The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission announced that David Woodcock has been appointed Director of the Division of Enforcement, with the role set to become effective May 4, 2026. He will succeed Sam Waldon, who will continue serving as Acting Director until that date.
Woodcock currently serves as a partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, where he chairs the firm’s Securities Enforcement Practice Group. His background includes prior service at the SEC as Director of the Fort Worth Regional Office from 2011 to 2015, where he led enforcement and examinations teams and oversaw investigations across a broad range of enforcement priorities.
During his earlier tenure at the agency, Woodcock also served on the Enforcement Advisory Committee and founded the SEC’s Financial Reporting and Audit Task Force, an initiative focused on improving detection and prosecution of accounting violations and fraudulent financial reporting.
In addition to his regulatory experience, Woodcock has held roles in private practice and industry, including serving as a senior in-house corporate attorney at Exxon Mobil Corporation. He is also an adjunct professor at Texas A&M University School of Law, where he teaches securities, ethics, and compliance.
The appointment comes as the SEC continues to emphasize investor protection and market integrity, with the Division of Enforcement comprising more than 1,000 professionals, including investigators, attorneys, and accountants.
KEY QUOTES:
“The Division of Enforcement has undergone a significant course correction, restoring Congressional intent by prioritizing cases that provide meaningful investor protection and strengthen market integrity. I thank Sam for his steadfast commitment to serve in key senior roles at the SEC and am grateful for his wise counsel and leadership.”
“I am incredibly pleased to have David rejoin the SEC at this critical time, as we continue to focus on the types of misconduct that inflict the greatest harm to investors. With experience as a senior officer at the SEC, global law firm partner, a certified public accountant, and senior in-house corporate attorney, David is a foremost expert in all relevant facets of securities law and has deep institutional knowledge. I look forward to him leading our 1,000+ team of talented enforcement investigators, trial attorneys, accountants, and other professionals.”
Paul S. Atkins, Chairman of the SEC
“I am honored to join the exceptionally talented team in the Enforcement Division and look forward to advancing our vital mission of investor protection. My commitment is to lead the division with the highest level of professionalism and rigor as we execute the Chairman’s vision and ensure the integrity of our financial markets.”
David Woodcock, Incoming Director of the SEC Division of Enforcement
