Norton Rose Fulbright appoints Mark Oakes as US Co-Head of Regulation, Investigations, Securities and Compliance

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright today announced the appointment of Austin partner Mark Oakes as its US Co-Head of Regulation, Investigations, Securities and Compliance. He joins New York partner Sandeep Savla in this leadership role and succeeds Washington, DC partner Kevin Harnisch, who will continue to serve as the firm’s US Head of White Collar Defense and Investigations.

Jeff Cody, Norton Rose Fulbright’s US Managing Partner, said:

“Mark is a stellar lawyer and a respected leader at Norton Rose Fulbright. Growing our global investigations team is an important area of focus for the firm, and I am pleased that Mark will join Sandeep in leading this charge.”

 

Steve Jansma, Norton Rose Fulbright’s US Head of Litigation and Disputes, said:

“We have expanded our investigations practice significantly over the last few years in response to increased demand for our regulatory services. Mark is a veteran in this space with the leadership experience to guide this dynamic and growing team alongside Sandeep.”

Mark represents companies and individuals in government investigations and performs internal investigations on behalf of audit committees and other board committees that involve a wide range of issues, including accounting irregularities, suspected violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and US trade sanction and embargo laws, and alleged false statements to government agencies such as the SEC and the Department of Justice.

Mark’s practice also focuses on commercial and securities litigation. He defends companies and their officers and directors in shareholder litigation arising out of mergers and acquisitions, alleged accounting irregularities and financial restatements, missed earnings guidance, internal control weaknesses and alleged breaches of fiduciary duty in various contexts.

Mark, who previously served as Norton Rose Fulbright’s Austin Partner-in-Charge, said:

“Businesses are facing expanded regulatory risk due to complex and ever-evolving regulation. Norton Rose Fulbright’s regulation, investigations, securities and compliance team advises clients on complex issues on a global scale, and I am excited to join Sandeep in leading this outstanding team of lawyers.”

Mark has been recognized as a leading litigator by several publications, including Chambers USA (2020 – 2023) and Best Lawyers in America (2024).

Licensed in Texas and California, Mark earned his law degree magna cum laude from Cornell Law School and his bachelor’s degree from Eckerd College.