The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Heather Seidel has been named Chief Counsel for the SEC’s Division of Trading and Markets.  Ms. Seidel, an Associate Director in the division’s Office of Market Supervision, will begin her new role immediately. 

The division’s Office of Chief Counsel provides legal and policy advice to the Commission on matters affecting broker-dealers and securities markets.  It also issues interpretations on matters arising under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and manages the division’s enforcement liaison functions.

“Heather brings a great deal of experience into her new position. Her participation in regulatory initiatives within Trading and Markets and the Commission more broadly gives her valuable insight and allows her to lead critical functional areas, including recent market structure initiatives in support of Division and Commission objectives,” said Division of Trading and Markets Director Stephen Luparello.

Ms. Seidel said, "I am honored to take on this new role and I look forward to continuing to work alongside my talented and dedicated colleagues in the Division of Trading and Markets and throughout the Commission on matters critical to the protection of investors and the public interest."

As Associate Director in the Office of Market Supervision, Ms. Seidel oversaw securities market operation and structure, with a focus on the options markets and other listed derivative instruments.  Before assuming that position in October 2010, she worked in the division as an Assistant Director, Senior Special Counsel, and Attorney Fellow.  

Ms. Seidel began her securities law career at the SEC in 1996 in what was then the Division of Market Regulation and later moved to the Division of Investment Management.  She later spent several years in the private sector, starting in 1999 as an associate at the law firm of Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering and in 2001 as an associate and vice president in the law division of Morgan Stanley.  She returned to the SEC in 2003 and in 2006 she received the SEC's Jay Manning Award, which is given annually to an employee in the Division of Trading and Markets who demonstrates an outstanding commitment to excellence in preserving fair and honest markets.

Ms. Seidel received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut in 1992 and her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 1995.