Profile

Keri Curtis Axel

Partner,
Waymaker LLP

My Contact Information

Waymaker LLP
Los Angeles, CA
Mobile/Office: 213-314-5284

Social Links

Chapter Location

Los Angeles

Bio

A former federal prosecutor and SEC Enforcement Attorney, Keri regularly defends corporations and individuals in regulatory and criminal investigations and in litigation.  She also represents investment advisers and other financial services professionals in FINRA investigations, arbitrations, and in litigation. 

Keri has served as lead counsel in federal criminal trials and in financial services-related matters in court and in arbitration.  She has successfully litigated and argued before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals numerous times.  Her criminal experience includes securities, investment, procurement, and immigration benefit fraud investigations, as well as public corruption and tax fraud and evasion matters.  She has litigated complex civil matters in areas as diverse as patent, antitrust, and international tax.  Keri also has substantial experience in cross-border investigations involving coordinated international law enforcement efforts. 

A graduate of Harvard Law School, Keri managed complex civil cases as an Associate at Howrey & Simon before joining the SEC as a Staff Attorney.  At the Commission, she specialized in complex matters involving accounting fraud and financial reporting.  She then moved to the U.S. Attorney's Office, where she served in the Major Frauds and Immigration Fraud sections.  

At Waymaker LLP, Keri’s practice is on the cutting edge of the legal landscape involving FinTech and digital assets, and she enjoys helping entrepreneurs and leaders navigate that evolving landscape.  Keri also enjoys tax, securities, accounting and financial services matters that draw on her extensive experience in those areas.

Practice Areas

  • Appeals
  • Asset Forfeiture/Restitution
  • Corporate Crime
  • Financial Services
  • Internal Investigations
  • SEC Enforcement
  • State Attorney Generals
  • Trials
  • White Collar Crime