Paul M. Architzel

B.A., summa cum laude, State University of New York, Albany; J.D., Order of the Coif, George Washington. Professor Architzel is a Partner in Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP.  Professor Architzel focuses his practice on all areas of commodity futures regulation, including the formation and regulation of commodity pools and commodity trading advisors. He also has extensive experience in the regulation of exchanges, clearing houses and futures commission merchants and with over-the-counter derivatives.

For more than 20 years prior to joining the firm, Professor Architzel was chief counsel of the Division of Market Oversight at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission . He was the main architect of the new framework for futures market regulation, codified by the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000 (CFMA), and wrote the CFTC’s rules for regulated and exempt markets. In recognition of this work, he was granted the Presidential Rank Award of “Distinguished Executive” in 2000. Paul was a member of the commission’s Staff Task Force on Off-exchange Instruments and also worked with the Division of Market Oversight’s program for market surveillance and with the Division of Enforcement in responding to manipulative situations. He has also contributed substantial portions of many Commission reports, including reports on the global competitiveness of U.S. Futures Markets, the nature, extent and effects of futures trading using material, non-public information, and policy alternatives relating to agricultural trade options and other risk-shifting contracts. Professor Architzel is a frequent speaker and has authored several articles on issues regarding futures regulation.