SEC names new general counsel

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission named Geoffrey Aronow as its chief general counsel Monday.

Aronow works for a private firm in Washington, but he has previous experience in the public sector, serving in the late 1990s as the head of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission's legal team.

"I'm truly honored to re-enter public service as the general counsel at an agency with such a storied history and critical mission of investor protection and effective market oversight," Aronow said in a statement.

The New York Times reported that Aronow currently works at a private firm in Washington representing clients who are facing regulators in legal battles. Recently, he represented the chief financial officer of MF Global's North American operations Christine Serwinski.

Aronow is also an adjunct professor at George Washington University Law School. He takes over the general counsel position from Mark Cahn, one of several top SEC officials leaving in the wake of former Chairwoman Mary Schapiro's resignation in November.