SEDA Digest: Evolving Trends in Wealth Management, Margin Loan Litigation, and New Structured Finance and Compliance Experts

SEDA Experts
Aug 5
3 min read

August 2025

Welcome to the monthly digest from SEDA Experts — your premier source for elite expert witnesses specializing in financial services. Below, you’ll find exclusive insights from our firm leaders, case updates, the latest news on our experts, and introductions to the newest additions to our ever-growing roster of accomplished practitioners.

INSIGHTS

New Age Wealth Management

Drawing on over 40 years of industry experience, Richard Marin explores the evolving portfolio allocation strategies deployed by younger investors and the expanding role of alternatives and crypto in these portfolios.

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CASE UPDATES

SEDA Experts Supported a Margin Loan Case Leading to a Successful Ruling by the Supreme Court of the State of New York (New York County)

SEDA Expert Robert MacLaverty was retained to provide his expert opinion on a complex margin loan transaction collateralized by equity, a warrant, and cash.

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EXPERTS IN THE NEWS

Dr. Matt Sekerke’s new book, Making Money Work: How to Rewrite the Rules of Our Financial System, highlights the central role of banks in the fiat money system, proposes a new framework for monetary policy, and makes critical recommendations for rebalancing the roles of banks and capital markets in financing investment. The Financial Times calls it “a must-read.”

Craig Coben, in his latest Financial Times Alphaville piece, examines Shein’s confidential Hong Kong IPO filing in the context of ongoing tensions between UK and Chinese regulators over Xinjiang-related disclosures, noting that the move appears driven by political considerations rather than investor protection.

Kathryn Porter, in one of her latest columns for The Telegraph, assesses NESO’s plans to reduce grid inertia, raising concerns in light of recent events like the Iberian blackout.

Dr. Willem H. Buiter, in his latest column for Project Syndicate, looks at the current state of US fiscal policy.

Steven T. Kargman, in the International Insolvency & Restructuring Report 2025/26, analyzes how rising US tariffs and global trade tensions may affect emerging economies and contribute to increased sovereign debt risks. The article was also featured in Columbia Law School’s CLS Blue Sky Blog and Oxford Law Faculty’s Oxford Business Law Blog (OBLB).

Dr. Feeney, in a new blog post on Martialis, revisits Debit Valuation Adjustment (DVA) as part of his ongoing XVA series, noting its decline in bank reporting and continued relevance for buy-side firms.

David Saul spoke at the Financial Services Disputes – The Third Annual Conference 2025 at One Whitehall Place, London, where he joined the panel Reviewing Sanctions and AML Concerns for Financial Institutions.

Howard Kramer, a Senior Advisor to the SEDA Board, was recently interviewed by the D.C. Bar about his novel Hitching To Bowie. In the feature, he discusses the inspiration behind the story and the cultural journey that shaped it.

Dr. Joanne M. Hill, co-author of the newly updated Comprehensive Guide to ETFs, announces the release of Module 1—published nearly a decade after the original edition from the CFA Institute Research Foundation.

NEW HIRES

SEDA continues to expand its expertise in Structured Finance and Compliance. We are excited to introduce:

Paul Morgan is a seasoned expert in structured products, securities trading, investment management, and capital markets. With over 30 years of experience, he has led and advised FCA-regulated entities, managed proprietary trading portfolios, and built high-performing investment teams. As a trusted advisor to financial institutions and boards, he provides strategic guidance on market volatility, risk management, and strategic growth.

Debbie Bigman has over 36 years of experience in financial product valuation, enterprise risk management and financial reporting. Her deep knowledge in credit, pricing and transaction analysis spans decades of market cycles and disruptions. Debbie has helped banks, specialty lenders, insurance companies, and funds navigate complex challenges arising from market and regulatory driven change.

Brian Dilley is an Economic Crime Prevention expert, with over 25 years of experience working at banks, regulators, and consultancies. He has managed and advised on fraud and anti-money laundering prevention, sanctions, and anti-bribery compliance, most recently serving as the Group Director of Economic Crime Prevention at Lloyds Banking Group. Mr. Dilley is currently working in a variety of consulting roles at banks and regulators.

Gary DeWaal is a seasoned expert in the law and regulation of futures and related exchanges. He additionally has expertise in securities, derivatives, digital assets, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing. He held senior roles at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP and Fimat (later renamed Newedge) and continues to be a respected voice in the field through ongoing work in related initiatives.