The Forum for US Securities Lawyers in London (the “Forum”) is a trade association representing US-qualified lawyers and participants in the London capital markets. Membership is over 1,500 people and includes US-qualified lawyers practicing at law firms and financial institutions in the London capital markets, as well as market participants including securities exchanges, settlement systems and registrars.

The Forum is an independent, self-funded organization dedicated to addressing issues of the application of and compliance with US securities laws in London and international capital markets.

The Forum was founded in 2006 by Daniel Winterfeldt MBE KC (Hon), General Counsel EMEA & Asia, Jefferies.

Forum Leadership Committee

Connie Milonakis, Partner, Davis Polk & Wardwell

Miriam Patterson, Senior Director – Market Practice & Regulatory Policy, International Capital Market Association (Forum Co-chair)

Laura Sizemore, Partner and Head of EMEA Capital Markets, White & Case LLP

Deborah Smith, Executive Director and Senior Counsel, Legal Department, Goldman Sachs International

Daniel Winterfeldt MBE KC (Hon), General Counsel EMEA & Asia, Jefferies (Forum Co-chair)

The Forum meets annually in Washington D.C. with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), has submitted numerous comment letters to the SEC on proposals affecting the London and international capital markets, distributes regular US Securities Updates, Digests and other informational emails, holds events and seminars, publishes podcasts and webinars, and has published its International Capital Markets Glossary.

Since its inception the Forum has taken a leading role in creating guidance for and shaping market practice of Regulation S, Category 3 securities of US companies listed or admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange.  In 2015 the Forum took a leading role in supporting the London Stock Exchange and Euroclear UK & Ireland (CREST) in designing and implementing the system to allow for the electronic trading and settlement of Regulation S, Category 3 securities of US issuers trading on the London Stock Exchange. This innovation makes it easier for US companies to IPO on the London Stock Exchange.

The Forum was short-listed by the British Legal Awards in 2009 for “Law Firm Innovation”.

The Forum was  ‘Highly Commended”  by the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards in 2016 in the category “Innovation in Navigating Regulation”.