Morgan Lewis

John V. Ayanian

Partner

John V. Ayanian advises clients on broker-dealer and securities markets regulation. He counsels US and foreign financial institutions and markets on all aspects of their US securities trading, markets, and clearing activities. These include issues arising under US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) rules. He also counsels broker-dealers on regulatory and transactional matters. Additionally, John advises market centers on issues involving market structure issues in the equity and options markets.

Extended Profile

Representing broker-dealers, John counsels clients on US federal and state registration and compliance issues; self-regulatory organization (SRO) membership and compliance issues; and mergers and acquisitions involving broker-dealers. He also guides these clients through issues involving the trading of fixed-income securities, exchange-traded options, and exchange-traded funds; broker-dealer and investment adviser networking and compensation arrangements; and issues relating to the dissemination of securities analyst research reports.

In his work with financial institutions, John advises on SEC and FINRA rules. These include sales practice, advertising, net capital and customer protection, market structure, and the publication of securities analyst research reports, as well as issues involving the use of money market and bank deposit sweep programs.

John serves as co-chair of Morgan Lewis's Financial Services Industry Initiative and the Washington office practice group leader for the firm's investment management practice. Before joining Morgan Lewis, he was a vice president and assistant general counsel with First Union Corporation, where he worked with its broker-dealer subsidiaries. He also served as a staff attorney and Special Counsel in the SEC’s Division of Market Regulation, Office of Market Supervision, where he was responsible for the regulation of trading and markets.

John is listed in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business (2009–2017), and received the SEC Capital Markets Award.

Education

  • DePaul University College of Law, 1993, J.D.
  • University of Michigan, 1990, B.A.

Admissions

  • District of Columbia

Awards and Affiliations

Member, Practice Group of the Year, Asset Management, Law360 (2017)

Ranked, Financial Services Regulation: Broker Dealer (Compliance), Nationwide, Chambers USA (2009–2018)

Executive Editor, DePaul Business Law Journal

SEC Capital Markets Award

Publications

12/21/2018 - A Few of Their Favorite Things

5/12/2017 - Shaping FINRA's Desk Commentary Safe Harbor, Law360

October 2015 - SEC Approves Rule to Regulate Debt Research Reports and Debt Research Analysts

7/22/2015 - SEC Approves Long-Anticipated FINRA Research Rules

2/24/2015 - FINRA Issues Guidance on Materiality Consultations

2/12/2015 - SEC and FINRA Publish Materials Addressing Cybersecurity

2/5/2015 - MSRB’s Best Execution Rule: How CCOs Can Prepare, Compliance Reporter

2/1/2015 - OCC’s Updated Guidance on Retail Nondeposit Investment Products

6/10/2014 - Challenges in Requiring High-Frequency Traders to Register as Dealers

4/29/2014 - The ETF Authorized Participant Agreement: Key Issues and Negotiating Points

4/10/2014 - Impact of the Volcker Rule on ETFs and Authorized Participants Roundtable

3/20/2014 - SEC Proposes Enhanced Regulatory Framework for Certain Registered Clearing Agencies

3/12/2014 - SEC Issues FAQs on Financial Responsibility Rules

2/28/2014 - SEC Issues Relief from Certain Financial Responsibility Rule Requirements

2/6/2014 - FINRA and SEC to Focus on IRA Rollover Practices in 2014

2/5/2014 - SEC Provides No-Action Relief for M&A Brokers

11/7/2013 - Virtual Asset Management Roundtable Series: Current Issues for Dual Registrants

10/18/2013 - Temporary Exemption from Certain SEC Financial Responsibility Rules Amendments

8/27/2013 - SEC Amends Financial Responsibility Rules for Broker-Dealers

7/18/2013 - SEC Provides Relief for Familiarization Activities of Foreign Options Markets

3/22/2012 - Outsourcing in the Financial Services Industry

5/6/2010 - Bank Regulatory Examinations, presented at the SIFMA Compliance & Legal Society 2010 Annual Seminar, Washington, D.C.

1/27/2010 - SEC Proposes Amendments to Issuer Repurchase Rule (Rule 10b-18)

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News

9/22/2015 - Morgan Lewis Advises Portware, LLC in $265M Acquisition by FactSet Research Systems Inc.

4/5/2013 - Morgan Lewis Advises MetLife on Sale of Tower Square Securities and Walnut Securities to Cetera

2/4/2013 - Morgan Lewis Advises Investment Bank Dahlman Rose & Company in Sale to Cowen Group

4/27/2012 - Morgan Lewis Advises Wells Fargo on Purchase of Merlin Securities

Events

3/24/2019 - 2019 SIFMA Compliance & Legal Annual Seminar

3/18/2018 - 2018 SIFMA Compliance & Legal Annual Seminar

4/11/2013 - First Clearing Compliance Roundtable

Chief Compliance Officer Roundtable

National Organization of Investment Professionals' Spring Conference 2010

SIFMA CL 2010 Annual Seminar