Erica Y. Williams has been sworn to duty as Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) chair during a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) virtual swearing-in ceremony.
Williams, who joins the PCAOB from Kirkland & Ellis LLP, where she was a litigation partner, was appointed by the SEC on Nov. 8, 2021. Her initial term is slated to run through Oct. 24, 2024.
“In our dynamic and evolving capital markets, the PCAOB’s mission to protect investors and further the public interest is extremely important,” Williams said. “I am honored to take up this mission and to lead this organization’s dedicated, talented staff. Together, we have an extraordinary opportunity to build trust through robust oversight and engagement.”
Williams also previously served as Special Assistant and Associate Counsel to President Barack Obama – responsible for advising the president and senior advisors on legal and constitutional issues involving economic policy, financial regulation and reform, financial technology, trade, intellectual property, and data protection and privacy.
“On behalf of all of my PCAOB colleagues, I offer sincere thanks to Board Member (Duane) DesParte for his steady leadership as Acting Chairperson,” Williams said. “I look forward to working with Duane and my other fellow Board members as we continue the critical work of the PCAOB.”