Clay Grumke

Clay Grumke is a Bates Consulting and Testifying Expert based in St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Grumke uses his expertise in Retail Securities, Regulatory Investigations and Compliance and to serve our financial services clients and their counsel.

Prior to joining Bates, Mr. Grumke was Assistant General Counsel with Wells Fargo, where he was responsible for all litigation and regulatory matters for the Wealth and Investment Management Division, which included Wells Fargo Advisors, Trust, and Retirement Services.  Mr. Grumke and his team oversaw regulatory inquiries, investigations and enforcement matters from the SEC, FINRA, OCC, FED, CFTC, and U.S. states and territories.  They also represented the firm and employees in litigation involving clients and competing firms. Additionally, his team conducted internal investigation and responded to third party subpoenas and garnishments.  Mr. Grumke provided ongoing advice to the CEOs and other leaders of the business units, including the Director of Wealth and Investment Management.  He met regularly with senior staff of various regulators to discuss cases, theories, positions and possible settlements or enforcement actions.    

Mr. Grumke spent 26 years representing A.G. Edwards and Sons, Wachovia Securities, and Wells Fargo and their employees.  He handled hundreds of internal investigations, regulatory and litigation matters, seeing over 50 arbitration matters through hearing.  As the Director of A.G. Edwards Legal Division, Mr. Grumke led his team through mergers with Wachovia and then Wells Fargo. 

Prior to joining Edwards, Mr. Grumke was a Felony Staff Attorney for the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's office, prosecuting criminal cases and trying 40 jury trials to verdict.  He has handled everything from individual customer complaints to major multi-million-dollar regulatory settlements.  Mr. Grumke is a proven problem solver, crises manager, and advocate. He received his juris doctor and bachelor's in Accountancy from the University of Missouri – Columbia.