ICAN Welcomes Acclaimed Capital Formation Expert Mark Hiraide as Senior Legal Director & Policy Counsel

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 3rd, 2025

LOS ANGELES — Investor Choice Advocates Network (ICAN) today announced that Mark T. Hiraide has joined the organization as Senior Legal Director & Policy Counsel. Hiraide, a nationally recognized expert on capital formation and business finance, brings over three decades of securities law expertise to ICAN's growing team of former SEC attorneys focused on combating regulatory overreach.

Hiraide will maintain his position as Partner at Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP while serving in this new capacity at ICAN, strengthening the organization's ability to depend on and empower small investors and entrepreneurs facing SEC regulatory challenges.

"Mark joins a distinguished team of former SEC attorneys at ICAN, further enhancing our unique perspective and expertise in securities regulation," said Nicolas Morgan, Founder and President of ICAN. "His exceptional capital formation and policy development background make him an invaluable addition to our mission of breaking down barriers to capital markets."

Hiraide's extensive policy experience extends to state-level legislation, having drafted California's seed-stage equity crowdfunding law (AB 511), which was signed into law in 2022. He has also testified before the U.S. Senate Banking Committee's Securities Subcommittee at the invitation of Chairman Jack Reed (D-RI) regarding investor risks related to the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act. 

"I'm honored to join ICAN's team of former SEC attorneys who bring insider knowledge and technical expertise to the fight against regulatory overreach," said Hiraide. "Having worked on both sides of securities regulation, I've seen firsthand how excessive restrictions can stifle innovation and limit opportunity for everyday Americans trying to access capital markets."

Before entering private practice, Hiraide served as a Branch Chief in the SEC's Division of Enforcement and as an Attorney-Advisor in the SEC's Division of Corporation Finance in Washington, DC. He was also appointed as a Special Assistant United States Attorney to prosecute a major criminal securities fraud case.

In addition to his legal practice, Hiraide has authored two publications: Thomson Reuters' treatise "Representing Start-Up Companies" and "Crowdfunding: Practical Guide to the SEC's Final Rules for Raising Capital." He also serves on the Los Angeles County Bar Association Board of Trustees and as Chairman of the CSUDH Incubator Advisory Board.

For more information about ICAN's work, visit www.icanlaw.org or contact: info@icanlaw.org

About ICAN: The Investor Choice Advocates Network (ICAN) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking down barriers to entry to capital markets and pushing back against regulatory overreach. ICAN advocates for fair and transparent regulatory practices, ensuring all individuals have equal access to investment opportunities and due process in the financial markets.

Contact Information: Investor Choice Advocates Network (ICAN) Email: info@icanlaw.org Website: www.icanlaw.org