Any insight on life at the SEC right now? Forum

[breadlaw]

Curious to hear what people think about how things are at the SEC currently, as I’ve noticed a few divisions, like IM and CF, are continuously hiring. Is it a 9-5, or are the hours closer to biglaw? Is Enforcement any different? Have the high ranking departures shifted the culture at all? Interested to hear from current/recently departed SEC attorneys.

[Anonymous User]

Curious to hear what people think about how things are at the SEC currently, as I’ve noticed a few divisions, like IM and CF, are continuously hiring. Is it a 9-5, or are the hours closer to biglaw? Is Enforcement any different? Have the high ranking departures shifted the culture at all? Interested to hear from current/recently departed SEC attorneys.

This is kind of like asking how life is at the DOJ or (insert name of large law firm) right now, work/life/culture are highly dependent on division, work group, and regional/home office. This is all to say, someone's experience in, for example, Enforcement in the Chicago regional office will not be super relevant to you if you are looking at Examinations in the LA regional office.

[Anonymous User]

I have heard a lot of angst that either followed or caused a changing of the guard in boston, and now boston enforcement/trial attorneys at level 16 hiring.

Any insight into what’s up in boston?

[Anonymous User]

Curious to hear what people think about how things are at the SEC currently, as I’ve noticed a few divisions, like IM and CF, are continuously hiring. Is it a 9-5, or are the hours closer to biglaw? Is Enforcement any different? Have the high ranking departures shifted the culture at all? Interested to hear from current/recently departed SEC attorneys.

This is kind of like asking how life is at the DOJ or (insert name of large law firm) right now, work/life/culture are highly dependent on division, work group, and regional/home office. This is all to say, someone's experience in, for example, Enforcement in the Chicago regional office will not be super relevant to you if you are looking at Examinations in the LA regional office.

I assumed that, but interested in any/all takes on personal experience (especially IM/CF and Enforcement).

edit: accidental anon (OP)

[Anonymous User]

The big changes in terms of the day to day life for the staff have actually been in the policy divisions in DC (IM, TM, the policy part of CorpFin, etc), based on what I'm hearing. I've heard about lots of extended hours of work on new rulemakings and micromanagement, but nothing on the level of biglaw work hours. ENF and Exams are basically normal hours and generally business as usual, at least at my regional office. The exodus of senior leadership and general exodus caused by pandemic work shifts and extremely high salaries currently available in the private sector has been annoying from a lack of guidance perspective and planning perspective, but not too much of an impact on day to day work. Might be different in other regional offices or the home office, though.

[LittleRedCorvette]

Probably great if you love (i) letting your politics dictate how you operate, (ii) inconsistently applying rules, (iii) targeting certain disfavored industries and (iv) generally creating uncertainties in the market.

[Anonymous User]

Will be almost impossible for Georgia to repeat.

[breadlaw]

Any current SEC folks willing to share their insight/experiences under the Gensler regime? Considering a move to HQ or one of the regional offices in NY/Boston/Chicago. Currently in a registered funds group but have some litigation experience as well, FWIW.