Washington, D.C., May 7, 2008 — Alexander F. Cohen, the current Deputy General Counsel for Legal Policy and Administrative Practice in the Securities and Exchange Commission's Office of the General Counsel, will be appointed the SEC's Deputy Chief of Staff effective May 9, 2008.
Mr. Cohen, 47, will replace Michael J. Halloran. As Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Cohen will assist SEC Chairman Christopher Cox in development and execution of the Commission's program to promote investor protection, healthy markets, and capital formation. He also will serve as a liaison to Commissioners and senior agency staff on rulemaking, policy, and enforcement matters. In his role as Deputy General Counsel for Legal Policy and Administrative Practice, Mr. Cohen was involved in development and review of the entirety of the Commission's regulatory program.
"I am pleased to welcome Alex Cohen to this important role," Chairman Cox said. "During his tenure at the Commission, Alex has impressed me and all his colleagues at the agency with his sound judgment, keen understanding of securities law, and above all his unwavering commitment to investor protection."
Mr. Cohen said, "I am honored to be asked by Chairman Cox to take on these new responsibilities. The SEC's mission of protecting investors, maintaining healthy financial markets, and facilitating capital formation is more critical than ever. I am excited about this new role, and look forward to the challenges that lie ahead."
Prior to joining the SEC in 2006 as Deputy General Counsel, Mr. Cohen was a partner in the international law firm of Latham & Watkins LLP, and co-chair of the firm's Corporate Finance Practice Group. Mr. Cohen earned his J.D. from Yale University in 1988, and served as law clerk to the Hon. Wilfred Feinberg of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit from 1989 to 1990. He received his M.A. in International Relations from Yale University in 1985, and his B.A. cum laude in Political Science from Yale in 1982.
http://www.sec.gov/news/press/2008/2008-55.htm