Jeff Lillien was born and raised in Chicago and its suburbs, where he grew up in a first-generation American household that encouraged curiosity and a strong work ethic. From a young age, he showed talent in mathematics and developed a love for problem-solving. His interest in government, financial developments, and current events was shaped early on by discussions at home. These interests naturally led him to study Economics, allowing him to combine analytical thinking with a desire to understand how social systems function.
Jeff began his academic career at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he gained valuable insights into public policy and critical thinking under the guidance of a professor who had a lasting impact on his approach to institutional systems. While at MIT, he also lived at the French House, where he became fluent in French. This experience led him to earn a translator’s certificate in commercial French from the Chamber of Commerce in Paris. With a growing interest in the connection between business and regulation, he pursued a law degree at New York University School of Law. He joined the Law Review and was later elected as an editor there. He completed his legal studies in Chicago as a visiting student at Northwestern University School of Law, which deepened his understanding of the legal structures that support commerce and technology.
Lillien entered the legal profession inspired by his family's experiences with economic and legal challenges. His career began at Mayer Brown in Chicago, where he focused on complex legal issues involving lending and securities. Over time, he became known for helping develop innovative financial products and legal frameworks. His work consistently aimed to create transparent, efficient systems suited to evolving technology. He has practiced law in Chicago and the New York City area.
Jeffrey's contributions include work on the Foreign Exchange Global Code, Treasury Markets Best Practices, and whitepapers on digital infrastructure and financial market reform. He has also supported the Regulated Settlement Network and other initiatives that apply distributed ledger technology to improve market efficiency and reduce risk. His efforts have focused on modernizing legacy systems and enabling real-time asset movement and liquidity.
Lillien is a member of multiple professional organizations, including ISDA, SIFMA, GFMA, and FMLG. He has spoken at conferences hosted by central banks and industry groups across the U.S., Europe, the U.K., and Japan. His written work, including articles and whitepapers, reflects a consistent interest in regulatory alignment and innovation in financial systems.
Jeffrey Lillien has long prioritized giving back. He began community work at MIT by tutoring middle-school students in math. His pro bono legal work has included board roles with immigrant rights and human rights organizations and advisory positions at law schools in Chicago.
