Mr. Clayton has considered at least two well-known defense attorneys for enforcement director, typically the SEC’s highest-profile staff position.
The lawyers include Steven Peikin, a former prosecutor who works with Mr. Clayton at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. Mr. Peikin represented Goldman Sachs Group Inc. in its dealings with prosecutors and SEC lawyers over claims a former member of its board, Rajat Gupta, had leaked inside information to a hedge-fund manager.
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Another candidate for the top enforcement job is Matthew Martens, a partner at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, who was the SEC’s top trial attorney from 2010 to 2013.
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The SEC’s acting director of enforcement, Stephanie Avakian, also has been considered for the permanent role. Ms. Avakian joined the SEC in 2014 and was previously a partner at Wilmer Hale.
via Trump Pick for SEC Chairman Assembling Top Agency Staff – WSJ
