Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is pleased to announce that George Curtis, former Deputy Director of the Division of Enforcement of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, has returned to the firm as a partner. Curtis, who left the firm in 2006 to serve as Regional Director of the SEC's Central Regional Office, was appointed as Deputy Director in 2008.
"We are delighted to have George return to the firm," said Ken Doran, Managing Partner of Gibson Dunn. “George is a superb lawyer and a wonderful colleague. He is an experienced litigator of securities and other complex cases. And given his recent experience at the SEC, he will be positioned to offer unique insights into enforcement matters and governmental investigations. Securities enforcement is an area in which we continue to see an increased need for skilled practitioners who can guide their clients through high-stakes government investigations.”
“It has been an honor to work with the Commission and its staff in their role as the investor’s advocate. My three years of public service have been both challenging and immensely satisfying. Having previously practiced with Gibson Dunn for over 30 years, I am also looking forward to returning to the firm and working again with my colleagues who represent some of the best securities lawyers in the business,” said Curtis, who will spend time in the firm’s Denver and Washington, D.C. offices.
Curtis’ return to Gibson Dunn follows last year’s arrival of Mark Schonfeld, who joined the firm after serving as Director of the SEC’s New York Regional Office.
“Our Securities Enforcement practice is robust and continues to grow with the addition of talented attorneys, like George, who have practiced in both the private and public sectors,” said Barry Goldsmith, Co-Chair of Gibson Dunn’s Securities Enforcement Group and former Executive Vice President for Enforcement at FINRA and former Chief Litigation Counsel of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement. “George rejoins a team that includes John Sturc, former Associate Director of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement, and Brian Lane, former Director of the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance. His experience will provide added depth to our abilities in this area.”
About George Curtis
Curtis was appointed Deputy Director of the SEC’s Enforcement Division in 2008, where he participated in the leadership of the SEC’s nationwide enforcement program. From 2006 to 2008, he served as Regional Director of the Central Regional office, overseeing the enforcement and examination functions in a seven-state region.
Before that, he practiced as a partner with Gibson Dunn’s Denver office as a trial lawyer with extensive experience in complex corporate, securities and accountancy matters. He joined the firm in 1976, assisted in the opening of the Denver office in 1981 and has previously served as Partner in Charge of that office. He also served a term on the firm’s Executive Committee.
As a trial lawyer, Curtis handled all aspects of complex litigation and has devoted the majority of his practice to the defense of cases involving allegations of securities law violations, professional negligence and related causes of action. In addition to extensive experience in SEC enforcement defense, Curtis has tried cases on behalf of clients in state and federal court and before administrative agencies, including the SEC. He has also advised and represented clients in the conduct of internal investigations.
Curtis received his law degree in 1976 from the University of Chicago, where he held a Russell Sage Foundation Fellowship in law and social science. He has a Ph.D. in legal history from the University of Virginia, has taught at that university and at both the University of Southern California and the University of Denver. He is a member of the Colorado and California state bars.
About Gibson Dunn’s Securities Enforcement Practice
The Securities Enforcement Group represents firms and individuals facing securities enforcement and other related regulatory investigations. The Group also conducts time-sensitive internal investigations of potential wrongdoing for clients, as well as evaluates possible claims under federal and state securities laws. The attorneys in the Group regularly represent clients before the Securities and Exchange Commission, Department of Justice, Commodities Futures Trading Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the New York Stock Exchange, state attorneys general and regulators, the United Kingdom Financial Services Authority, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and federal and state bank regulators.
The Securities Enforcement Group includes former senior enforcement staff of the SEC and FINRA and former senior DOJ prosecutors. The lawyers in the Group have represented clients in every major securities enforcement initiative undertaken by the SEC and DOJ in the last decade, including the subprime and credit crises, auction rate securities, accounting irregularities, short selling and market manipulation, options backdating, mutual fund trading, hedge fund enforcement issues, and investigations under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. With decades of experience in securities enforcement and unparalleled credibility with regulators, our attorneys are adept at counseling clients in advance of a crisis to avoid enforcement action and minimize the impact of any regulatory challenge.
The Securities Enforcement lawyers work closely with lawyers from Gibson Dunn’s Securities Regulation and Corporate Governance Groups to provide expertise regarding parallel securities regulation, corporate governance, and securities trading issues. The Enforcement Group also works closely with lawyers in our Securities Litigation, White Collar Defense and Crisis Management Groups to provide seamless and cost-effective representation meeting all client needs.