Steptoe & Johnson has lured into private practice a lawyer from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission who was at the forefront of the country's cryptocurrency regulation development.

Coy Garrison, who spent more than years at the securities watchdog, has joined Steptoe as a partner in the firm's blockchain and cryptocurrency, and financial services practices, in its Washington, D.C., office. He served for the past two years as counsel to Commissioner Hester Peirce—who is often referred to as "Crypto Mom" for her support of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies.