Michael Liftik Named SEC Deputy Chief of Staff

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Michael Liftik will become a deputy chief of staff of the agency.

Mr. Liftik became Senior Advisor to Chair Mary Jo White in April 2013, serving as the Chair’s legal advisor on enforcement policy matters and cases.  He also serves as the Chair’s representative on the Deputies Committee of the Financial Stability Oversight Council. 

In his legal advisor role, Mr. Liftik has worked with SEC staff and with senior officials from the Department of Treasury, Federal Reserve Board, and other financial regulators on identifying and addressing developments in the financial sector involving the asset management industry, cybersecurity, and macroeconomic trends.

“I have relied on Michael’s securities law expertise and sound judgment and look forward to continuing to benefit from his advice and counsel in his new role as deputy chief of staff,” said SEC Chair Mary Jo White.

Mr. Liftik said, “It has been a tremendous honor to serve on Chair White’s staff and I am humbled by the opportunity to continue serving the Commission in this new role.  I look forward to working with the talented and hardworking staff across the agency to fulfill our mission to protect investors and our markets.”

Mr. Liftik replaces Erica Williams and joins Nathaniel Stankard, who serves as the other deputy chief of staff of the agency.

Prior to his service in the Chair’s office, Mr. Liftik was Counsel to the Director of the Division of Enforcement from May 2012 to April 2013.  He began his career at the SEC in San Francisco in November 2007 as an Enforcement Division staff attorney where he investigated and litigated a wide range of securities law violations, including bringing charges against private investment fund managers and others arising out of an investigation into secondary market trading in pre-IPO companies and conducting an inquiry into potential Regulation FD violations stemming from the use of social media.

Previously, Mr. Liftik practiced law at firms in San Francisco and Boston where his work focused on securities litigation and white-collar crime.  He also clerked for the Honorable Denise R. Johnson of the Vermont Supreme Court.

Mr. Liftik received his law degree, cum laude, from Harvard Law School and his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from Harvard College.