David Hirsch

Dave is a distinguished member of McGuireWoods’ securities enforcement and regulatory counseling practice, where he plays a key role in shaping the firm’s strategic direction in securities enforcement. Before joining McGuireWoods, Dave served as a Senior Officer and Chief of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement’s Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit through June 2024. In this role, he oversaw high-stakes investigations into cybersecurity policies, procedures, and risk disclosures and led the SEC’s crypto enforcement efforts during a pivotal period that included the collapse of FTX.

Prior to his leadership role in the Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit, Dave served as enforcement counsel to SEC Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw, advising on enforcement recommendations before the Commission and contributing to key rulemaking and policy initiatives. Earlier in his SEC tenure, as a staff attorney in the Fort Worth Regional Office, Dave led investigations into cybersecurity, crypto, and dark web related violations of securities laws.

At McGuireWoods, Dave leverages his extensive SEC experience to advise clients on emerging regulatory and legal challenges, including cybersecurity compliance and incident response. He also leads internal investigations and counsels clients in responding to government inquiries on securities law and broader regulatory issues, particularly in the rapidly evolving areas of crypto and fintech. Dave frequently speaks at conferences regarding cybersecurity and crypto, contributes to legal publications and guest lectures at colleges, business schools and law schools. Dave graduated from UCLA School of Law and clerked for Judge Edward J. Schwartz at the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. Dave is a member of NYU’s Center for Cyber Security Legal Advisory Board and authored the chapter on Blockchain and Information Security in the Handbook of Blockchain Law.