptions available to banking entities as well as adding significant reporting and compliance obligations on the banking entities that rely on certain exemptions. In preparation for the implementation of the Volcker Rule, our lawyers assisted clients in conducting impact analyses, developing strategic alternatives necessitated by activities in which they currently engage, implementing quantitative trading measures, and reviewing and revising compensation.

In addition to the memos and analyses prepared by Cadwalader regarding Dodd-Frank, we have also authored numerous pieces specifically on the Volcker Rule.

We believe that our continued strength lies in ensuring that we attract, retain, and nurture the very best talent from all backgrounds, and we expect the future complexion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP will, with each passing year, more closely reflect the global community that we serve. 

Cadwalader has worked diligently to promote an inclusive work environment and, over the years, has developed many initiatives to fit our unique goals and challenges on issues of diversity and inclusion.  With the creation of the Cadwalader Center for Diversity & Inclusion (CCDI), a central resource for the firm’s diversity programs, initiatives and policies, we aim to improve upon our successes and follow through on our promise to weave diversity and inclusion principles into the fabric of our culture. 

The mission of the CCDI is to enhance gender, racial/ethnic, and LGBT diversity and inclusion within the firm to create an unrivalled environment that attracts, retains and promotes the best and brightest talent available to serve our clients. Governed by the Global Diversity Committee, chaired by Patrick T. Quinn, Managing Partner, the CCDI is a vehicle to support the work we currently perform, to reinforce our dedication to that work, to recognize outstanding effort and to communicate - to each other and to the clients we serve - our longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Recent Programs & Events

The Cadwalader Center for Diversity and Inclusion hosts programs and events throughout the year that are designed to increase cultural competence, celebrate history and heritage and educate attorneys on how to work effectively on diverse teams.

From Megan’s Law to Bernie Madoff: A Conversation with Judge Chin

- July 23, 2015

The Cadwalader Asian Pacific American Attorney Resource Group hosted a conversation with the Honorable Denny Chin, United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit.  During the interactive conversation, Judge Chin discussed his experiences as a federal judge and his path to the bench. Attendees had the opportunity to network and speak with Judge Chin during the cocktail reception that followed.

The Fight for Marriage Equality in the Supreme Court

- June 9, 2015

The Cadwalader LGBT Network and the Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) hosted a Pride Month event, The Fight for Marriage Equality in the Supreme Court, featuring Mary Bonauto, GLAD’s Civil Rights Project Director and Janson Wu, GLAD’s Executive Director. During the presentation Mary discussed her experience arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court for marriage equality and Janson discussed the future of the LGBT rights movement.

Justice Denied: Wards Cove Packing Co. v. Atonio

- May 12, 2015

Members of the Asian American Bar Association of New York, including Cadwalader attorneys and the Honorable Denny Chin of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit presented a case reenactment of Wards Cove Packing Co. v. Atonio, a landmark employment discrimination case. The presentation told the story of the Wards Cove workers through narration, reenactment of court proceedings, and historic photographs. To view the performance, click here.

The Partner Track

- May 5, 2015

The Cadwalader Asian Pacific American Attorney Resource Group and the Women’s Leadership Initiative co-hosted a panel discussion with Cadwalader Partners, Ingrid Bagby, Kathy Chin and Athena Eastwood, focusing on their career experiences and paths to partnership. The panel was moderated by Helen Wan, author of The Partner Track, a fictional story about a young Asian-American corporate associate up for partner at her New York law firm.

“From Selma to Ferguson to Today: Why Civil Rights Matter,” featuring Professor Charles Ogletree, Harvard Law School

- April 29, 2015

The Cadwalader Black and Latino Association hosted a conversation with Charles Ogletree, Harvard Law School Jesse Climenko Professor of Law, and Founding and Executive Director of the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice.  The conversation was followed by a cocktail reception where attorneys had the opportunity to network  and speak with Professor Ogletree.

The Art of Building Business Relationships and Executive Presence

- March 25, 2015

The Women’s Leadership Initiative and Diane Darling, Founder of the Darling Institute, hosted a workshop on building business relationships and executive presence.  This interactive presentation explored how professionals at all stages of their career can integrate networking and relationship-building into their everyday lives. 

WLI London Client Event: “Walking the Nile” by Levison Wood

– March 12, 2015

The Women’s Leadership Initiative hosted a special evening at our London office with Levison Wood, explorer, writer, and photographer. Formerly an officer in the British Parachute Regiment, Wood has led pioneering journeys into undiscovered regions, travelling to more than 80 countries. His nine-month walk along the length of the Nile, from source to sea, is chronicled in a recent Channel 4 documentary. During the presentation Wood described the amazing people, breathtaking places and shocking sights he encountered on his ground-breaking expedition.