[ by Melanie Gretchen ]

Mary Jo White was sworn in as the 31st Chair of the SEC, shortly after the U.S. Senate - Democrats and Republicans, alike - voted overwhelmingly to send her to the SEC.  Looking back, Ms. White's journey seemed relatively short: President Obama nominated Ms. White for the SEC's top position on 2/7/13, and 2 "short" months later she was confirmed.  Senate's confirmation on 4/3/13. 

Expectations are high that Chairman White's excellent credentials as a federal prosecutor and securities lawyer will serve her well in the SEC.  As the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York from 1993 to 2002, Ms. White successfully earned convictions against terrorists responsible for the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center and the bombings of American embassies in Africa.

"It is an honor to lead the talented and dedicated SEC staff on behalf of America's investors and markets.  Our markets are the envy of the world precisely because of the SEC's work effectively regulating the markets, requiring comprehensive disclosure, and vigorously enforcing the securities laws." -- Chairman White.

Ms. White began her career at Debevoise & Plimpton in New York, rising to chair of the litigation department, in charge of 200 lawyers.  Afterward, she served as the First Assistant U.S. Attorney and later Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York from 1990 to 1993.  She received her undergraduate degree, Phi Beta Kappa, from William & Mary in 1970, and her master's degree in psychology from The New School for Social Research in 1971.  In 1974, she earned her law degree at Columbia Law School, where she was an officer of the Law Review.  In addition, she was a law clerk to the Honorable Marvin E. Frankel of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

In addition to her new role as SEC chair, she is a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International College of Trial Lawyers, and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

For further details, go to [SEC Press Release 2013-56, 4/10/13].

To contact Melanie Gretchen: melanie@compliance-insights.com.