A partner in Reed Smith’s Global Capital Markets practice, Winterfeldt is both an attorney admitted to the Bar of the State of New York and a qualified solicitor in England & Wales. Currently based in the London office, his practice focuses on representing US, UK, European and Asian investment banks and corporate issuers in a wide range of securities transactions.
He founded the “Forum for US Securities Lawyers in London” in 2006 to address US securities issues in the London capital market across law firms, banks, and intermediaries. In 2016 The Forum was ‘Highly Commended’ by the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards in the category ‘Innovation in Navigating Regulation’ for its work supporting the London Stock Exchange and Euroclear UK & Ireland (CREST) in designing and implementing the system to allow for the electronic trading and settlement of Regulation S, Category 3 securities of US issuers trading on the London Stock Exchange. This innovation makes it easier for US companies to IPO on the London Stock Exchange.
In 2008, Winterfeldt founded the “InterLaw Diversity Forum”, which seeks to promote meritocracy diversity and inclusion for everyone working in the legal sector. The InterLaw Diversity Forum currently has more than 8,500 members and supporters from over 300 law firms and chambers, and over 500 corporates and financial institutions. The InterLaw Diversity Forum is a volunteer-led, not-for-profit organisation.
In March of this year, Winterfeldt was also recognised as an Honorary Queen’s Counsel (QC Honoris Causa or Honorary QC) for his work in both capital markets and diversity & inclusion. This award, which is made by royal prerogative by the Queen upon recommendation by the Lord Chancellor, is given to those who have made extraordinary contributions to the legal profession of England and Wales outside of the courts.
Daniel commented: “It is a privilege to receive this award and I feel honoured that my contributions to the legal profession - both to capital markets and to diversity and inclusion – have received such recognition. It is especially poignant to receive this honour in 2020. The global response to the tragic death of George Floyd has forced us more than ever to recognise the fundamental need to improve equality and remove systemic barriers in our society and the legal profession.”
Some of Winterfeldt’s other accolades and achievements include:
- Being named the 'Legal Innovator of the Year' at the 2012 FT Innovative Lawyers Awards for his work in capital markets and diversity and inclusion
- 'Highly Commended' for 'Solicitor of the Year - Private Practice' at the 2019 Law Society Excellence Awards.
- Named “Diversity Champion (Law Firm)” at the 2019 UK Diversity Legal Awards (given by the Black Solicitors’ Network).
- Patron of the Albert Kennedy Trust, alongside Sir Ian McKellen and others, and has raised over £350,000 through the InterLaw Diversity Forum to support their vital work with homeless and at-risk LGBT+ youth.
- Being a member of the Equality & Diversity Committee at the Law Society of England & Wales for six years; and a member of the Judicial Appointments Commission's Judicial Diversity Task Force for three years.
- On the Development Board of the Donmar Warehouse since 2016 and served on the Development Board of the Royal Court Theatre from 2009 to 2014.
- From 2013 to 2020 Daniel was a member of the Primary Markets Group of the London Stock Exchange.
- In 2013 Daniel was admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States as part of a delegation from the National LGBT Bar, escorted by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg celebrating the second inauguration of President Obama.
About the Forum for US Securities Lawyers in London
The Forum for US Securities Lawyers in London (the “Forum”) is a trade association representing US-qualified lawyers and participants in the London capital markets. Membership is over 1,600 people and includes US-qualified lawyers practicing at law firms and financial institutions in the London capital markets, as well as market participants including securities exchanges, settlement systems and registrars.
The Forum is an independent, self-funded organization dedicated to addressing issues of the application of and compliance with US securities laws in London and international capital markets.
The Forum was founded in 2006 by Daniel. The Forum is co-chaired by Daniel and Edward Bibko, General Counsel for EMEA and Asia, Jefferies International.
The Forum meets annually in Washington D.C. with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), has submitted numerous comment letters to the SEC on proposals affecting the London and international capital markets, distributes regular US Securities Updates, Digests and other informational emails, holds events and seminars, publishes podcasts and webinars, and has published its International Capital Markets Glossary.
Since its inception the Forum has taken a leading role in creating guidance for and shaping market practice of Regulation S, Category 3 securities of US companies listed or admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange. In 2015 the Forum took the leading role in supporting the London Stock Exchange and Euroclear UK & Ireland (CREST) in designing and implementing the system to allow for the electronic trading and settlement of Regulation S, Category 3 securities of US issuers trading on the London Stock Exchange. For this innovation, which makes it easier for US companies to IPO on the London Stock Exchange, the Forum was ‘Highly Commended’ by the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards in 2016 in the category ‘Innovation in Navigating Regulation’.
The Forum was also short-listed by the British Legal Awards in 2009 for “Law Firm Innovation”.
About the InterLaw Diversity Forum
The InterLaw Diversity Forum works to foster inclusion for all diverse talent working in the legal sector, and to promote meritocracy in all sectors by working to 'level the playing field' in order to create environments where the best talent can succeed. The InterLaw Diversity Forum currently has more than 8,500 members and supporters from over 300 law firms and chambers, and over 500 corporates and financial institutions. The InterLaw Diversity Forum is a volunteer-led, not-for-profit organisation.
Since its founding in 2008 the InterLaw Diversity Forum has expanded its scope beyond LGBT+ to encompass all strands of diversity and inclusion, including Race & Ethnicity (BAME), Disability, Gender, and social mobility, with a particular focus on cultural change in the workplace and 'multiple identities'/intersectionality.
InterLaw’s work can be broken down into four key pillars supporting: (1) diverse and disadvantaged individuals in the profession; (2) law firms, chambers and legal employers; (3) government and regulatory bodies; and (4) the wider community.
- InterLaw Diversity Forum was shortlisted for "Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion" at the Law Society Excellence Awards (October 2019).
- Its Race & Ethnicity (BAME) Network was awarded “Outstanding BAME Employee Network of the Year” at the UK Diversity Legal Awards (2017).
- InterLaw Diversity Forum was "Highly Commended" in the category "Innovation in Human Resources" for our Apollo Project and Purple Reign exhibition at the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards (2016).
- InterLaw Diversity Forum was “Standout Winner” for "Diversity" at the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards (2008).
- InterLaw Diversity Forum was ‘’Highly Commended’’ for "Diversity and Inclusion" at the Law Society Excellence Awards (2008).
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is a dynamic international law firm dedicated to helping clients move their businesses forward. Our belief is that by delivering smarter and more creative legal services, we will not only enrich our clients’ experiences with us, but also support them in achieving their business goals.
Our long-standing relationships, international outlook and collaborative structure, make us the go-to partner for the speedy resolution of complex disputes, transactions and regulatory matters.
For further information, please visit reedsmith.com.
