inSecurities Podcast Episode 131: With Kurt absent this week, Chris discusses current developments at the SEC with Sandra Hanna, who leads the securities enforcement practice at Steptoe. They discuss the short-term impacts of Jarkesy, how 102(e) actions are evolving in real time, the state of ESG enforcement after the disbanding of the Task Force, and what the SEC might look like in 2025.
inSecurities is a biweekly podcast featuring in-depth conversations with senior regulators, top practitioners, and leading academics, along with "deep dives" on hot topics in the securities regulatory and enforcement world. In an increasingly complex business and regulatory environment, inSecurities co-hosts Chris Ekimoff, a forensic accountant with RSM, and Kurt Wolfe, a securities enforcement attorney at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, keep you current on key developments.
Featured In This Episode
Sandra Hanna
Sandra Hanna leads the firm's SEC Enforcement practice, based in Washington, D.C. and New York. She represents public companies, regulated entities, audit firms, and senior executives in regulatory enforcement matters before the SEC, DOJ, PCAOB, FINRA, and other domestic and international law enforcement agencies. Sandra also has significant experience leading SEC- and DOJ-appointed Independent Corporate Monitor teams in both securities and FCPA matters.
Sandra is recognized as a nationwide leader in securities enforcement matters. She has been continuously ranked by Chambers USA for Securities Enforcement since 2014. Chambers USA notes she is described as "a terrific, incredibly smart, and experienced SEC lawyer" and "an expert in her field: thoughtful, tenacious, and dedicated to client service." Best Lawyers in America named Sandra as a "Lawyer of the Year" for securities enforcement matters in 2022 and 2024 and has continuously recommended her as a leading enforcement attorney since 2016. Securities Docket also named her to its "Enforcement 40" list of "the best and brightest securities defense lawyers." Sandra serves on the Law360 Securities Editorial Advisory Board and previously served as the Co-Chair of the D.C. Bar subcommittee on Securities Enforcement. She is a regular speaker at industry conferences and is routinely quoted in the press on enforcement matters.
Prior to joining Steptoe, Sandra spent nine years at a premier Chambers-ranked SEC enforcement boutique law firm, which she co-founded. During law school, she worked in the Summer Honors Program in the SEC's Division of Enforcement. Prior to attending law school and business school, she managed the professional careers of several Grammy Award-winning musicians.
Sandra grew up in New York City and attended the United Nations International School. She remains active in several charitable organizations and devotes significant time to pro bono activities and diversity-related commitments.