FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                          2002-20
     
     
           SEC GENERAL COUNSEL TO LEAVE COMMISSION
     
     Washington, DC, February 5, 2002 -- The Commission
announced today that General Counsel David M. Becker will
leave the Commission to return to the private sector.
Becker came to the Commission in 1998 as deputy general
counsel and has been the agency’s chief legal officer since
January 2000.  During his tenure, he helped shape most of
the Commission’s major policy and regulatory initiatives and
counseled the Commission on virtually every matter that has
come before it.  Becker has not yet accepted another
position and will remain with the Commission for a short
period to assist with the transition to a new general
counsel.
     
     "David has been a singular force for the protection of
investors and for the rule of law,” Chairman Harvey L. Pitt
said. “Virtually every major action the Commission has taken
over the past two years bears the imprint of his
intellectual rigor and outstanding judgment.  The Commission
and the staff will miss his wise and warm counsel.  I am
profoundly sad that he is leaving.”
     
     Becker said, “I leave the Commission with the greatest
regret.   Though I had expected to leave the Commission many
months ago, Chairman Pitt’s leadership and friendship made
my decision to leave at this time especially difficult.  It
has been a privilege to play a role in protecting investors
and a joy to work with dedicated and talented colleagues in
the Office of General Counsel and throughout the Commission
staff.  I owe particular thanks to Chairmen Pitt, Unger, and
Levitt and the Commissioners under whom I’ve served.  I will
be forever grateful for their confidence, leadership, and
support.”
     
     Becker joined the Commission in October 1998, from the
law firm of Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering, where he was a
partner.  Becker began his legal career as law clerk to
Judge Harold Leventhal of the Court of Appeals for the
District of Columbia and for Associate Justice (Retired)
Stanley Reed of the Supreme Court.  He is a graduate of
Columbia College and Columbia Law School, where he was
editor-in-chief of the Columbia Law Review.


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