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 process 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.
In his ten years at the SEC, Mr. Schultz 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. Recognition during his tenure included 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, Mr. Schultz 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.
Mr. Schultz received his JD from the University of Notre Dame Law School, summa cum laude, where he was awarded the 2001 Farabaugh Prize for High Scholarship in Law and served as Executive Note Editor of the Notre Dame Law Review. He received his MBA, magna cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame Mendoza School of Business and two BAs, each with honor, from Michigan State University.
Outside of work, Mr. Schultz plays tennis, golf, and has completed eight Ironman races and marathons or ultra-marathons in all 50 states. He also travels with his wife in their Airstream.
Experience
- Nationwide 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 improper drug pricing by subsidiary businesses.
- Private equity firm in portfolio business bankruptcy-related litigation.
Perspectives
Credentials
- JD, summa cum laude, University of Notre Dame Law School, 2001
- MBA, magna cum laude, University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business, 2000
- BA, Political Science, Michigan State University, 1995
- BA, Marketing, with honor, Michigan State University, 1995
- Arizona
- District of Columbia
- Illinois
- Texas
- Supreme Court of the United States
- US Court of Appeals (7th, 9th, DC)
- US Court of Federal Claims
- US District Court (AZ, CO, DC, ND IL, ND IN, SD TX)
- Assistant Chief Litigation Counsel, Division of Enforcement, US Securities and Exchange Commission
- US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, Judge Ann Claire Williams