The Securities and Exchange Commission announced Thursday that David Woodcock has been appointed Director of the Division of Enforcement, effective May 4, 2026. Woodcock currently serves as a partner in the Dallas and Washington, D.C. offices of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, where he chairs the firm's Securities Enforcement Practice Group. Sam Waldon will continue to serve as Acting Director of the Enforcement Division until Woodcock's appointment takes effect. The 1,000-plus member Enforcement Division investigates securities law violations and coordinates civil enforcement actions across the agency.
Chairman Paul S. Atkins explained the reasoning behind the appointment in a press release, stating that '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.' The appointment signals continued focus on misconduct 'that inflict the greatest harm to investors,' according to Atkins. Woodcock brings experience as a senior officer at the SEC, global law firm partner, certified public accountant, and former in-house corporate attorney.
Woodcock's compensation and employment terms were not disclosed in the announcement. His appointment concludes his tenure at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher as chair of the firm's Securities Enforcement Practice Group. The firm will need to identify a replacement for his leadership role in that practice area, which typically handles regulatory enforcement matters and internal investigations for corporate clients.
This appointment carries particular significance given Woodcock's prior tenure at the SEC from 2011 to 2015, when he served as Director of the Fort Worth Regional Office. During that period, he led Enforcement and Examinations Division lawyers, accountants, and examiners, oversaw investigations in nearly every major area of the SEC's enforcement program, served on the Enforcement Advisory Committee, and created the cross-office Financial Reporting and Audit Task Force designed to enhance prosecution of accounting violations. His return represents continuity in the agency's enforcement leadership.
Chairman Atkins also acknowledged Waldon's contributions during his interim leadership, stating, '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.' Woodcock expressed similar sentiment about rejoining, saying he is 'honored to join the exceptionally talented team in the Enforcement Division and look forward to advancing our vital mission of investor protection.'
Woodcock's qualifications extend beyond his regulatory experience. He previously served as a senior in-house corporate attorney at Exxon Mobil Corporation and currently teaches securities, ethics, and compliance law as an Adjunct Professor at Texas A&M University School of Law, where he has instructed for more than a decade. His educational background includes a bachelor's degree in accounting from Louisiana State University and a JD from the University of Texas School of Law, combining technical financial expertise with legal training.
For securities practitioners and enforcement specialists, Woodcock's appointment brings someone who understands both the agency's perspective as a former senior SEC official and the defense viewpoint from his years representing corporate clients. His creation of the Financial Reporting and Audit Task Force during his prior SEC tenure suggests a continued emphasis on accounting-related enforcement actions, which have been central to recent high-profile cases involving financial statement fraud.