Attorney John Franklin Guild has joined Bell Nunnally as a partner in its litigation practice. Guild comes to the firm from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), where he was senior counsel in its Department of Enforcement, based in Dallas for the past seven-and-a-half years.
“John’s experience at FINRA, coming after many years as an active litigator in private practice, gives our clients a unique perspective on one of the financial industry’s most important regulatory bodies,” said Christopher B. Trowbridge, managing partner of Bell Nunnally. “Our litigation team has enjoyed a very active year, helping our clients thrive. John further strengthens our bench and is additional validation of our positioning in the marketplace and long-term recruiting strategy.”
While at FINRA, Guild led investigations and prosecuted formal disciplinary actions for a variety of violations of the securities laws, and SEC and Rules, including misrepresentations in the sale of securities, failures to develop and maintain reasonable anti-money laundering programs, data privacy issues and records retention issues arising from off-channel communications. He joined FINRA after more than 14 years in private practice litigating complex business disputes and appeals. Guild also clerked for the Honorable Catharina Haynes of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
“I’m pleased to join Bell Nunnally for this next stage of my career,” said Guild. “The firm’s litigation reputation – including in the financial services industry – is sterling and its attorneys are known entities, greatly respected by all. I’m also excited about the Bell Nunnally’s focus on helping entrepreneurs and companies thrive in a tough regulatory and competitive business environment.”
Guild is a graduate of Duke University School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 2003) and Oklahoma City University (B.S., magna cum laude, 2000).
Guild is the third partner to join Bell Nunnally in the second half of 2024, following M&A attorney Jonathan Farrokhnia in September and real estate attorney Spencer C. Diebel in June.