[ by Melanie Gretchen ]

The SEC named its new director for its Division of Corporation Finance.  Keith Higgins comes to the SEC from Ropes & Gray, where he is a partner in its Boston office – and where he honed his knowledge and experience with the Commission.

Since joining Ropes & Gray in 1983, Mr. Higgins, 61, has made his name as a frequent writer and lecturer on securities law, executive compensation, and corporate governance, while serving as chair of the Federal Regulation of Securities Committee of the American Bar Association.

"During my 30 years of private practice, I have seen firsthand the talent and dedication of the staff of the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance. It is an honor for me to have the opportunity to serve as its director. The Commission has an ambitious rulemaking agenda that will be my first priority, and I look forward to continuing to move that agenda forward." -- Keith Higgins.

Starting next month, Mr. Higgins ...  will work with the Division of Corporate Finance to ensure that investors are provided with material information in order to make informed investment decisions, both when a company initially offers its securities to the public and on an ongoing basis.  The unit also also reviews filings and provides interpretive assistance help companies meet their disclosure obligations, and makes recommendations to the SEC about new rules or updates to current rules.

"Keith is a widely-respected expert on the securities laws with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the many issues confronting the Division.  He understands and appreciates the importance of our disclosure laws in helping to ensure that investors get the information they need to make informed investment decisions." -- Mary Jo White, Chair of the SEC.

Mr. Higgins received his Bachelors at Florida State (Phi Beta Kappa) and his Masters at the UVa.  He later earned his law degree (summa cum laude) from Boston University School of Law, then clerked for the Honorable Herbert Wilkins in the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts.

For further details, go to [SEC Press Release 2013-89, 5/15/13].