SEC Appoints Two New Deputy Directors to Enforcement Division

USA: SEC Names Two Deputy Directors for Enforcement Division

New Leadership Appointments

On April 2026, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission announced that Paul H. Tzur and David M. Morrell have been appointed as Deputy Directors of the Division of Enforcement, overseeing multiple regional offices across the country.

Paul H. Tzur’s Professional Background

Mr. Tzur joined the Commission on January 6, 2026, and will manage enforcement activities in the Chicago, Atlanta, and Miami offices. Prior to his SEC role, he practiced white‑collar defense and complex commercial litigation, and previously served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Illinois, where he prosecuted securities and commodities fraud. His earlier experience includes supervisory positions in the General Crimes Section and the Narcotics and Money Laundering Section, as well as a clerkship with Judge Steven M. Colloton of the Eighth Circuit. He earned a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law and a B.S. from Duke University.

David M. Morrell’s Professional Background

Mr. Morrell began his SEC tenure on January 12, 2026, overseeing enforcement in the New York, Boston, and Philadelphia offices. He returned to private practice after serving as Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the DOJ Civil Division, where he led the Federal Programs Branch and previously headed the Consumer Protection Branch. From 2017 to 2019, he worked in the White House as Special Assistant and Associate Counsel to the President. His clerkships include Justice Clarence Thomas of the U.S. Supreme Court and Chief Judge Edith H. Jones of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. He holds a J.D. from Yale University and a B.A. from Hillsdale College.

Comments from SEC Leadership

SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins praised the appointments, stating that “Paul and David are excellent attorneys and dedicated public servants” and expressing confidence that they will strengthen the division’s mission to protect investors and markets. Director Margaret A. Ryan added that the duo’s “wealth of experience as trial, litigation, and appellate lawyers” will be valuable for leading enforcement investigations and litigations.

Remarks from the Appointees

Mr. Tzur said he is “honored and thrilled to be joining the SEC” and looks forward to working with Chairman Atkins and Director Ryan to pursue “sensible enforcement actions that aim to protect investors and maintain U.S. markets as the most trusted in the world.” Mr. Morrell described his new role as “a privilege” and emphasized his commitment to advancing the division’s mission of protecting market integrity.

Implications for Enforcement Strategy

The appointments come as the SEC continues to prioritize robust enforcement across regional markets, a focus that aligns with broader efforts to safeguard investors and uphold confidence in U.S. securities laws. By placing seasoned litigators in key regional leadership positions, the agency signals its intent to maintain a proactive enforcement posture.

This report is based on information from SEC, licensed under Public Domain (U.S. Government Work). Source: Official U.S. Government release.