WilmerHale is pleased to announce that former Securities and Exchange Commission senior enforcement official Sam Waldon will join the firm as a partner in its industry leading Securities Litigation and Enforcement Group within its Securities and Financial Services Department.
Waldon, who will be based in Washington DC, served in senior leadership roles in the SEC’s Division of Enforcement across administrations of both parties, including twice as acting director of Enforcement during the current administration. Waldon worked closely with SEC Commissioners and Division leadership throughout his nearly 15-year tenure over three periods of service and as acting director managed over 1,100 staff. In addition to his time managing the Division of Enforcement as acting director and principal deputy director, Waldon also served as Enforcement’s chief counsel, advising Enforcement leadership and staff on the most consequential and complex legal issues arising under the federal securities laws. He is a principal authority on the Division's legal interpretations, enforcement policies, procedures and internal decision-making processes.
Waldon will leverage his extensive experience to advise clients on SEC regulatory and enforcement matters, internal investigations, and long-term risk mitigation through the development of enhanced compliance programs and internal controls.
“Sam’s reputation as a trusted and pragmatic advisor on the securities laws and knowlege of the inner workings of the SEC fit perfectly with our Firm’s reputation with securities industry participants,” said Anjan Sahni, WilmerHale’s managing partner.
“Few practitioners are as experienced and knowledgeable as Sam in understanding the priorities and thinking of regulators today,” said Susan Schroeder, chair of WilmerHale’s Securities and Financial Services Department. “He will be a most valuable asset to clients whether they are navigating enforcement investigations, enhancing compliance programs, or litigating securities matters.”
“I am grateful for my time at the SEC and look forward to working with the incredibly talented team at WilmerHale to help clients achieve the best results possible in complex enforcement investigations and litigation and in managing other regulatory risks,” Waldon said.
Waldon’s arrival adds to WilmerHale’s extraordinary roster of former senior government agency leaders, including from SEC, FINRA, CFTC and other regulatory bodies, alongside accomplished securities litigators, enforcement defense counsel, and regulatory and compliance practitioners. He joins a high-powered group of former leaders in securities regulation and enforcement in the firm department led by Schroeder, former head of Enforcement at FINRA.
In addition to Waldon, in the past year the firm has added Natasha Vij Greiner, former director of the SEC’s Division of Investment Management, and Jason Burt, former deputy director of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement, to its roster of securities law experts with deep SEC experience.
Waldon received his bachelor’s degree in economics from Virginia Tech and his Juris Doctor from the University of Texas School of Law.