Title: Special Counsel for the Office of International Affairs
Company: U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Location: Alexandria, Virginia, United States
Zachary W. M. Anderson, Esq., Special Counsel at the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Lawyers for dedication, achievements and leadership in Finance and Banking Law, Diplomacy and International Affairs.
Mr. Anderson has earned a reputation for excellence in finance and banking law, diplomacy and international affairs, and is recognized for his significant contributions to global regulatory frameworks. In his current capacity as a special counsel in the Office of International Affairs at the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission in Washington, D.C., a position he has held since 2023, he represents the commission at international conferences and global forums. Among his many tasks, he is responsible for ensuring that the commission’s positions are presented and considered within international standard-setting bodies such as the International Organization of Securities Commissions. Mr. Anderson’s work also includes preparing for international meetings, participating in calls with foreign regulators and facilitating discussions to harmonize regulatory frameworks across borders.
A notable highlight of Mr. Anderson’s tenure is his leadership in the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) Committee Five, where he serves as the sole representative of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. He leads a project to establish standards for valuing assets in investment funds, particularly those involving derivatives. This initiative aims to enhance transparency in asset valuation processes and advocates best practices, such as establishing independent committees for valuation oversight. The project’s guidance, while not binding, marks a significant advancement toward improving industry standards and mitigating risks associated with overvaluation and financial instability.
Additionally, Mr. Anderson prepares senior leadership at the IOSCO, including the chair and division heads, for key engagements by drafting speeches, writing memos and conducting practice sessions. He also contributes to drafting and negotiating memoranda of understanding with other countries, helping establish bilateral commitments that ensure cooperation and regulatory alignment. Mr. Anderson’s efforts are instrumental in creating uniform rules that reduce cross-border discrepancies, thereby safeguarding international financial systems from potential abuses and regulatory arbitrage.
Before his current roles, Mr. Anderson served as an associate at Thompson Coburn LLP in Washington, D.C., in 2023, a leading law firm that represents clients before agencies, courts and the U.S. Congress. From 2021 to 2023, he was an associate at Latham & Watkins in Washington, D.C., working in the private equity finance group. Between 2019 and 2021, Mr. Anderson excelled as an associate at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in New York City, gaining experience in securitizations within the firm’s finance group.
From 2017 to 2019, Mr. Anderson was an associate at Linklaters in the Greater New York City area, having initially joined the firm as a summer associate in 2016 while still pursuing his law degree. During this period, he honed his skills in acquisition financing and debt financing, an experience that would later prove invaluable in his regulatory work. Earlier, in 2016, Mr. Anderson served as a legal intern at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva, Switzerland, where he contributed to international legal initiatives supporting displaced populations.
Mr. Anderson’s foundational roles included serving as a legal secretary at the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project in Portland, Maine, from 2013 to 2014. There, he supported efforts to provide legal assistance to immigrants navigating complex legal systems. Mr. Anderson’s professional journey began with a congressional internship at the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C., in 2012.
Mr. Anderson’s academic background has been foundational to his success. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in international political economy from Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 2013, supported by the prestigious Boettcher Foundation Scholarship, awarded in 2009. This full-ride scholarship was designed to retain top talent within the state and played a significant role in shaping his academic trajectory. Subsequently, Mr. Anderson received a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 2017. His legal education provided him with rigorous training that underpins his expertise in both domestic and international law.
Committed to civic engagement, Mr. Anderson has served in volunteer roles with various organizations. Since 2024, he has been influential as the treasurer of the board of directors at Ten Thousand Villages of Alexandria, a fair-trade store dedicated to supporting businesses in developing nations and strengthening global economies. Earlier, Mr. Anderson volunteered as a law teacher with I’RAISE Girls & Boys International Corporation in Bronx, New York, from 2021 to 2023, where he shared legal knowledge with young students.
Mr. Anderson’s dedication to public service began early when he joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corps from 2013 to 2014 in Portland, Maine, working on immigration law issues. This passion continues through pro bono affiliations with the D.C. Bar, which provides free legal assistance to individuals navigating immigration challenges.
Reflecting on his career thus far, Mr. Anderson attributes much of his professional achievement to the support of friends and family throughout his educational journey as well as mentorship from colleagues who offered valuable guidance and training along the way. These influences have inspired him to mentor others and contribute positively to their professional development.
Throughout his career, Mr. Anderson has demonstrated unwavering dedication to advancing legal standards at both the national and international levels, while maintaining a strong commitment to public service, mentorship and community engagement. Looking ahead, he aims to continue building his expertise, establish himself as a leader in his field, and deepen his knowledge and expand his professional influence.
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