Washington, DC—Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham LLP (K&LNG) of counsel Paul Gonson was presented with the Association of Securities and Exchange Commission Alumni, Inc.’s (ASECA) prestigious William O. Douglas Award for his extraordinary contributions to developing federal securities laws and his distinguished financial industry and SEC service.
Gonson is the second K&LNG lawyer to receive the Douglas award; in 2001, K&LNG partner Richard Phillips was also a recipient. Phillips made the introductory remarks for Gonson at the March 3 ceremony.
From 1979 to1998, Gonson served as the Solicitor of the SEC. He supervised the Commission’s appellate, amicus curiae, defense, contracting and personnel litigation in all courts and agencies. As the SEC’s Chief Appellate lawyer, Gonson supervised hundreds of litigation matters and personally argued more than one hundred appellate cases, including cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and in every U. S. Court of Appeals. Gonson has been with K&LNG for over seven years.
Gonson has been a member of U.S. Government and other delegations of senior government and private sector attorneys to foreign countries. In the fall of 1997, he was one of five international experts from the United States, Japan, and Hong Kong who traveled to China to advise high ranking officials on the drafting of a national securities law for China. He has made similar trips to countries in Eastern and Central Europe, Africa and Asia. Last year, he traveled to India and to Vietnam to assist in the development of the securities markets in those countries.
Gonson has taught law as an adjunct professor at Georgetown Law School in Washington, DC and is the author of over 30 articles on securities law.
Michael J. Missal, a partner in K&LNG’s securities enforcement practice, said: “Paul’s contributions to the financial service industry and the Securities and Exchange Commission are considerable and will have a lasting impact. We are pleased that these contributions are being lauded with a recognition as highly regarded as the Douglas Award, and are proud to work alongside an individual whose accomplishments have made such a meaningful difference.”
The Association of Securities and Exchange Commission Alumni, Inc. (ASECA) is a non-profit charitable organization founded in 1990 by U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission alumni. ASECA was initially formed to continue the camaraderie that existed amongst ASECA members when they worked together at the SEC. Today its membership is nationwide. ASECA’s stated mission is to provide the opportunity for education and growth of industry professionals; to promote study and research in the field of securities law; and educate members on securities law by means of lectures, seminars and publications. Gatherings also provide a forum for exchanging information and the sharing of ideas regarding the administration of securities law and reform.
Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham (K&LNG) has approximately 1000 lawyers and represents entrepreneurs, growth and middle market companies, capital markets participants, and leading FORTUNE 100 and FTSE 100 global corporations nationally and internationally.
K&LNG is a combination of two limited liability partnerships, each named Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham LLP, one qualified in Delaware, U.S.A. and practicing from offices in Boston, Dallas, Harrisburg, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York, Palo Alto, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Washington and one incorporated in England practicing from the London office.
