APRIL 1, 2025 – Michael R. Butowsky, an attorney with decades of experience helping investment advisers and other clients navigate the U.S. federal securities laws, has joined the nationally recognized financial services team at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP in New York.
U.S. and international clients seek Butowsky's counsel on a wide range of financial services industry issues, including investment adviser registrations and regulation, private investment fund formation, and SEC examinations. He has significant experience with investment adviser products such as private equity, real estate, and hedge funds, wrap-fee programs, and SMAs, and has played a key role in structuring new products, including crypto and fund placement platforms. He also provides guidance on affiliated transactions, broker-dealer arrangements, and acquisitions and dispositions within the financial services sector.
Butowsky has been in private practice since 1986 and spent the last 14 years at Jones Day as a partner and, most recently, Of Counsel. He's been named a Thomson Reuters Stand-Out Lawyer each of the past three years.
"Michael's extensive experience with investment advisers and private fund formation and operation will significantly broaden the scope of services we provide to our clients," said Andrew Melnick, New York-based co-chair of DWT's financial services team. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and an enthusiasm for mentorship. I look forward to his helping expand our portfolio of work and developing a pipeline of future work by fostering the next generation of outstanding attorneys."
"Our strategic plan calls for building out full-service, national industry teams in our areas of existing strength and Michael advances those goals handily for our financial services group," said Andrew Lorentz, practice co-chair in Washington, D.C. "He will be of tremendous benefit to our business and tax team as well, which will directly gain from his deep expertise with fund formation, securities offerings, and M&A."
"Our New York office is positioned for expansion ahead, with financial services one of our key areas of focus," said Sharon Schneier, New York partner-in-charge for DWT. "I'm delighted to have Michael join our team and welcome his contributions to our growth."
"DWT has built a leading financial services practice through its diversity of product offerings, deep industry experience, and an absolute commitment to the client experience," said Butowsky. "This is a team of builders and I'm very excited to launch a new chapter in my career on this platform."
Butowsky received his B.A. and J.D. at Boston University. He began his legal career at a U.S. government agency and has since worked at several leading, private firms. He is the organizer and moderator of a longstanding, monthly, legal and regulatory asset management-focused discussion roundtable comprising compliance officers and lawyers from investment advisers and major financial institutions.
About Davis Wright Tremaine
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is an AmLaw 100 law firm with more than 600 lawyers representing clients based throughout the United States and around the world. The firm's financial services team is ranked by Chambers USA as a national leader in securities, banking, and fintech. Learn more at www.dwt.com.