Office of the General Counsel: Attorney Positions

The General Counsel’s Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission is accepting applications for positions in its Legal Policy, Adjudication, Appellate, and General Litigation Groups.

The Legal Policy Group provides legal and policy analysis and advice to the Commission, individual Commissioners, and the Commission’s divisions and offices concerning the federal securities laws, administrative laws, and other applicable laws. The Group analyzes all enforcement and regulatory recommendations to the Commission from the operating divisions and offices and provides assistance on legislative matters.

The General Counsel's Office is accepting applications for experienced attorneys in its Legal Policy Group. Applicants should have knowledge of the statutes administered by the Commission as well as the Commission's rules, regulations and overall policies. Candidates must have a demonstrated ability to work independently to efficiently and effectively resolve complex legal issues. In addition, an applicant should have in-depth knowledge of the federal securities laws, with particular emphasis in one of the following areas:

Oversight and supervision of the U.S. securities markets (e.g., exchanges and other self regulatory organizations) and securities market participants (e.g., broker dealers).
Enforcement activities related to violations of the federal securities laws.
Corporation finance activities related to investor information and disclosure requirements.
Investment adviser regulation and regulatory policy for mutual funds and other investment companies.

Successful candidates will have a minimum of three years of experience in one or more of the areas listed above. That experience should include extensive writing on a broad range of legal advisory services on complex questions of laws. Familiarity with federal statutes relevant to agency rulemaking, including for example the Administrative Procedure Act, is also desirable.

The Adjudication Group acts as counsel to the Commission with respect to opinions and orders determining the outcome of contested appeals from decisions of administrative law judges, stock exchanges, FINRA, and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. Adjudicatory attorneys perform evidentiary review, conduct legal research, produce draft opinions, and advise the Commission on the resolution of issues raised by these appeals.

The Appellate Group represents the Commission before the United States Courts of Appeals and, with the Office of the Solicitor General, the United States Supreme Court in litigation in which the Commission is a party. The Group also represents the Commission when it participates in litigation as amicus curiae.

The General Litigation Group represents the Commission, its members, and its employees when they are parties to civil or administrative litigation arising from the performance of the Commission’s official functions. The Group also investigates and litigates cases alleging violations of Rule 102(e) by attorneys. Cases involve issues arising under a variety of federal administrative statutes, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Act, the Freedom of Information Act, and Right to Financial Privacy Act.

Applicants for any of these Groups must have excellent writing and analytical abilities, as demonstrated by past work experience, references, and scholastic achievement. Knowledge of the federal securities laws is highly desirable. If you are interested, please send an e-mail to GCResumes@sec.gov and attach: (1) a cover letter addressed to “Recruitment Coordinator, Office of the General Counsel” outlining your relevant background and experience; and (2) a current resume. Please do not submit writing samples or transcripts. An opening might not exist in every Group at this time.

The SEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks a diverse workforce.

Office of the General Counsel — Attorney Positions

Modified: 03/06/2012