The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently appointed Judge Margaret “Meg” Ryan as Division of Enforcement director, effective Sept. 2.
Ryan teaches military law and justice at Harvard University Law School. She previously was a Notre Dame Law School visiting professor and a George Washington University Law School lecturer.
President George W. Bush nominated Ryan to the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces in 2006. The Senate confirmed her, and her term ended in July 2020. She reached senior status in August 2020.
“I am thrilled to welcome Judge Ryan to the SEC,” SEC Chairman Paul Atkins said. “She brings to the commission decades of experience as a respected judge and practitioner of the law. She is fulfilling a critical role. Judge Ryan will lead the division guided by Congress’ original intent: enforcing the securities laws, particularly as they relate to fraud and manipulation.”
Earlier in her career, Ryan was partner at two law firms, a U.S. Marine Corps judge advocate, a Marine Corps communications officer, and a law clerk to Supreme Court of the United States Associate Justice Clarence Thomas and to Judge J. Michael Luttig of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
“I look forward to joining the Commission in its important work to ensure that the Division is true to the SEC’s mission in taking action on behalf of investors harmed by those who break the securities laws and providing an effective deterrent against fraudulent and manipulative activities in our financial markets,” Ryan said.
The SEC also said Acting Director of Enforcement Sam Waldon will return to his previous role as Chief Counsel for the Division.