January 7, 2013

REGULATORY ACTIVITY

SEC NEWS AND SPEECHES-SEC Announces Appointment of Geoffrey Aronow as General Counsel

By Matthew Garza, J.D.

SEC Chair Elisse Walter has appointed Geoffrey F. Aronow to replace Mark Cahn as the Securities and Exchange Commission's General Counsel. The departure of Mr. Cahn, who has served since February 2011, was announced on December 5, 2012. In his time as head of the Office of the General Counsel, Mr. Cahn helped to establish the SEC's whistleblower program, advised on Dodd-Frank rulemaking, and was involved as amicus in Supreme Court cases Jones v. Harris Associates, Merck & Co., Inc. v. Reynolds, Matrixx Initiatives v. Siracusano, and Erica P. John Fund v. Halliburton.

Mr. Aronow comes from the Washington D.C. offices of Bingham McCutchen LLP and formerly served as Director of the Division of Enforcement at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission for nearly four years. He has also been a partner at the law firms of Arnold & Porter LLP and Heller Ehrman LLP. Mr. Aronow has taught a seminar on futures and derivatives law at George Washington University Law School since 2010 and was previously an adjunct professor at Catholic University's Columbus School of Law.

"Geoff brings the ideal combination of practical knowledge, expertise, and common sense that is so critical to addressing the often nuanced and difficult issues that come before the Commission," said Chairman Walter. "Geoff is a faithful steward of the securities laws with a comprehensive understanding of law enforcement who shares our commitment to excellence and passion for investor protection."

RegulatoryActivity: SECNewsSpeeches