Trace Schmeltz

Trace Schmeltz

Barnes & Thornburg LLP β€’ Chicago, IL
Financial Markets ServicesCapital MarketsDerivativesFinancial ServicesInvestigations

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Contact

Email
Phone
Address
1 N Wacker Dr Ste 4400, Chicago, IL, 60606-2841, US

Professional

About

I am a financial services lawyer, focusing on securities and commodities regulatory issues. I cut my teeth at Enron, after its collapse, managing the government investigations. Since then, I have worked on and tried a number of high-profile securities and commodities matters, including Global Crossing and MF Global. As a studen of the capital markets, I deal with issues involving cryptocurrency, the blockchain, and complex derivatives and options trading. I also frequently try cases involving corporate disputes or issues arising from mergers and acquisitions. As part of my work, I am regularly retained by individuals who may have been involved with companies deemed by the SEC or CFTC to be operating in a fraudulent manner. In such cases, I assist clients in ascertaining defenses to both liability and, where applicable, disgorgement of funds obtained in connection with the allegedly fraudulent enterprise. In addition, I am a SuperLawyer in Illinois, and have been since 2013. Read more: ?nbioID=c0-49d7-9622-26e00377a572&ajax=no

Credentials

Education
1997 University of Kansas School of Law JD - Juris Doctor 1992 Principia College BA - Bachelor of Arts
Languages
French | German | English

Recognition & Involvement

Awards
2017 Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers 2016 Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers 2015 Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers 2014 Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers 2013 Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
Publications
2017 Fintank Blockchain Stimulates Creative Problem Solving 2015 Westlaw Journal - White Collar Crime Newman Appeal Represents Government's Misguided Effort to Change the Law of Insider Trading
Associations
2000 - Present American Bar Association Member
Speaking
2017 DiscoverReady Webinar Sensitive Data in Litigation and Beyond – Securing Every Link in the Chain
Updated: Mar 08, 2026