The Securities and Exchange Commission said Wednesday that David Woodcock has been named director of the Division of Enforcement, effective May 4.

Woodcock is currently a partner in the Dallas and Washington, D.C., offices of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, where he serves as chair of the firm's Securities Enforcement Practice Group.

Sam Waldon will continue to serve as acting director of the Enforcement Division until May 4. Waldon was named acting director after Judge Margaret Ryan resigned in mid-March from her role as director of the Division of Enforcement after six months on the job.

"The Division of Enforcement has undergone a significant course correction, restoring Congressional intent by prioritizing cases that provide meaningful investor protection and strengthen market integrity," said SEC Chairman Paul Atkins in a statement. "I thank Sam for his steadfast commitment to serve in key senior roles at the SEC and am grateful for his wise counsel and leadership."

Added Atkins: "With experience as a senior officer at the SEC, global law firm partner, a certified public accountant, and senior in-house corporate attorney, David is a foremost expert in all relevant facets of securities law and has deep institutional knowledge. I look forward to him leading our 1,000+ team of talented enforcement investigators, trial attorneys, accountants, and other professionals."

Woodcock noted in a statement that his "commitment is to lead the division with the highest level of professionalism and rigor as we execute the chairman's vision and ensure the integrity of our financial markets."

Most recently, Woodcock's practice at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher focused on regulatory enforcement, internal investigations and corporate governance. Previously, he served as a senior in-house corporate attorney at Exxon Mobil Corp and as director of the SEC's Fort Worth Regional Office (2011 to 2015).

Woodcock is also an adjunct professor of law at the Texas A&M University School of Law, where he has taught for more than a decade on securities, ethics, and compliance.

He earned his bachelor's degree in accounting from Louisiana State University, and his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law.

Credit: Diego Radzinschi/ALM

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