Lillian Brown
Partner
- Co-Chair, Corporate Governance and Disclosure Group
Lillian Brown is a partner in the Transactional and Securities Departments and Co-Chair of the Corporate Governance and Disclosure Group in the Corporate Practice Group. Ms. Brown advises clients, including public companies and their boards, on federal securities law compliance and corporate governance matters. She has extensive experience in SEC reporting and disclosure requirements, proxy and annual meeting matters, shareholder activism and engagement, shareholder proposals, and ESG matters. Ms. Brown works with a diverse range of companies, from Fortune 500 to private companies, spanning multiple industries including financial services and FinTech, technology, entertainment, consumer products, defense, biotechnology and retail. Prior to joining the firm in 2013, Ms. Brown spent nearly 14 years at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the Division of Corporation Finance. In her time at the SEC, among other roles, Ms. Brown served as Senior Special Counsel to the Director of the Division of Corporation Finance and Special Counsel in the Office of Mergers and Acquisitions.
Professional Activities and Community Involvement
Ms. Brown serves as Vice-Chair of the American Bar Association's Federal Regulation of Securities Committee and previously served as Chair of the Committee’s Subcommittee on Proxy Statements and Business Combinations. Ms. Brown co-chairs PLI’s Corporate Governance Master Class and PLI’s Directors’ Institute on Corporate Governance. She is also an Advisory Board member for the Securities Regulation Institute and a Fellow in the American College of Governance Counsel. Additionally, she serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of Insights: The Corporate & Securities Law Advisor. Ms. Brown previously served as an elected member on the DC Bar's Corporation, Finance and Securities Law Steering Committee from 2014-2017 and as a member of the NASDAQ Hearings Panel from 2013-2017. Ms. Brown also served as a member of the Capitol Hill Day School Board of Trustees in a number of positions from 2011–2020, most recently as Chair from 2017–2020.
Ms. Brown is a frequent speaker and author on corporate governance and SEC reporting and disclosure-related topics.
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WilmerHale Partner Lillian Brown Recognized in 2023 Edition of Chambers USA
Lillian Brown is recognized as a nationwide leader in the Securities: Regulation: Advisory category. Chambers USA evaluates lawyers based on the technical legal skills, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence, commitment and other qualities most valued by clients.
June 1, 2023Read More -
Lillian Brown Named Among the 2023 Best Lawyers in America
Best Lawyers in America recognizes the nation’s top lawyers based on their legal acumen and extensive confidential peer-reviews. Lillian Brown is recognized for corporate governance law.
August 18, 2022Read More
Experience
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Public Companies
Drawing from her experience at the SEC, Ms. Brown counsels public company clients on new and evolving disclosure requirements and governance trends and developments, including providing practical and strategic advice to the senior management and boards of directors of these companies.
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FinTech and Cryptocurrency
Ms. Brown counsels early-stage and public companies in the FinTech industry, with particular focus on issues around the regulation of cryptocurrency.
Recognition
- Selected by peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America for corporate governance law (2023–2024).
- Recognized in the 2020–2023 editions of Chambers USA Guide as a nationwide leader in the Securities: Regulation: Advisory category.
- Recommended in the 2017–2018 editions of The Legal 500 United States for M&A/Corporate and Commercial: Corporate Governance.
- Recipient of the SEC's 2010, 2006 and 2003 Law and Policy Award and the 2007 Paul R. Carey Award.
- Named to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Dealmakers in America list.
Insights & News
Credentials
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Education
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JD, University of Southern California Gould School of Law, 1999
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BA, Political, Legal & Economic Analysis, Mills College, 1994
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Admissions
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District of Columbia
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California
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Government Experience
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Securities and Exchange Commission
Division of Corporation Finance
Senior Special Counsel to the Director -
Securities and Exchange Commission
Division of Corporation Finance
Special Counsel, Office of Mergers and Acquisitions -
Securities and Exchange Commission
Division of Corporation Finance
Attorney Advisor, Disclosure Operations
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Credentials
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Education
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JD, University of Southern California Gould School of Law, 1999
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BA, Political, Legal & Economic Analysis, Mills College, 1994
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Admissions
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District of Columbia
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California
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Government Experience
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Securities and Exchange Commission
Division of Corporation Finance
Senior Special Counsel to the Director -
Securities and Exchange Commission
Division of Corporation Finance
Special Counsel, Office of Mergers and Acquisitions -
Securities and Exchange Commission
Division of Corporation Finance
Attorney Advisor, Disclosure Operations
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