Joseph Antonakakis

Joseph C. Antonakakis is an Associate and member of the Investment Management & Securities practice. He concentrates his practice on investment-related matters, including initial investment adviser registration (SEC and state), regulatory examination and enforcement matters, and outsourced compliance assistance for investment advisers, financial planners, broker-dealers, and public and private investment companies throughout the United States.

Joseph’s areas of expertise include implementing SEC, Department of Labor, and ERISA rules, completing mock regulatory audits for RIAs across the United States, and ensuring the compliant inclusion of Bitcoin in advisory portfolios.

Joseph was introduced to Stark & Stark in 2019 when he served as a Summer Associate before his final year at Rutgers Law School. Prior to joining Stark & Stark in 2021, Joseph served as a law clerk for the Honorable Michael J. Kassel, J.S.C. in the Camden County Superior Court. He is fluent in Greek.

Bar/Court Admissions

New Jersey
New York
Supreme Court of the U.S.

Education

J.D., Rutgers Law School, 2020
B.A., Rutgers University, 2016

Thought Leadership

Presenter, RIA Tech Trends – Compliance Implications for Use of AI, Bitcoin, and Electronic Communications. NAAIM Uncommon Knowledge Conference. April 27, 2026.
Panelist, Artificial Intelligence Under the Microscope: Emerging Securities Enforcement Risks for Public Companies and Registered Investment Advisers. Garden State Bar Association Corporate Counsel Forum. March 10, 2026.
Presenter, Compliance Checklist for Success: Third Party Vendor Due Diligence. RIA Compliance and Legal Strategies Conference. December 4, 2025.
Presenter, Tech Trends: Bitcoin, AI, & Electronic Communication. RIA Compliance and Legal Strategies Conference. December 4, 2025.
Presenter, Examination Evolution: A Fresh Look at SEC Exam Trends and Insights. National Association of Active Investment Managers (NAAIM) Outlook Conference. October 29, 2024.
Presenter, Compliance & Legal Issues Surrounding Your Tech Stack. Bob Veres’ Insider Forum. September 23, 2025.
Presenter, Promoting Your RIA Compliantly Under the SEC Marketing Rule Using Rankings, Testimonials, and Endorsements. Kitces IAR Ethics CE Day 2025. August 28, 2025.
Co-Author, 4 Key Issues of the SEC Marketing Rule. NAPFA Advisor Magazine. May 2025.
Featured, SEC rules RIAs need to keep in mind in 2025. January 21, 2025.
Presenter, Adviser Armor: Detecting and Preventing Financial Exploitation and Mastering Powers of Attorney. RIA Compliance and Legal Strategies Conference. September 24, 2024.
Presenter, Basic Blocking and Tackling: The RIA Playbook for Daily, Monthly, Quarterly, and Annual Compliance Tasks. RIA Compliance and Legal Strategies Conference. September 24, 2024.
Presenter, From Compliance to Creativity: Balancing Marketing Rule Compliance and Innovative Marketing. RIA Compliance and Legal Strategies Conference. September 24, 2024.
Presenter, Cybersecurity Pitfalls: New Cybersecurity Rules, Proper Use of AI, and a State of the Industry Surrounding a Spot Bitcoin ETF. RIA Compliance and Legal Strategies Conference. November 9, 2023.
Presenter, Compliance and Disclosures: Highlighting the Importance of Properly Drafted ADV, Agreements, and Policies. RIA Compliance and Legal Strategies Conference. November 9, 2023.
Presenter, Preparing for Your DOL Rollover Audit. RIA Compliance and Legal Strategies Conference. June 1, 2023.
Presenter, Cybersecurity Pitfalls: Do You Have a Plan in Place? RIA Compliance and Legal Strategies Conference. June 1, 2023.
Presenter, Five Critical Compliance Areas. National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) Webinar. February 16, 2023.

Honors & Awards

New Jersey Super Lawyers Rising Stars List issued by Thomson Reuters (Methodology)
- 2024 – 2027

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Community Organizations

Hellenic University Club of Philadelphia, President