Jonathan H. Hecht

Jonathan Hecht is a partner in Goodwin’s Complex Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice. He counsels clients on investigations by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), compliance with the federal securities laws and regulations, and securities-related private civil actions. He also represents individuals and entities involved in other government investigations related to financial products and markets. Additionally, Jonathan advises public companies and other entities on internal investigations and represents witnesses in such investigations.

Jonathan’s representative experience includes advising:

• Advising a large financial institution in connection with ongoing SEC investigation
• Representing large public companies and private entities in connection with SEC investigations involving a host of issues, including financial accounting, disclosures, insider trading, and cybersecurity
• Representing individuals associated with public companies and registrants in SEC and DOJ investigations
• Conducted an internal review on behalf of management of a public company related to ethics and compliance matters
• Conducted an internal investigation on behalf of a Special Committee of the Board of Directors of a public company related to corporate governance issues
• Provide advice and counseling to numerous entities, including public companies and SEC registrants related to corporate governance and/or securities law compliance issues
• Big Four audit firms in SEC investigations*
• Audit committees of public companies in internal investigations*
• A public company in a Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission investigation*
• A financial institution in a CFTC inquiry regarding algorithmic trading*
• A registered investment adviser and associated persons in an SEC investigation*
• A Special Committee of the Council of the District of Columbia in connection with investigation of a $50 million fraud at the District’s Office of Tax and Revenue*

*Denotes experience prior to joining Goodwin

Prior to joining Goodwin, Jonathan spent more than a decade as an attorney in the SEC's Division of Enforcement. From 2018 to 2022, Jonathan was assistant chief counsel in the SEC Enforcement Division’s Office of Chief Counsel. In this role, he provided guidance and counsel to senior Division leadership, managers, and staff on novel questions of law, investigative practice, and SEC policy. He also advised on investigation, settlement, and litigation strategies and helped craft and present recommendations to the Commission.

From August 2021 to March 2022, Jonathan served as the Enforcement Division’s acting co-chief counsel, a key legal and policy advisor to the Enforcement Division’s Director and Deputy Director and the Division more generally. In this role, he oversaw all aspects and functions of the Office of Chief Counsel, and was responsible for making key assessments and providing guidance to new senior leadership of the Division on critical legal and policy determinations at issue high-priority investigations and litigations.

Prior to his tenure at the SEC, Jonathan was an associate and then counsel in the Securities Enforcement group at WilmerHale and an associate in the Litigation group at Shearman & Sterling. In private practice, he developed significant experience dealing with investigations by various government authorities, including the SEC, CFTC, FINRA, DOJ, and congressional committees.

Jonathan was named a Recommended Lawyer by the Legal 500 US in 2024 for his work in Corporate Governance. Jonathan was previously recognized by the Legal 500 US for his work in Corporate Governance and Securities litigation: defense in 2023.

Jonathan was a recipient of the John H. Pickering Award for Exemplary Commitment to Pro Bono Legal Services. He also received the SEC Division of Enforcement Director’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Enforcement of the Federal Securities Laws.

• Moderator and Speaker, “Crypto-Related SEC Enforcement,” Catholic Law School, September 2023
• Co-Author, “Beyond Penalties and Disgorgement—What to Expect From the SEC in 2023,” New York Law Journal, February 14, 2023
• Speaker, “SEC Speaks,” PLI Conference, 2021