FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2015-232
Washington D.C., Oct. 5, 2015 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Erica Williams will be leaving the SEC after serving as deputy chief of staff to three Chairs, Mary Jo White, Elisse B. Walter, and Mary L. Schapiro.
As Chair White's deputy chief of staff, Ms. Williams served as a senior legal advisor to the Chair on all aspects of the SEC's operations, including enforcement, regulatory policy, compliance exams, strategy, and management of the agency. She also served as the Chair's representative to the Financial Stability Oversight Board, which oversees the operation of the troubled asset relief program (TARP).
Ms. Williams joined the Chair's staff in February 2011 as enforcement counsel and became deputy chief of staff in May 2012.
She began her career at the SEC in February 2004 in the Enforcement Division's trial unit where she served as assistant chief litigation counsel. During that time, Ms. Williams led a number of successful prosecutions throughout the country, including cases involving insider trading, accounting fraud, violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and fraudulent financial reporting. She was recognized by former Senator Ted Kaufman as Federal Employee of the Week for obtaining a favorable jury verdict in SEC v. Nothern.
"Erica's deep knowledge of the agency and her securities law expertise have been a tremendous asset to me and to the entire agency," said SEC Chair Mary Jo White. "I truly value her steadfast commitment to the SEC's mission, her great professionalism and judgment."
Ms. Williams said, "It has been an absolute pleasure and honor to serve three Chairs and to work alongside the talented and dedicated women and men of the SEC on behalf of America's investors and our markets."
Before coming to the SEC, Ms. Williams was a commercial litigator in private practice.
Ms. Williams received her law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. She holds a bachelor's degree with distinction from the University of Virginia