Alvarez & Marsal announced it expanded 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.

Prior to 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, 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 SEC, FDIC and the OCC to craft and implement U.S. interagency regulations and policies.

Laursen’s background includes serving 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.”

Laursen also previously led the Fed’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 Fed’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 Fed, 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.