Watch this short video outlining the history and beginnings of the society.
In this program, Theresa Gabaldon, Professor of Law at George Washington University School of Law, talks with former SEC Solicitor Paul Gonson, and Mark Kreitman, then Assistant Director of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement, about the SEC’s relationship to the courts.
Unlike most other agencies, Gonson explains, ‘the SEC has independent litigating authority; that is, it goes into courts with its own lawyers, both trial courts and appellate courts, rather than through lawyers in the Department of Justice or in the U.S. Attorney’s office.’
Gonson goes on to say that ‘[i]t’s been very useful, both in my experience at the SEC and in Mark’s, that the ability to go to court with your own lawyers means that the staff and the Commissioners are able to discuss how they want to do that, and exactly how they want to proceed and what tactics to take. …I think it’s fair to say that in the 70 years or more since the Collier decision, which Mark has referred to, the SEC has become a formidable litigator in courts and some persons regard it as the premier law enforcement agency in the federal government.
Listen to the full audio recording and access the transcript for this program.
*The Board of Advisors is a corps of committed volunteers who, while not subject to the governance and fiduciary responsibilities of the Board of Trustees, work individually and as a group to advance the mission and work of the SEC Historical Society.
“Current and former Trustees and staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission Historical Society are greatly saddened by the loss on April 12 of Paul Gonson, who served the SEC for 37 years, the last 20 as its Solicitor. Paul was a giant of the securities bar and much-beloved by all at the Commission. Paul was also a co-founder of the Historical Society in 1999 and served as the organization’s first Secretary. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family for their loss.
Paul’s oral history interviews may be accessed here.
While the first few months of 2020 have been fraught with uncertainty, we look back at last year through a positive lens as we share our 2019 Annual Report. This year’s report includes the narrative of activities, list of donors and audited financial statements of the Securities and Exchange Commission Historical Society from January 1 through December 31, 2019. Access the full report here: 2019 Annual Report.