Washington, D.C., March 16, 2009 — Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Mary L. Schapiro announced today that Julie Zelman Davis has been named Deputy Director of the agency's Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, where she will serve as a key liaison between the Commission and Congress.
Ms. Davis comes to the SEC from the staff of U.S. Senator Carl Levin of Michigan, where for the past several years she has advised the Senator on financial legislative matters including securities. Ms. Davis began working at the SEC today, replacing Peter Kiernan who recently retired from the Deputy Director position.
"Julie will play a key role in our efforts with Congress to establish the SEC's priorities, needs, and initiatives as we work together to restore investor confidence and reform the financial regulatory system," said Chairman Schapiro. "Julie has an ideal combination of government and legal experience, and the Commission will benefit a great deal from her extensive knowledge of both the legislative process and the securities laws."
Ms. Davis said, "I have a long-held respect for the work of the SEC, and I am honored for the opportunity to work with Chairman Schapiro, the Commission, and its staff in advancing the goals of investor protection and restoring market confidence as the Administration and Congress examine the challenges facing the financial regulatory system."
The SEC's Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs carefully monitors ongoing legislative activities and initiatives on Capitol Hill that affect the Commission and its mission, and works with Members of Congress and their staffs to achieve legislative policy goals.
Ms. Davis has worked for Senator Levin since 2003, serving as a Legislative Counsel for financial services and other issues and working closely with the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations that is chaired by the Senator. The subcommittee is part of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Ms. Davis previously was Legislative Counsel for U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett of Texas. From 1999 to 2002, she was an Associate in the Business Practices Group of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault LLP in Boston, where among other things she handled SEC filings for public companies, represented underwriters in initial public offerings, and negotiated stock purchase agreements.
Ms. Davis earned her B.A. in Government from the University of Texas at Austin in 1995, and earned her J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law in 1999.
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