THERE IS HOPE….
Washington, D.C., May 17, 2012 – The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Erica Williams will become the agency’s Deputy Chief of Staff.
Ms. Williams has been a member of Chairman Schapiro’s staff since February 2011, primarily focusing on enforcement and regulatory issues. Prior to that, Ms. Williams served as assistant chief litigation counsel in the Enforcement Division’s trial unit for seven years, leading trial teams in a host of successful prosecutions.
“Erica is well-steeped in the securities laws and has a true grasp of the intricacies of the agency,” said Chairman Schapiro. “She also fully embraces the agency’s mission and I am thrilled that she is willing to take on this new responsibility.”
Ms. Williams said, “This is an incredible opportunity that allows me to continue protecting investors and ensuring our markets operate fairly and efficiently.”
Ms. Williams replaces James R. Burns, who will become the Deputy Director of the Division of Trading and Markets.
In 2009, Ms. Williams was selected by U.S. Senator Ted Kaufman as Federal Employee of the Week. Before coming to the SEC, Ms. Williams was a commercial litigator in private practice.
Ms. Williams received her law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia. Washington, D.C., May 17, 2012 – The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that James R. Burns will become a Deputy Director in the Division of Trading and Markets.
Mr. Burns will oversee several of the Division’s core regulatory functions, including market oversight and operations, derivatives policy and trading practices, and chief counsel and enforcement liaison functions. He also will contribute to the Division’s ongoing implementation of key provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. In addition, Mr. Burns will assist with the overall management of the Division, working closely with the Division’s Director Robert Cook and other Deputy Director John Ramsay.
Mr. Burns has been a member of Chairman Mary Schapiro’s staff since March 2010, most recently serving as the agency’s Deputy Chief of Staff. Mr. Burns advised the Chairman on the development and execution of the agency’s rulemaking and policy agenda as well as other key agency initiatives. He also served as counsel to Chairman Schapiro on issues involving the Division of Trading and Markets, including the agency’s analysis and response to the Flash Crash on May 6, 2010, and numerous other market structure and Dodd-Frank related rulemakings, studies, and programs.
“Jim has played an instrumental role in the implementation of the financial reform legislation and navigating through complex market structure issues,” said Chairman Schapiro. “In his new position, he will continue to help put in place the new regulatory regime governing complex derivatives as well as critical market structure improvements.”
Mr. Cook said, “At a time when the Division is taking on unprecedented challenges and new responsibilities, I am delighted that we will have the benefit of Jim’s leadership, initiative, and experience. Investors will be well-served by Jim’s dedication to the Commission’s mission and his wide-ranging knowledge of the diverse markets and intermediaries we regulate.”
Mr. Burns said, “I am honored to take on this new role. I have deep respect for Robert and the Division’s staff, who are carrying out tremendous responsibilities on behalf of our markets and investors, and I look forward to working with them to help advance the agency’s mission.”
Mr. Burns is expected to begin his new role in the Division in late May. He fills the Deputy Director position that was vacated by James Brigagliano when he left the agency for the private sector.
Prior to joining the Chairman’s staff, Mr. Burns was a counsel to Commissioner Kathleen Casey, advising her chiefly on investment management and enforcement matters. Before joining the SEC in 2008, Mr. Burns was a securities lawyer in private practice who focused on investment management and broker-dealer regulatory and enforcement matters. He previously served as a law clerk to now-chief Judge William B. Traxler on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and also worked at Oriel College, Oxford University.
Mr. Burns received his JD, cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center. He holds masters and doctoral degrees from Oxford University, and graduated with an AB, magna cum laude, from Harvard College.
We see this step as a critical decision at a maximum time of opportunity for the world regulatory sanity.
Berny Dohrmann – Chairman www.ceospaceinc.com
PS: My Daughter graduated from Georgetown and went to work at State – her step father served on the Board of Georgetown – we applaud the family….
{ 0 comments }
