The Securities and Exchange Commission today named Walter E. Jospin as Regional Director of its Atlanta office, where he will oversee enforcement and examinations in a region covering five states.

Mr. Jospin joins the SEC from the law firm of Paul Hastings LLP, where he is a partner in the Atlanta office with a practice focusing on securities enforcement, internal investigations, corporate transactions, and corporate governance. Mr. Jospin previously worked in the SEC Enforcement Division from 1980 to 1983 in the Atlanta office, where he handled investigations and litigations involving accounting and financial fraud, disclosure violations, insider trading, and other areas.

“Walter is known for his deep experience with the securities laws and his ability to cut through complex problems to forge consensus and creative solutions,” said Andrew J. Ceresney, Director of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement. “I am pleased that he will be adding his considerable talents and energy to our excellent enforcement program in Atlanta.”

“Walter adds an incredible amount of experience and perspective to our examination program,” said Andrew J. Bowden, Director of the SEC’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (OCIE). “We are thrilled to add him to our team.”

Mr. Jospin said, “It is an honor and pleasure to rejoin the Atlanta Regional Office. I have seen firsthand the extraordinary talent and dedication among the lawyers, accountants, and examiners in the office, and I look forward to working with them to further the SEC’s mission of investor protection and ensuring fair and orderly markets.”

Mr. Jospin graduated from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and from the Emory University School of Law. He will join the agency in February.

Mr. Jospin succeeds Rhea Kemble Dignam, who has accepted a position as the OCIE National Exam Program’s senior counsel. Liban Jama, who was previously announced to succeed Ms. Dignam, will not be taking the position for personal reasons.