FINRA Names Brad Bennett as Head of Enforcement Division

Bennett is currently a partner at the Baker Botts law firm in Washington, D.C., and will start at FINRA on January 1, 2011.  He will take over from James Shorris, who has been the interim Chief of Enforcement since Susan Merrill left the organization last March. 

“Brad will bring extensive knowledge and experience in dealing with violations of securities rules to FINRA at this critical time,” said Richard Ketchum, Chairman and CEO of FINRA.  “It is imperative that FINRA aggressively deal with wrongdoing in the industry to help rebuild investor trust and confidence in the markets.” 

At FINRA, Bennett will be responsible for the management of approximately 300 enforcement staff in 17 offices across the United States and report to FINRA Vice Chairman Stephen Luparello. 

Bennett has been at Baker Botts since 2001, where he specializes in financial and securities law violations. Before joining Baker Botts, he was an attorney at Miller, Cassidy, Larocca & Lewin. He started his career at the Securities and Exchange Commission as a senior attorney in the Division of Enforcement.  He is an adjunct professor of securities regulation at Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law.