Matthew Nielsen Joins Bracewell’s White Collar Defense Team in Dallas

DALLAS – Bracewell LLP announced today that Matthew G. Nielsen has joined the firm’s Dallas office as a partner in the white collar defense group. He previously was a partner at Stanton LLP, a litigation boutique in Dallas, which he joined in 2017 from Andrews Kurth LLP.

“Matthew is an excellent trial lawyer, whose experience handling complex white collar investigations and litigation will strengthen our growing white collar team,” said Bracewell Managing Partner Gregory M. Bopp. “We’re excited to welcome him to the firm.”

Nielsen has over 17 years of experience defending corporations, corporate executives and employees, and securities industry professionals in civil and criminal investigations, as well as securities investigations and litigation. He represents US and international clients on matters related to federal and state securities laws, US export controls and sanctions laws and regulations, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, whistleblower complaints, accounting fraud and healthcare fraud. Among his recent matters, Nielsen overturned the lifetime bar of a 30-year securities professional by successfully challenging the constitutionality of SEC administrative proceedings and led the team overseeing the monitorship of an international company found guilty of violating US export control laws.

“Matthew is highly regarded within the legal profession for handling sensitive and complex matters with the utmost integrity and skill,” said Stephen L. Braga, chair of Bracewell’s white collar defense team. “Matthew’s arrival adds to the firm’s strong bench and especially deepens our ability to handle civil and criminal securities-related matters, both nationally and in Dallas-Fort Worth.”

Braga joined Bracewell in January 2019 shortly after Law360 recognized the firm as a White Collar Practice Group of the Year.

Nielsen will be part of a growing national team that, in addition to Braga, includes Daniel S. Connolly, Barbara S. Jones, Thomas F. Kokalas and Paul Shechtman in New York; Jeffrey B. Vaden in Houston; Kevin D. Collins in Austin; and Britt Cass Steckman in Washington, DC.

Nielsen regularly practices before state and federal regulatory and law enforcement agencies, including the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Department of Justice (DOJ), Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), state securities boards and state attorneys general. He moved to Stanton LLP in July 2017 after 10 years at Andrews Kurth. Nielsen became a partner at Andrews Kurth in 2011 and chaired that firm’s white collar and regulatory enforcement practice.

“I look forward to joining Bracewell’s dynamic team and continuing to defend the reputation of clients in white collar investigations and litigation,” said Nielsen.

Nielsen received his J.D., magna cum laude, from Baylor Law School, where he was assistant managing editor, executive editor, and notes and comments editor of Baylor Law Review. He earned his BBA, cum laude, at Texas Christian University.