Petal Walker will rejoin WilmerHale as special counsel, leaving her role as chief counsel for Commissioner Sharon Bowen at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Ms. Walker will start on October 11 in the firm's Futures and Derivatives Group in the Washington DC office. 

"We're thrilled that Petal is returning to WilmerHale to further strengthen our practice area," said Paul M. Architzel, partner and co-chair of the Futures and Derivatives Group. "She is an outstanding lawyer and her experience at the CFTC has deepened her understanding of the law and market practice, and will be extremely valuable to our clients."

Ms. Walker's practice will focus on advising companies on futures and swaps compliance and regulation, in addition to other policy matters overseen by the CFTC. She is thoroughly familiar with the issues facing clearinghouses and the regulation of markets. 

Ms. Walker joined the staff of the CFTC in October 2014, where she advised Commissioner Bowen on policy and enforcement issues and served on the CFTC's Market Risk Advisory Committee. Previously, Ms. Walker advised clients on Dodd-Frank requirements for swap dealers and counseled intermediaries and clearinghouses at the firm.

"I'm very honored to return to WilmerHale," Ms. Walker said. "I am looking forward to working with the many talented lawyers in the firm's outstanding Securities Department."