Geoffrey Aronow of Bingham to Become General Counsel at SEC

A Washington-based Bingham McCutchen partner will succeed Mark Cahn as the Securities and Exchange Commission's general counsel, the agency announced on Monday.

Geoffrey Aronow, a Bingham partner since 2008 and the head of the Enforcement Division of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission from 1995 to 1999, will become the SEC's chief legal officer later this month. Cahn left the SEC last week. The agency said in December that the former Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr partner would return to the private sector.

Aronow said in a written statement that he is "truly honored to re-enter public service" at the SEC.

"It is humbling to lead a dedicated staff of so many talented and distinguished lawyers in the Office of the General Counsel, and I look forward to working with them closely as we provide the wisest advice possible to Chairman [Elisse] Walter, the other Commissioners, and agency staff," he said.

Walter said in a written statement that Aronow has "the ideal combination of practical knowledge, expertise, and common sense" for the job.

“Geoff is a faithful steward of the securities laws with a comprehensive understanding of law enforcement who shares our commitment to excellence and passion for investor protection," Walter said.