Washington, DC – February 11, 2025 – Thomas (“Tom”) Kim, a highly regarded corporate governance and securities regulation attorney with extensive experience advising public companies, has joined Cooley as partner and co-head of the firm’s corporate governance and securities regulation practice, based in the Washington, DC, office. Kim’s background underscores Cooley’s dedication to bolstering its corporate governance and securities regulation capabilities in response to pressing client demands in a rapidly evolving regulatory and market landscape.

Kim joins Cooley from Gibson Dunn where he advised on a broad range of securities regulation and corporate governance matters – including capital markets transactions, shareholder activist situations, environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters, and compliance issues. Kim’s experience includes seven years of service at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), where he served as the chief counsel and associate director of the Division of Corporation Finance (Corp Fin), as well as counsel to the chairman. He previously served as corporate and securities counsel for the General Electric Company.

“Tom is an exceptional professional with a rich background handling corporate governance and securities issues, and we’re excited to welcome him to the firm,” said Sonya Erikson, global chair of Cooley’s business department. “Tom brings in-depth, firsthand knowledge of SEC policy and priorities, which will be a major benefit to our clients as we further strengthen our position as a premier destination practice for public companies.”

“Tom is a renowned attorney and advisor on a broad mix of corporate governance, policy, disclosure, activism, securities and regulatory matters,” said Dave Peinsipp, co-chair of Cooley’s global capital markets practice. “His experience at the SEC, and in private practice, will be invaluable for our publicly traded clients looking at strategic growth and liquidity options and navigating regulatory challenges.”

Kim is recognized for his securities regulatory and corporate governance acumen by Chambers USA (ranked in Band 1 – Nationwide for the last 10 years), The Best Lawyers in America, Who’s Who Legal and the NACD (National Association of Corporate Directors) Directorship 100. Additionally, Kim is a fellow of the American College of Governance Counsel and the former chair of the Northwestern Pritzker Law School’s Annual Securities Regulation Institute and the American Bar Association’s Securities Law Opinions Subcommittee of the Federal Regulation of Securities Committee.  

“I’m excited to join Cooley at a time where companies are navigating a fast-changing, high-stakes regulatory and advocacy environment,” said Kim. “Cooley’s unique global platform and innovative client base that includes late-stage, private companies and newly public companies is incredibly appealing to me. I look forward to helping my new colleagues further build the outstanding corporate governance and securities regulation practice.”

Combining technical experience with a nuanced understanding of business imperatives, Cooley’s corporate governance and securities regulation practice is widely recognized for advising public companies on complex governance and compliance matters. Cooley’s practitioners are skilled in helping companies navigate the full range of securities law issues in connection with public offerings, SEC filings and corporate transactions, while also providing strategic guidance to boards and management teams on strengthening corporate governance and shareholder engagement practices.

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