Foley Adds Partner Jose Sanchez, Strengthening Securities Enforcement and Litigation Capabilities and Expanding California Presence

November 11, 2024 --- Foley & Lardner LLP announced today that Jose Sanchez has joined the firm’s Los Angeles office as a partner in its Securities Enforcement & Litigation Practice Group, adding to Foley’s deep bench of seasoned regulatory, investigations, and trial attorneys. Sanchez comes to Foley after nearly six years in the Office of General Counsel at Deloitte Global, where he served as Americas lead counsel and senior managing director. 

Sanchez brings over 25 years of experience navigating high-stakes litigation, government investigations, crisis management, and compliance challenges. At Deloitte, he led cross-functional, cross-border teams in complex regulatory, enforcement, and civil litigation matters globally. He also advised business, risk, and legal stakeholders at Deloitte Global and its member firms on internal investigations, legal compliance, and corporate governance. Prior to Deloitte, Sanchez spent 12 years at Sidley Austin LLP, where he was a litigation partner and practice group leader, focusing on regulatory investigations, white collar matters, and civil litigation.   

Sanchez has defended U.S. and international accounting firms, audit professionals, public companies, investment firms, and other regulated entities in enforcement and regulatory investigations before the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Department of Justice, state boards of accountancy, and other U.S. and foreign regulators. He has successfully defended securities fraud class actions, shareholder derivative suits, and professional malpractice claims and led independent investigations and anticorruption risk assessments across the U.S., Latin America, and Europe. 

“Jose’s in-depth understanding of the SEC and its enforcement priorities, along with his proven track record defending accounting firms and public companies and managing complex enforcement issues across the U.S. and Latin America, significantly enhances our already robust team of SEC attorneys and strengthens our ability to guide clients through their most intricate multijurisdictional matters,” said Margaret Gembala Nelson, chair of Foley’s Securities Enforcement & Litigation Practice. “We are excited to welcome Jose to the team and look forward to the valuable contributions he will make.” 

Early in his career, Sanchez served as senior trial counsel in the SEC’s Division of Enforcement, where he led and supervised a wide range of complex enforcement cases involving accounting restatements, disclosure fraud, unregistered securities offerings, insider trading, broker-dealers, and investment advisers. He also successfully litigated and tried high-profile enforcement cases while at the SEC.   

“Jose’s addition underscores Foley’s commitment to expanding our California offices and enhancing our West Coast presence with top lateral talent,” said Kimberly Klinsport, managing partner of the firm’s Los Angeles office. “He has built a distinguished reputation in the SEC and accountants’ liability defense arena and offers a unique perspective from his senior roles at both the SEC and in-house at a Big Four accounting firm, which will be invaluable to our team and clients.” 

“Joining Foley presents an exciting opportunity to return to private practice and a full-service platform where I can make a meaningful impact on both client success and the firm’s continued growth in California. With Foley’s well-established securities enforcement, internal investigations, and accountants’ defense practices, combined with its national reach and robust cross-border capabilities, the firm offers an ideal platform to leverage my professional experiences and support clients across the U.S. and Latin America,” said Sanchez. “In addition to Foley’s impressive platform, I was drawn to the firm’s collaborative culture and strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, which align with my values.”  

Sanchez’s arrival reflects Foley’s continued growth in California, following several recent additions this year, including partners Rajiv Dharnidharka, Jeanette Barzelay, and Brian Wheeler in San Francisco, and partner Nick O’Keefe in Silicon Valley. 

About Foley & Lardner LLP 

Foley & Lardner LLP is a preeminent law firm that stands at the nexus of the Energy, Health Care and Life Sciences, Innovative Technology, and Manufacturing Sectors. We look beyond the law to focus on the constantly evolving demands facing our clients and act as trusted business advisors to deliver creative, practical, and effective solutions. Our 1,100 lawyers across 26 offices worldwide partner on the full range of engagements from corporate counsel to intellectual property work and litigation support, providing our clients with a one-team solution to all their needs. For nearly two centuries, Foley has maintained its commitment to the highest level of innovative legal services and to the stewardship of our people, firm, clients, and the communities we serve.