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Keri Curtis Axel

Partner
kaxel@waymakerlaw.com
(213) 314-5284
“Keri really cared about my situation and help me get through it. And most of all she achieved the best possible outcome for my case.”
—Former client in criminal investigation
“Keri is someone you want on your side when the government falsely accuses you of illegal activity. She convinced the government I awas innocent and to unfreeze my bank account. I will forever be grateful.”
—Former client in criminal investigation
“I’m grateful for the support system I have around me. Especially my incredible lawyer. This would have been much worse outcome without her.”
—Trevor Jacob, Youtuber and Former Olympian
Photo of Keri Curtis Axel

Keri Curtis Axel is a first chair trial lawyer who defends clients in white-collar criminal and government enforcement actions. Keri also practices complex civil litigation, particularly in the financial services and FinTech sectors. Keri is a tenacious adversary in the courtroom, but also excels at creative solutions to end litigation where that is in her client’s interest.

Keri is a former federal prosecutor, as well as a former enforcement staff attorney at the Securities & Exchange Commission. In these government roles, Keri oversaw countless investigations and led trial teams in federal court. She now uses this experience to help her clients defend investigations and fight criminal charges around the country. Keri represents individuals and companies in investigations and litigation involving state and federal agencies, including the DOJ, SEC, CFPB, FTC, and the California Attorney General.

Keri has defended clients in investigations involving allegations of securities, tax, money laundering, sanctions, and consumer finance violations, and in public corruption matters. Keri also has substantial experience in cross-border criminal investigations, and in immigration and procurement fraud cases.
Keri also represents executives, entrepreneurs, and financial services professionals and companies in FINRA matters and civil litigation, where she draws on her extensive experience in tax, accounting, and the securities industry. She has also considerable experience in Fintech matters, and is a member of Waymaker’s Chambers-ranked Crypto Assets Disputes practice.

Keri has successfully litigated dozens of Ninth Circuit Appeals, and has argued in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals many times, as well as before the California Court of Appeals.

She has been named in The Best Lawyers in America® for Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2025), was named a “Leader of Influence: Litigators & Trial Attorneys” (2024), was noted as a woman of Influence: Attorneys (2022-2024) by Los Angeles Business Journal, and as an Elite Boutique Trailblazer (2022) by National Law Journal. A graduate of Harvard Law School, Keri is also sought after by the media to provide commentary and perspective on complex criminal and regulatory investigations.

Fintech/Crypto-Asset Disputes

  • One of the lead trial lawyers for Roman Storm, a developer of the Tornado Cash protocol, in a high profile month-long criminal case in the SDNY alleging money laundering and sanctions violations.  Presenting issues of first impression concerning First Amendment rights to code and the extent of criminal liability over software, Keri and the Waymaker team achieved a mistrial on the most serious violations.  Matter is ongoing.
  • Obtained declination in SEC investigation of blockchain company’s ICO.
  • Represented advisor to blockchain project in SEC and criminal investigation that resulted in no charges.
  • Represented blockchain company and its founder/developer in multiple mediations with other former founders to settle disputes regarding token allocations.
  • Represented Ethereum researcher Virgil Griffith in SDNY criminal prosecution asserting sanctions violations.

Financial Services Litigation

  • Represented Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) in two civil lawsuits and an arbitration filed by a pension fund alleging breach of fiduciary duty regarding investment decisions and reached settlement.
  • Represented individual sued in FINRA arbitration by broker- dealer for alleged violations of trading agreement.
  • Represent hedge fund in FINRA arbitration against its prime broker.
  • Represent individual in FINRA arbitration against broker-dealer for negligence and breach of fiduciary duty.

Regulatory Enforcement

  • In litigation against the FTC, defeated FTC summary judgment motion and motion for civil contempt against client.
  • Obtained declination in SEC investigation involving registered investment advisor and registered securities involving SEC marketing rule and foreign marketing agents.
  • Obtained declination from CFPB in investigation involving mortgage relief services.
  • Obtained declination from SEC in investigation of registered investment adviser concerning potential failure to supervise employee who embezzled from investment funds.
  • Represented employees in student debt relief investigation by the CFPB, responding to Civil Investigation Demand (“CID”) and litigated in federal court against the CFPB.
  • As SEC attorney, investigated financial reporting and disclosure violations by Fortune 500 technology company in quarterly and annual reports and brought and litigated enforcement complaint against company and its CEO, CFO and Controller.

Criminal

  • Represent former MLB player Yasiel Puig in Criminal case alleging false statements.
  • Obtained reversal of client’s mail fraud conviction through rarely-granted coram nobis brief.
  • Represented former Olympic snowboarder and stuntman Trevor Jacob in criminal matter involving alleged obstruction of justice concerning plane crash stunt.
  • Represented grand jury target in district court and Ninth Circuit litigation of complex attorney-client privilege issues in matter that went to the Supreme Court.  In re Grand Jury, 23 F.4th 1088 (9th Cir. 2021).
  • Represented health care executive in SEC investigation and criminal matter in which he was charged with distribution of off-label drugs.
  • Has represented many companies and individuals in criminal investigations, producing documents and representing clients in interviews and proffers. 
  • Obtained declination by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California in matter in which client was accused of cross-border structuring as part of an alleged unlicensed money remission scheme involving Bitcoin.
  • Negotiated civil resolution of FBI asset forfeiture investigation involving allegations of wire fraud/unlicensed money transmission, and client was not criminally charged.
  • As AUSA, tried complex securities and tax case involving embezzlement and securities fraud by President of SEC-registered broker-dealer.

  • Best Lawyers in America, Criminal Defense: White Collar (2025)
  • Los Angeles Business Journal, Leader of Influence: Litigators & Trial Attorneys (2024)
  • Los Angeles Business Journal, Woman of Influence: Attorneys (2022-2025)
  • National Law Journal, Elite Boutique Trailblazer (2022)
  • Member of Chambers-ranked FinTech and Crypto-Asset Disputes Practices

  • Board Member, Investor Choice Advocates Network (“ICAN”): a nonprofit public interest litigation organization dedicated to breaking down barriers to entry to capital markets and responding to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) enforcement and regulatory actions.
  • Women in White Collar Defense Association
  • Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center (Fire Rebuilding Fundraising Chair)
  • Former Board Member: Weizmann Day School (Fundraising Chair)
  • Previously served on the Pasadena Historical Commission, a mayoral appointment.
  • Significant pro bono work through Public Counsel

Education

  • Harvard Law School, J.D.
  • Azusa Pacific University, summa cum laude

Bar Admissions

  • California

Court Admissions

  • Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
  • Central District of California
  • Northern District of California
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