Alexander S. Holtan

Alexander "Alex" Holtan is an attorney in Holland & Knight's Washington, D.C., office. Mr. Holtan counsels energy clients on trading in derivatives, enforcement matters and compliance with derivatives-related regulatory requirements, including those imposed by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). He provides interpretation and guidance on rules promulgated by various federal agencies, the National Futures Association (NFA) and a number of derivatives exchanges.

In addition, Mr. Holtan frequently assists clients, including swap dealers, commodity trading advisers, commodity pool operators, introducing brokers and commodity traders with CFTC and NFA registration, and creating and improving derivatives trading compliance programs.

Mr. Holtan also has helped clients launch commodity trading and investment funds for crude oil and renewable energy and carbon offsets and allowances. He also advises energy firms, commercial end users, investment banks and pooled investment vehicles on an array of derivatives and other transactions.

Mr. Holtan advises clients ranging from small investment funds and traders to large corporates and energy super majors on matters related to trading carbon credits in voluntary and mandatory markets such as the California Cap-and-Trade program. The advice covers not only transactions in carbon credits, but also emissions-related marketing claims and rights as well as applicable regulatory requirements.

Using his knowledge and experience with analogous derivatives regulatory matters in the U.S., Mr. Holtan advises on derivatives regulatory developments in Canada (federal and provincial), including issues related to reporting, margin, clearing and exemptions from dealer registration.

Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Mr. Holtan was a partner at a global law firm in its Washington, D.C., office. His previous experience also includes serving as a law clerk for the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, and as the Washington, D.C., programs director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.