Washington, D.C., Nov. 10, 2010 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Joseph K. Brenner has been selected as Chief Counsel of the Division of Enforcement, a role in which he will oversee the process of providing legal and policy advice on potential enforcement actions before they are recommended to the Commission for approval.
Mr. Brenner joins the SEC from Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, where he has been a partner since 1990. Mr. Brenner most recently served as Vice Chair of the firm's Securities Department and as a member of the Securities Litigation and Enforcement Practice Group.
"Joe is a highly-accomplished attorney who will bring a deep expertise and a practical perspective to the many legal and policy issues facing the Enforcement Division," said Robert Khuzami, Director of the SEC's Division of Enforcement. "We could not be more pleased that he has chosen to join the Division, and we look forward to his counsel and help as the Division moves forward on its many initiatives to better realize its mission of investor protection."
Mr. Brenner said, "I am greatly honored to join the Enforcement Division at this important time. I look forward to working with the dedicated professionals of the enforcement staff to carry out the SEC's crucial mission of protecting investors and safeguarding the financial markets."
Mr. Brenner is filling the Chief Counsel position previously held by Joan McKown, who left the agency in August after 24 years of service. He is expected to begin his new role sometime in the next several weeks.
At WilmerHale, Mr. Brenner's focus was securities enforcement, internal corporate investigations, and related civil and criminal litigation. He has more than 20 years of experience in representing public corporations, financial institutions, professional service partnerships, investment managers, and individuals in investigations and enforcement proceedings by the SEC, FINRA, and PCAOB, and related federal criminal and civil litigation involving insider trading, accounting, financial reporting, and disclosures. In addition, Mr. Brenner has led and participated in many audit committee, special committee, and other internal corporate investigations.
Prior to joining WilmerHale, Mr. Brenner was a law clerk for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Mr. Brenner received his JD cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center and his undergraduate degree from Cornell University.
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