The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) announced
today Mary Jo White was sworn in as its 31st Chair. Chairman White comes to the SEC after having
spent years prosecuting securities and financial institution frauds and
international terrorism cases as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New
York from 1992 to 2002. Afterwards, she
was a partner at the law firm of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP in New York.
“It is an honor to lead the talented and dedicated SEC staff
on behalf of America’s investors and markets,” stated Chairman White. “Our markets are the envy of the world
precisely because of the SEC’s work effectively regulating the markets,
requiring comprehensive disclosure, and vigorously enforcing the securities
laws.”
Chairman White’s predecessor, Mary Schapiro, served as SEC
Chairman during a turbulent time, beginning in early 2009. It remains to be seen if Chairman White while
use her prosecutorial past as a means to further reshape and enforce U.S.
securities law.
