The SEC named David Blass as Chief Counsel and Associate Director for the its Division of Trading and Markets;  he starts in September.  In that role, Mr. Blass will provide legal and policy advice to the Commission in establishing rules on matters affecting broker-dealers and the operation of the securities markets.  He'll also issue interpretations re: matters arising under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Mr. Blass, 40, who's been with the Commission for several years, currently serves as Associate General Counsel for Legal Policy, and has had significant other experience in the Division of Trading and Markets, and the Division of Investment Management.

Prior to joining the SEC,  Mr. Blass practiced private law at Willkie Farr & Gallagher (Asset Mgmt Group), and at Davis Polk & Wardwell (securities and corporate law).

Mr. Blass, has received a number of awards during his career at the SEC.  Most recently, he received the SEC’s Law and Policy Award for his efforts on implementation of financial reform legislation, and the Chairman’s Award for Excellence for work on the Commission’s cross-divisional team that analyzed and reported on the Flash Crash of 5/6/10. 

He earned his JD from Columbia U., where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and Executive Editor of the Columbia Journal of Transnational Law.  He earned his BA, magna cum laude, from U. of Alabama.   [SEC PR 11-152, 7/21/11]