Robert W. Cook Named Director of SEC Division of Trading and Markets

By U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, November 10, 2009 

Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Mary L. Schapiro announced today that Robert W. Cook has been named Director of the agency's Division of Trading and Markets.

Mr. Cook, 44, comes to the SEC from the law firm of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, where he has been a partner in the firm's Washington D.C. office since 2001. At Cleary Gottlieb, which he joined in 1992, Mr. Cook has established himself as one of the nation's leading practitioners on broker-dealer and market regulation.

"Investors will benefit greatly from the knowledge, leadership and insight that Robert will bring to the agency," said Chairman Schapiro. "Robert has an incredible grasp of the issues confronting the Division and a deep understanding of securities markets."

Mr. Cook said, "I am honored that Chairman Schapiro has given me the opportunity to join the staff of the Commission at this important time for our country's financial markets and financial regulatory system. I look forward to the privilege of working with the Chairman, the Commissioners, and the talented and dedicated staff in the Division of Trading and Markets and throughout the agency to promote the interests of investors and facilitate fair, orderly and efficient markets."

The SEC's Division of Trading and Markets establishes and maintains standards for fair, orderly, and efficient markets. The Division regulates the major securities market participants, including broker-dealers, credit rating agencies, transfer agents, and self-regulatory organizations such as stock exchanges, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and clearing agencies.

While in private practice, Mr. Cook advised clients on a wide range of matters arising under the federal securities laws, SEC regulations, and self-regulatory organization rules. His extensive experience includes working on OTC derivatives transactions, new financial products and structures, and securities trading and compliance matters. His clients have included U.S. and foreign broker-dealers, banks, exchanges, electronic trading platforms, issuers, investment funds, investment advisers, and institutional investors. He also represented various financial industry trade associations and ad hoc coalitions on regulatory initiatives affecting the securities industry generally and on developing standardized documentation and procedures for common industry transactions. Mr. Cook also has been actively involved in financial market issues involving not only the Commission, but other federal regulatory agencies as well.

Mr. Cook graduated magna cum laude with an A.B. in Social Studies in 1988 from Harvard College, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He received his Master of Science with distinction in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management from the London School of Economics in 1989. Mr. Cook received his J.D. cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1992.