Leading global professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) continues to grow its Global Forensic and Dispute Services group with the addition of industry veteran Christopher Laursen who joins the firm as a Managing Director in Washington, D.C.

Laursen has an extensive background working with financial institutions in connection with products, markets, risk management and regulation, and brings more than 20 years of regulatory and advisory experience in the private and public sectors.  Recently his work has focused on issues surrounding high frequency trading and dark pools, purported market manipulation and complex financial strategies and products.

“Chris brings an invaluable set of skills to the firm at a time when regulators are increasingly focused on financial institutions and risk management,” said Bryan Ruez, Global Co-Leader of Alvarez & Marsal Global Forensic and Dispute Services. “Having worked with some of the world’s top financial firms as well as key regulatory organizations, Chris has an informed perspective that enhances the value and insights A&M brings to its clients.”

Prior to joining A&M, Laursen served as a partner and chaired the financial institutions and banking practice at NERA Consulting.  Previously, he served as Manager of Risk Policy and Guidance for the Federal Reserve Board (FRB), where he was responsible for the development and interpretation of regulations and guidance issued to Federal Reserve-supervised financial institutions and examiners. He also worked closely with supervisors from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to craft and implement U.S. interagency regulations and policies.

Laursen also previously led the FRB’s trading risk section, advising the Board of Governors on significant issues related to the trading activities of financial institutions, and serving as a member of the Basel Committee's Trading Book Group.  During the financial crisis period he was involved in the FRB’s response to the financial crisis, reporting directly to Chairman Bernanke and other Federal Reserve Governors and Reserve Bank Presidents on risk, valuation and regulatory issues.

Prior to his roles at the FRB, Laursen served as an examiner for both the Federal Reserve System and the OCC where he directly assessed financial company activities including trading and dealing, credit underwriting, and portfolio management.  As an examiner he held various senior positions including lead trading and capital markets examiner over Bank of America.

Laursen earned an MBA in finance from Wharton and a BBA in finance from the University of Miami. He also maintains the Certified Regulatory and Compliance Professional (CRCP) from the FINRA Institute at Wharton.

With an increase in the complexity of corporate investigations, regulatory enforcement actions, and high stakes litigation, delivering results on critical matters is more important than ever. From the boardroom to the court room, A&M’s Global Forensic and Dispute Services professionals draw on their deep skills in business investigations, litigation consulting, forensic technology, and expert testimony to provide clients with the solutions they seek to achieve their goals.
        
Privately-held since 1983, A&M is a leading global professional services firm that delivers business performance improvement, turnaround management and advisory services to organizations seeking to transform operations, catapult growth and accelerate results through decisive action.  The firm's senior professionals are experienced operators, world-class consultants and industry veterans who leverage the firm's restructuring heritage to help leaders turn change into a strategic business asset, manage risk and unlock value at every stage.

A&M’s Global Forensic and Dispute Services Group sets the standard for delivering results on critical matters, drawing on its team’s experience in business investigations, litigation consulting, forensic technology, and expert testimony to provide clients with the solutions they seek to achieve their goals.