Washington, D.C., Feb. 4, 2011 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Mark D. Cahn has been promoted to General Counsel in the SEC's Office of the General Counsel. He will assume his new role when David M. Becker steps down from the position later this month.
Since March 2009, Mr. Cahn has served as Deputy General Counsel for Litigation and Adjudication, and has counseled the Commission on a wide variety of litigation, appellate and enforcement matters and played a key role in regulatory initiatives.
"Over the past two years, Mark has shown a tremendous grasp of securities law as well as incredible judgment on a range of issues," said SEC Chairman Mary L. Schapiro. "He is well-positioned to help the agency evolve and keep pace with the ever-changing markets."
Mr. Cahn said, "It has been a particular honor to work alongside David and the talented and dedicated staff of the General Counsel's office these past two years. It is a privilege to work at the SEC, and I look forward to continuing to serve a Chairman and a Commission so committed to protecting investors."
From 1988 until joining the SEC staff, Mr. Cahn, 49, worked at the law firm of WilmerHale LLP, where he was a partner in the firm's Securities Litigation and Enforcement Practice. Prior to joining WilmerHale, Mr. Cahn clerked for the Honorable John J. Gibbons, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and for the Honorable Herbert J. Stern, U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. He earned his JD in 1986 from Yale Law School, and his BA, summa cum laude, from Tufts University in 1983.
# # #