About Charles Douyon
Charles Douyon is a legal and compliance professional with over 12 years of experience in financial regulations. He was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and later moved to Long Island for high school. After graduating magna cum laude from Berkeley College in Business Management and Finance, he went on to earn his law degree from Northwestern University. Charles has worked in various legal and compliance roles, advising investment firms on managing tough regulations.
Early Life and Education
Charles Douyon was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. When he reached high school, his family decided to move to Long Island. During his time in high school, Charles’s passion for sports grew. He played basketball and football and was a well-rounded athlete.
After high school, Charles decided to pursue higher education at Northeastern University in Boston. However, shortly after beginning his college studies, Charles transferred to Berkeley College in New York. The tragic events of September 11, 2001, led him to reconsider his priorities, and being closer to family seemed important during such a difficult time. He continued pursuing his major in Business Management and Finance at Berkeley College. In 2005, Charles graduated magna cum laude, marking the beginning of a successful career in both business and law.
Wall Street and Transition to Law School
Following his graduation, Charles ventured into finance, landing a position at a financial institution on Wall Street. The experience of working in such a high-pressure environment was eye-opening. Charles learned valuable skills in finance, investment strategies, and business operations. However, after a few years, Charles realized his interests were shifting. While he enjoyed working in finance, he felt drawn to the legal aspects of the industry.
In 2007, Charles decided to make a significant career shift. He left his position on Wall Street and enrolled at Northwestern University School of Law to pursue a law degree. Law school was a new challenge for Charles, requiring him to adopt a different way of thinking and problem-solving. His experience in both finance and business management helped him see financial law from a different angle and made it easier for him to tackle its complexities.
Charles graduated from Northwestern University School of Law in 2010, just as the world grappled with the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis. This graduation was significant because it meant that Charles entered the legal profession at a time when financial regulations and laws were undergoing significant changes.
Pursuing Advanced Legal Education
Even though Charles had a law degree, he knew that financial law was always changing. To stay ahead of the curve, he decided to continue his education by enrolling in an LLM (Master of Laws) program at Fordham University Law School. This degree focused on Corporate, Banking, and Finance Law, areas that were directly related to his previous work in finance and his new legal career.
During his time at Fordham, Charles took on internships at regulatory bodies such as the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) and FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority). These internships allowed him to gain hands-on experience in financial regulation and compliance.
Professional Career in Legal and Compliance Roles
Charles’s career took shape in the legal and compliance fields, where he spent over a decade perfecting his expertise in financial regulations. His experience included various legal areas, including statutes governing the financial services industry, such as Dodd-Frank, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1933 and 1934. Charles became highly knowledgeable in the complexities of these laws, which regulate everything from securities trading to investment management.
Charles worked in different legal and compliance roles throughout his career, advising investment management firms and supporting trading desks. His ability to handle legal frameworks and his knowledge of financial regulations made him someone everyone wanted to work with. His work helped financial firms stay compliant with the rules, which was critical to their success and longevity.
Charles’s expertise eventually led to leadership positions, including the Director of Compliance position at a prominent investment firm. He oversaw compliance programs in this role, ensuring the firm’s operations adhered to relevant laws and regulations. His leadership helped the firm maintain its reputation and avoid legal pitfalls, cementing his position as a respected legal and compliance figure.
Hobbies and Personal Life
Despite his busy professional life, Charles always finds time for his interests and hobbies. He remains passionate about sports, particularly basketball and football, which he plays recreationally and competitively.
Charles has also developed a love for endurance sports over the years. In 2015, he completed the Chicago Marathon. He has also participated in several half-marathons, including the Brooklyn Half Marathon, and completed a 50-mile bike ride in Park City, Utah, in 2018.
In addition to sports, Charles enjoys traveling and exploring new cultures. Traveling has become a way for him to unwind and expand his worldview. He is also a fan of live music, attending concerts to relax and enjoy the creative expressions of others. When it comes to food, Charles has a special fondness for Chinese cuisine, which he enjoys both at home and during his travels.
