Profile

Emil J. Ali focuses his practice on limiting and defending respondents in regulatory and professional conduct investigations, enforcement actions, arbitrations, and court cases with the goal of helping protect his clients' licenses and good name in two major industries--the legal and financial professions. His diverse experience affords him the ability to provide advice and counsel to licensed professionals including attorneys, investment advisors, broker-dealers, and registered representatives.

IP Ethics and OED Disciplinary Defense

Emil's experience includes working within the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Office of Enrollment and Discipline (OED). While at the OED, he helped to promulgate the USPTO Rules of Professional Conduct. His unique experience affords him an understanding of the regulation of the legal profession. He also provides guidance to law firms and attorneys regarding employment transitions and the related conflicts, and represents some of the most well-known intellectual property firms in resolving ethical dilemmas.  As a registered patent attorney, Emil understands the nuances of patent prosecution and litigation, as well as the unique obligations of patent and trademark practitioners who practice before the USPTO.  His work includes focused efforts to understand the intersection of specialized IP & Ethics issues, including subject matter conflicts, PTAB and TTAB sanctions issues, as well as inequitable conduct and duty of disclosure issues.

Emil is considered the foremost authority in OED ethics and discipline matters, having handled over 250 matters with the USPTO's disciplinary arm, as well as matters before various state bars, including California, Oregon, and the District of Columbia.  Emil is relied upon by lawyers and law firms across the U.S. (and the world) for his simple and effective communication style and no-nonsense approach to addressing complex ethics issues.  Additionally, Emil is an adjunct professor of law at Lewis and Clark Law School in Portland, OR where he teaches legal ethics. Emil is also routinely retained as an expert in matters related to disqualification, conflicts, privilege, and confidentiality.

SEC and Investment Advisor Defense

Emil's practice also includes assisting registered investment advisors and broker dealers in complying with SEC, State, and FINRA obligations. He helps advisors break away from wirehouses and form their own advisory firms, while ensuring compliance with the Broker Protocol, negotiation of promissory notes, and any FINRA arbitrations. Emil also routinely represents investment advisors in examinations before the SEC and state securities regulators. McCabe & Ali LLP's national practice allows them to service advisors of all sizes across the U.S. Emil previously worked for the United States Department of Labor (DOL), Employee Benefits Security Administration where he focused his time on issues related to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). His experience at the DOL allows him to help clients understand the complex provisions of ERISA, including fiduciary obligations.  Emil also spent time at the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia as a Special Assistant United States Attorney.

In his spare time, Emil enjoys spending time with his family, travelling, and working to improve the legal profession by working on lawyer well-being and diversity issues.