Christian Schultz, former Assistant Chief Litigation Counsel in the SEC’s Division of Enforcement, deploys his trial skills and deep knowledge of SEC rules and processes to represent public and private companies, financial institutions and accounting firms, and individuals in regulatory investigations, complex financial and securities litigation, SEC and PCAOB enforcement actions, and white collar matters.
During his ten years at the SEC, Christian investigated potential violations of the federal securities laws and represented the SEC in enforcement actions in federal court and administrative proceedings. He partnered with attorneys, accountants, and industry experts in the SEC’s special investigative units — including the Complex Financial Instruments Unit, Market Abuse Unit, and Asset Management Unit — to investigate and litigate potential violations of the securities laws in a broad range of areas, including: accounting and issuer disclosure, auditor independence, market manipulation, broker-dealer and investment adviser regulations, compliance failures, insider trading, failure to supervise, complex financial instruments and structured financial products, cryptocurrency and digital asset regulation, and whistleblowing. During his tenure, he was awarded the Enforcement Director’s Awards and the Chair’s Award for Excellence for his work on the SEC v. Tourre trial.
Prior to joining the SEC, Christian was a partner in another prominent law firm, where he represented Fortune 100 companies in state and federal courts around the country, administrative proceedings, and arbitrations. Before that, he clerked for Judge Ann Claire Williams of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
Christian received his J.D., summa cum laude, from The Law School at the University of Notre Dame, where he was awarded the 2001 Farabaugh Prize for High Scholarship in Law and served as Executive Notes Editor of the Notre Dame Law Review. He received his MBA, magna cum laude, from the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame, and two B.A.s, both with honors, from Michigan State University's Broad College of Business and its College of Social Science.
Outside of work, Christian plays tennis, golf, has completed eight Ironman races, and has run marathons or ultra-marathons in all 50 states (and is working on the seven continents). He also travels with his wife in their Airstream.
Experience
- Investment advisor and portfolio manager in securities fraud lawsuit with the SEC and related prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY).
- Early stage venture capital fund as victim investor in securities fraud investigations by SEC and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California (EDCA) relating to bankrupt portfolio company.
- Stock investing and stock market research company as victim in securities fraud investigations and litigation with the SEC and related prosecution by the SDNY.
- Former crypto CEO in securities fraud investigations by the SEC, EDNY, and NY State Attorney General, and related private party lawsuits.
- International pharmaceutical company seeking advice in pending SEC investigation and trial counsel in potential SEC litigation.
- South American financial services firm related to Rule 10b5-1 plans and proxy advisory firm challenges to prospective board candidates.
- Syndicate desk executive for major international bank in SEC and U.S. Department of Justice investigations relating to block trading.
- Audit partner of a national accounting firm in SEC investigation.
- U.S. investment management and advisory firm seeking regulatory advice relating to international securities offerings.
- Crypto executive seeking advice related to company’s SEC investigation.
- National insurance company in hundreds of federal and state court lawsuits in Mississippi and Texas relating to hurricane-disaster coverage.*
- International pharmaceutical company in lawsuits brought by state attorneys general relating to allegations of drug pricing fraud.*
- Private equity firm in portfolio business bankruptcy-related litigation.*
*Matter completed prior to joining Arnold & Porter.
Perspectives
Credentials
- J.D., University of Notre Dame Law School, 2001, summa cum laude
- MBA, University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business, 2000, magna cum laude
- B.A., Political Science, Michigan State University, 1995, with honors
- B.A., Marketing, Michigan State University, 1995, with honors
- Arizona
- District of Columbia
- Illinois
- Texas
- Supreme Court of the United States
- U.S. Court of Appeals (7th, 9th, DC)
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
- U.S. District Court (AZ, CO, DC, ND IL, ND IN, SD TX)
- Assistant Chief Litigation Counsel, Division of Enforcement, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, Judge Ann Claire Williams