Clients turn to Helen Gugel for counsel on high-stakes government and internal investigations and litigation. A partner in Ropes & Gray’s litigation & enforcement practice, Helen represents companies, investment advisers, executives and boards of directors in both civil and criminal matters.
Helen has extensive experience handling investigations and government enforcement and regulatory matters relating to market misconduct or potential violations of federal securities and commodities laws. She has represented clients before the U.S. Department of Justice, Securities and Exchange Commission, Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and self-regulatory organizations such as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, among others. She also works with clients to anticipate and mitigate compliance risk. Helen has received national recognition for her securities experience and was recently recognized as one of the Top 20 U.S. Power Women in Crypto by Citywealth. She is also co-author of a leading practitioner’s guide on commodities and futures enforcement published by Bloomberg.
Beyond her government-facing work, Helen conducts internal and independent investigations into allegations of serious wrongdoing, including unlawful or unethical business practices, workplace harassment and other misconduct. A sensitive counselor with excellent interpersonal skills and a calm demeanor, Helen is known for her ability to navigate complex and sensitive issues with the highest level of integrity. Although many of her representations are confidential, in 2018, Helen played a leading role in the independent investigation commissioned by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee into Larry Nassar’s abuse of elite athletes, which resulted in a detailed public report. Her work earned her a Law360 “Rising Star” designation.
In addition, Helen maintains a robust pro bono practice focused on criminal defense and criminal justice reform, in which she draws on her experience as a Special Assistant District Attorney in Kings County. Helen also serves as a Steering Committee member of R&G Insights Lab, a differentiated solution for corporate governance and risk in complex business environments.
Prior to joining Ropes & Gray, she clerked for the Honorable Shira A. Scheindlin in the Southern District of New York and worked with several nonprofits in India, Nepal, and Rwanda focused on empowering women.