Blair Paige Scott

Blair Paige Scott is a public affairs advisor in Holland & Knight's Washington, D.C., office, where she counsels clients on trading commodity derivatives, enforcement matters and compliance with regulations issued by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Ms. Scott provides interpretation and guidance for rules promulgated under Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, including subjects pertaining to the following:

• entity classification
• product classification, including the definition of swap
• margin requirements for uncleared swaps
• mandatory clearing and mandatory exchange execution
• trade documentation, including requirements specific to swap dealers
• prohibition on market manipulation and disruptive trading

Ms. Scott also drafts compliance policies and procedures for registered entities in accordance with the Commodity Exchange Act, the regulations of the CFTC and the rules of the National Futures Association (NFA). Specifically, she has been a lead drafter for compliance manuals on derivatives trading, and policies and procedures for registered entities that address NFA rule requirements and obligations.

In addition to her experience with derivatives regulatory compliance, Ms. Scott has experience with enforcement investigations and audits, including CFTC enforcement investigations, as well as involvement in investigative testimony and client preparation, NFA audits of registered entities and matters pertaining to registration disqualification.

Using her knowledge and experience with analogous derivatives regulatory matters in the U.S., Ms. Scott covers derivatives regulatory developments in Canada (federal and provincial), including issues related to reporting, margin, clearing and exemptions from dealer registration.

As a former registered lobbyist, Ms. Scott has lobbied Congress on matters regarding the reauthorization of the CFTC. She also works with clients to develop advocacy strategies, including drafting comment letters as well as providing guidance and client training on the Lobbying Disclosure Act and the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Ms. Scott worked for a global law firm in its Washington, D.C., office for nearly 9 1/2 years. In addition, she has worked for a U.S. House of Representatives member, including as a legislative assistant, and also has held several intern and law clerk positions, including at a law firm in Qatar, the CFTC, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, U.S. Department of Justice's U.S. Marshals Service, and the U.S. Department of Commerce's Foreign Commercial Service at the U.S. Embassy in Doha, Qatar.