The Securities and Exchange Commission announced Tuesday that Anne Small, President Barack Obama’s special assistant and associate counsel, has been named general counsel of the agency.
Small, who has been serving in the White House Counsel’s Office since October 2011, has advised Obama on legal policy questions with a focus on economic issues.
Small previously worked at the SEC as deputy general counsel for litigation and adjudication, helping to oversee enforcement matters, appellate cases and adjudications.
Small, the first woman to be named general counsel of the SEC, is expected to arrive at the agency soon, the SEC says, and will succeed Geoffrey Aronow, who will become a senior counsel to SEC Chairwoman Mary Jo White.
“I’m delighted that Annie will be returning to the agency at a time when our rule writing is in full swing and our enforcement program continues to pursue cases involving some of the most complex transactions,” said White, in a statement. “The commission will benefit from her experience, judgment and tremendous talent.”