James Burns Named Deputy Director in SEC's Division of Trading and Markets

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that James R. Burns will become a Deputy Director in the Division of Trading and Markets.

Mr. Burns will oversee several of the Division’s core regulatory functions, including market oversight and operations, derivatives policy and trading practices, and chief counsel and enforcement liaison functions. He also will contribute to the Division’s ongoing implementation of key provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. In addition, Mr. Burns will assist with the overall management of the Division, working closely with the Division’s Director Robert Cook and other Deputy Director John Ramsay.

Mr. Burns has been a member of Chairman Mary Schapiro’s staff since March 2010, most recently serving as the agency’s Deputy Chief of Staff. Mr. Burns advised the Chairman on the development and execution of the agency’s rulemaking and policy agenda as well as other key agency initiatives. He also served as counsel to Chairman Schapiro on issues involving the Division of Trading and Markets, including the agency’s analysis and response to the Flash Crash on May 6, 2010, and numerous other market structure and Dodd-Frank related rulemakings, studies, and programs.

“Jim has played an instrumental role in the implementation of the financial reform legislation and navigating through complex market structure issues,” said Chairman Schapiro. “In his new position, he will continue to help put in place the new regulatory regime governing complex derivatives as well as critical market structure improvements.”

Mr. Cook said, “At a time when the Division is taking on unprecedented challenges and new responsibilities, I am delighted that we will have the benefit of Jim’s leadership, initiative, and experience. Investors will be well-served by Jim’s dedication to the Commission’s mission and his wide-ranging knowledge of the diverse markets and intermediaries we regulate.”

Mr. Burns said, “I am honored to take on this new role. I have deep respect for Robert and the Division’s staff, who are carrying out tremendous responsibilities on behalf of our markets and investors, and I look forward to working with them to help advance the agency’s mission.”

Mr. Burns is expected to begin his new role in the Division in late May. He fills the Deputy Director position that was vacated by James Brigagliano when he left the agency for the private sector.

Prior to joining the Chairman’s staff, Mr. Burns was a counsel to Commissioner Kathleen Casey, advising her chiefly on investment management and enforcement matters. Before joining the SEC in 2008, Mr. Burns was a securities lawyer in private practice who focused on investment management and broker-dealer regulatory and enforcement matters. He previously served as a law clerk to now-chief Judge William B. Traxler on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Mr. Burns also worked at the American Council on Education and at Oriel College, Oxford University.

Mr. Burns received his JD, cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center. He holds masters and doctoral degrees from Oxford University, and graduated with an AB, magna cum laude, from Harvard College.