SEC Announces Appointment Of New General Counsel

by Glen Shapiro, LawAndTax-News.com, New York

05 January 2006

The US Securities and Exchange Commission announced on Tuesday that top securities lawyer and former astrophysicist Brian G. Cartwright will be joining the regulator as its General Counsel.

Mr. Cartwright will succeed Giovanni Prezioso, who was appointed in April 2002. Mr. Prezioso announced last November that he intends to return to the private sector early this year.

"As the top lawyer for the SEC -- the investor's advocate - - the General Counsel is also the nation's foremost legal advocate for investors," Chairman of the SEC, Christopher Cox explained.

Mr. Cartwright is a partner in the international law firm of Latham & Watkins, and one of the nation's foremost securities law practitioners. He also brings significant managerial experience to the 3,800-employee SEC. Among other management positions at Latham & Watkins, Mr. Cartwright served as Global Chair of the firm's practice representing public companies. As a member of the firm's Executive Committee, he was one of five partners responsible for the management of the firm as a whole.

"I look forward to working with Chairman Cox to make sure investors are getting the complete, clear and comprehensible information they need to make prudent investment decisions - whenever possible in a convenient and user-friendly form over the internet," he announced.

Mr. Cartwright will join the Commission on Jan. 23, 2006, and will work closely with the departing General Counsel to ensure a seamless transition.

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