Parker adds to Reed Smith’s growing global practice of commodities markets and commodities regulatory specialists with experience in government, trading and financial technology. Her key areas of practice include regulatory, enforcement and transactional matters related to the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Parker also focuses on advances in cryptocurrencies, Fintech and Blockchain in commodities and finance, and the regulatory and legislative efforts governing them.

“Reed Smith continues to expand and diversify its global commodities practice through the hire of one of the most experienced lawyers in CFTC regulation, CFTC enforcement, and CFTC advisory and compliance work,” said New York-based partner Kyri Evagora, vice chair of Reed Smith’s Business & Finance department. “Her knowledge of commodities, trading and derivatives regulation, as well as Fintech, Blockchain and cryptocurrency-related matters, is exceptional and multifaceted. We are very pleased to welcome her to our firm.”

Parker’s practice centers on commodities, futures and derivatives, and trading-related matters, including the regulation of commodities, futures, and derivative products and market participants, registration, compliance and regulation under the Commodity Exchange Act and the Dodd-Frank Act. Parker also advises on the regulation of swap dealers and swap transactions, and the development of trading exchanges and electronic trading facilities for the trading of commodities, futures, and derivatives.

“Christine’s cutting-edge practice will be of great value to our commodities and energy clients,” said London-based partner Prajakt Samant, who chairs the firm’s Energy & Natural Resources Industry Group. “Her first-class legal pedigree, legal acumen and experience resonate with a broad spectrum of the industry.”

“Reed Smith’s global platform, its market-leading practice of energy and commodities lawyers, and a true focus on innovation all make it the perfect place for me to grow my practice,” said Parker. “I am especially excited to join a firm that understands and appreciates the evolving future of finance and technology.”

“Christine will provide valuable support and leadership to our rapidly growing Global FinTech practice, including advising exchange platforms, handling complex transactions, and counseling on government and regulatory oversight and compliance with respect to digital asset transactions and implementation of blockchain technologies to the financial services industry,” said New York partner Herbert F. Kozlov, who leads Reed Smith’s Global FinTech practice.

Before joining Sullivan & Cromwell in 2009, Parker served as legislative counsel to United States Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) on energy, defense and related foreign policy issues (2006–2008). Prior to her work with Senator Schumer, Parker received her J.D. from Yale Law School in 2006 and her B.A. from Yale University in 2000.

Parker served as co-chair of Sullivan & Cromwell’s Network of Black and Latinx Lawyers, focused on the recruitment, retention and promotion of Black and Latinx lawyers at the firm. She currently serves on the board of directors of the North Star Fund, New York’s grass-roots community foundation that provides grants in support of locally grown movements for change in New York City and the Hudson Valley. She is also on the board of Smack Mellon, a non-profit arts organization located in DUMBO, Brooklyn, whose mission is to nurture and support emerging, under-recognized mid-career and women artists in the creation and exhibition of new work.

“We are thrilled to be adding another experienced partner with such a high-level of specialized knowledge in New York office, said Cindy Minniti,” managing partner of the New York office. Parker is the fourth partner to join Reed Smith’s New York office in recent weeks, following the arrivals of International Arbitration partner J.P. Duffy, U.S. and International Tax partner Alan Schwartz, and Trusts & Estates partner Cheryl Hader.