LawVisory Legal & Compliance Team | SEC Compliance Attorneys
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The LawVisory Team
Our Global Team of experienced legal and compliance professionals who are experts at SEC compliance led by Jeffrey Smith, a commercial and securities lawyer and entrepreneur who understands what a business needs.
Our Founding Member
Mr. Jeff Smith is a highly experienced securities, tax, business, M&A, regulatory compliance, digital assets, capital markets, and FinTech attorney with over 26 years of experience strengthening the legal and compliance functions of financial services companies, investment advisers, broker-dealers, digital asset companies, family offices, technology companies, and investment vehicles. He has represented companies at all stages of maturity with their legal and compliance needs related to capital and debt raising efforts via private and public offerings. He has also served as Chief Legal Officer and Chief Compliance Officer for many companies while also working in the Director of Enforcement’s office at the Securities and Exchange Commission and serving as Investigative Counsel for President Obama at the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission. Mr. Smith also serves on public company boards and was highly instrumental in facilitating the merger between Digital World Acquisition Corp and Trump Media & Technology Group, resulting in Trump Media becoming a publicly traded, well-resourced company. Mr. Smith also advises presidents, heads of parliament and ministers throughout Africa as part of his work in international economic development and is an expert in tax structuring and asset preservation planning. He has also been a pioneer in the development of tradable fractional and partitioned interests in rarities and real world asset tokenization as a co-founder of RarityX.
- Registered Investment Advisers (RIAs)—from startup through annual reviews and SEC exams
- Blockchain, Crypto & Digital Asset Companies—launch, token compliance, general counsel
- Tech Founders & Startups—capital raise, contracts, compliance, and strategic legal growth
- International Companies—U.S. market entry, SEC filings, regulatory advisory
- Venture Funds & Investors—due diligence, deal structuring, SEC documentation
EDUCATION
- Master of Laws in Securities & Financial Regulation from Georgetown University Law Center
- Juris Doctor from University of Kentucky
- Bachelors of Science in Accountancy from University of Kentucky
CREDENTIALS
- Investment Adviser Certified Compliance Professional (NRS Education), with an additional certification in Hedge Fund compliance
- Certified in Risk Management (International Institute of Professional Education and Research)
- Certified Regulatory and Compliance Professional FINRA Institute at Wharton
- FINRA Series 14 (Compliance Officer)
- California Real Estate Broker
The Team
Our people are at the center of what we do. Meet the attorneys, compliance professionals, business advisors, and specialists who bring their experience and perspective to our clients every day.
Olivia Bermann
Chief Compliance Officer
Ms. Bermann specializes in corporate law, compliance, mergers and acquisitions, governance, and regulatory matters involving the SEC and FINRA. She also has experience in privacy law, including GDPR and CCPA, and serves as a Data Protection Officer. A Certified Securities Compliance Professional (CSCP), she brings more than fifteen years of experience coordinating legal and compliance matters globally.
Andrew Lucich
Chief Compliance Officer
Mr. Lucich specializes in investment advisory compliance, regulatory oversight, and risk management for SEC-registered investment advisers. His experience includes compliance leadership, governance, program development, and operational risk management. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance with a minor in Economics from the University of Massachusetts Boston and has extensive expertise in adviser compliance and fiduciary oversight.
John Almerino
Head of Legal
Mr. Almerino is a corporate lawyer with experience in international business, securities regulation, digital assets, and regulatory compliance. He previously served as in-house counsel for a VC-backed blockchain startup, gaining experience in compliance, capital markets, and U.S. securities law. His background also includes corporate law, litigation, employment law, real estate, taxation, and regulatory matters.
Mhai Largo
Legal & Compliance Consultant
Ms. Largo has a strong academic and professional foundation in corporate law and intellectual property, enabling her to provide well‑rounded legal support to clients navigating complex commercial and regulatory matters. In addition to her regulatory practice, Ms. Panaligan leads LawVisory’s Fashion & Luxury Law practice, advising emerging and established brands on intellectual property strategy, brand protection, commercial structuring, and regulatory risk management in cross-border markets.
Sebastian Olmos
Legal & Compliance Consultant
Mr. Olmos has a strong legal background and specialization in international business, he is highly qualified to provide comprehensive advice and support to businesses and law firms, ensuring successful market entry and operations in the global market. He is a legal consultant with more than six years of experience in areas such as corporate law, international business law and international tax planning. Olmos holds a Certified Securities Compliance Professional (CSCP) designation from the National Society of Compliance Professional.
Celina Panaligan
Legal & Compliance Consultant
Ms. Panaligan has a strong academic and professional foundation in corporate law and intellectual property, enabling her to provide well‑rounded legal support to clients navigating complex commercial and regulatory matters. In addition to her regulatory practice, Ms. Panaligan leads LawVisory’s Fashion & Luxury Law practice, advising emerging and established brands on intellectual property strategy, brand protection, commercial structuring, and regulatory risk management in cross-border markets.
Eduardo Iniesta
Legal & Compliance Consultant
Mr. Iniesta is a seasoned attorney with extensive experience in managing and resolving both contentious and non‑contentious legal matters for national and international clients. Known for his strategic mindset, analytical depth, and commitment to legal excellence, he continues to advise and represent clients with the highest professional standards. He holds a Law Degree from Tecnológico de Monterrey and has complemented his legal training with specialized certification from Harvard University in Negotiation: New Skills for 21st Century Success.
Tonette Rivera
Legal & Compliance Consultant
Ms. Rivera specializes in legal compliance, regulatory affairs, and public sector law. She has extensive experience in legal research, policy analysis, adjudication, and compliance management, with a background spanning election law, human rights matters, and regulatory compliance. Rivera also has experience supporting U.S.-based legal matters, including litigation support, discovery management, and legal document review. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of the Philippines and combines public sector legal expertise with international compliance and regulatory experience.
John Marante
Legal & Compliance Consultant
Mr. Marante is a dual‑qualified attorney (New York and the Philippines), bringing extensive experience across the APAC region. He combines in‑house and top‑tier law firm expertise to deliver practical, risk‑based legal and regulatory advice. Mr. Marante’s background spans capital markets transactions, commercial contracting, regulatory compliance, and APAC employment law. He has led the development of regulatory frameworks, negotiated critical commercial agreements, and managed sensitive workplace investigations.
Yahia Fahmy
Tax Attorney
Mr. Fahmy is a cross-border legal and tax consultant with a background in international business law, M&A, and global trade advisory. He holds an LL.B. from London South Bank University and from the British University in Egypt. With a career spanning international law, corporate advisory, and trade compliance, Mr. Fahmy brings a comprehensive, globally informed perspective to clients operating across borders. At LawVisory, Yahia focuses on international tax strategy, cross-border structuring, M&A advisory, and complex transactional support for globally mobile individuals, investment vehicles, and growth-stage businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions.
Sofia Sarmiento
Tax Attorney
Ms. Sarmiento specializes in tax law, international taxation, contract management, and regulatory compliance. She has extensive experience advising individuals and businesses on local and cross-border tax matters, corporate structuring, commercial contracts, mergers and acquisitions, and tax controversy proceedings before tax authorities and courts. She is a professor of Tax Law and Public Finance at the University of Buenos Aires and is an active member of professional legal and tax organizations. With more than ten years of experience in leading law firms, multinational corporations, and independent practice, Sarmiento provides strategic legal and tax advice to clients across multiple jurisdictions and industries.
About Lawvisory
Global Perspective. Local Knowledge. One Connected Team.
Business does not stop at borders—and neither does compliance.
LawVisory brings together legal, compliance, business, and regulatory professionals with experience spanning the United States, South Africa, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Hong Kong, Argentina, Australia, and the Philippines.
Our global team gives clients access to a broader perspective on the challenges of operating, raising capital, entering new markets, and managing regulatory obligations across jurisdictions. This international perspective is particularly valuable for companies navigating growth beyond their home market, where regulatory requirements, business practices, risk considerations, and market expectations can vary significantly.
Fractional Expertise, Without Geographic Boundaries
Our fractional legal and compliance model gives companies access to experienced professionals without the cost and complexity of building a large in-house team.
That model becomes even more powerful when supported by a globally distributed team.
From SEC and FINRA compliance in the United States to cross-border business expansion and international market considerations, our professionals bring knowledge from multiple markets and disciplines to help clients make informed decisions as they grow.
Testimonials
Built for Companies That Think Globally
Whether you are entering the U.S. market, expanding internationally, raising capital across borders, launching a new financial or digital asset business, or building a regulatory infrastructure capable of supporting growth, LawVisory can help you navigate the legal and compliance considerations that come with expansion.
Our team combines U.S. regulatory expertise with international experience, helping clients identify potential issues earlier, build scalable compliance frameworks, and approach growth with greater confidence.
Address
1250 Connecticut Ave NW #700, Washington, DC 20036
Contact
+1 202-854-0515
info@lawvisory.com
Why LawVisory?
Committed to Excellence
U.S.-Licensed Attorneys and Global Consultants
A quick Discovery Consultation helps our dedicated team understand your current pain points and connects to right resource to cater for your Legal and Compliance needs .
Experts Allocated
Once the dedicated expert has been assigned the task, a deeper consultation is undergone to properly scope the Legal and Compliance tasks.
Engagement Agreement
A complete engagement agreement is proposed and accepted to ensure the scope of work, specific outcomes and expectation and terms are agreed upon.
Final Execution
Our team of dedicated experts tackle your current Legal and Compliance challenge as per the Engagement Agreement.