Special Advisor and Former Deputy Director of the Division of Enforcement George Curtis Leaves SEC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2009-259

Washington, D.C., December 7, 2009 — The Securities and Exchange Commission announced today that George Curtis, Special Advisor to the Director of the Division of Enforcement, has returned to the private sector to rejoin the law firm of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher as partner.

Mr. Curtis joined the SEC staff in 2006 as the Regional Director of the SEC's Denver Regional Office after 30 years in private practice with Gibson, Dunn. He was named a Deputy Director of the Division of Enforcement in 2008, and continued in that role until becoming Special Advisor in September 2009.

"George has served the Commission with distinction during a critical time both as a regional director and as a leader of our enforcement efforts in Washington," said Robert Khuzami, Director of the SEC's Division of Enforcement. "His legal intellect and decision-making skills have been particularly valuable to the Division and the agency, and he has played a key role during the Division's period of rigorous self-assessment and rededication to our core mission of investor protection."

Mr. Curtis said, "It has been an honor to work with the Commission and its staff and to be part of their continuing effort to fulfill their role as the investor's advocate. The talent and devotion of the staff to their mission have impressed me deeply."

As Deputy Director of Enforcement from 2008-2009, a position he shared with Scott Friestad, Mr. Curtis worked closely with the staff nationwide in responding to the financial crisis, while also maintaining and expanding Enforcement's focus on preventing and punishing fraud on investors.

As the Regional Director of the SEC's Denver Regional Office, Mr. Curtis had responsibility for the staff's enforcement and examination work over a seven state region. Throughout his time with the Commission's staff, he also worked with the other Regional Directors and Senior Officers in the Division of Enforcement and with other federal regulatory authorities and state counterparts in the protection of investors.

Mr. Curtis received his B.A. degree from Fordham University in 1970, M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Virginia in 1971 and 1973 respectively, and a J.D. from the University of Chicago in 1976.

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