Two former top executives of Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the brokerage industry’s watchdog, have joined Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC to helm its new Securities Enforcement Group.

In a Jan. 2 press release, the Roseland-based law firm announced Christopher Kelly and Lisa Colone as co-chairs of the practice, which will focus on securities enforcement actions and litigation.

After coming to FINRA in 2014 as chief counsel for the North Region, Kelly advanced to the role of senior vice president four years later and then on to deputy head of enforcement. He served as the acting head of enforcement for FINRA before leaving the Washington, D.C.-headquartered watchdog in November 2023.

As vice president, Enforcement Legal, Colone led a team of chief counsels and more than 100 attorneys in investigating and enforcing violations of FINRA rules and federal securities laws. She previously served FINRA’s Department of Enforcement as chief counsel and senior regional counsel, overseeing a team of directors and attorneys as well as supervising more than 350 cases related to fraud, supervision, suitability and AML violations.

Prior to FINRA, Kelly and Colone both held various supervisory positions at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.

“We are so pleased to have to have Chris and Lisa choose to join CSG Law and establish our Securities Enforcement Group,” said Jeffrey Chiesa, a member of the firm’s executive committee.

“These two extremely gifted lawyers will collaborate closely with members of the firm’s Litigation and White Collar Defense & Investigations Groups to expand the solutions provided to our clients.”

Frank Giantomasi, a partner and member of the firm’s executive committee, added, “CSG Law continues to expand in 2024, after having completed a record year of growth with revenues totaling $114 million in 2023, a 12% increase above 2022.”

“We continue to identify key markets and industries for expansion and are excited to have Lisa and Chris on our team,” he said.