Robert W. Cook will join the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority as President and Chief Executive Officer. Robert will begin his new role at FINRA in the second half of 2016.
Robert joined Cleary as an associate in 1992 and became a partner in 2001. In late 2009, Robert left the Firm to serve as the Director of the Division of Trading and Markets of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Under his direction, the Division’s 250 professionals were responsible for regulatory policy and oversight with respect to securities exchanges and markets, broker-dealers, security-based swap dealers, clearing agencies, and FINRA. Robert returned to the Firm in 2013.
During his time at Cleary, Robert has made significant contributions to the Firm’s securities regulation practice. As one of the country’s leading practitioners on broker-dealer and market regulations, he has extensive experience working on a range of matters arising under the federal securities laws, SEC regulations, and self-regulatory organization rules, as well as on the regulation of swaps and other financial products.
“Cleary has a preeminent financial services regulatory practice,” said Robert. “It has been an honor to work alongside so many talented lawyers with such deep expertise on a wide range of complex issues.”
“Robert is one of the nation’s foremost experts on broker-dealer regulation and an extremely skilled lawyer. He will be a tremendous resource and will provide exceptional leadership at FINRA. Robert will certainly be missed, but we also share his excitement for this opportunity to return to public service. We are grateful for the many contributions Robert has made to the Firm and offer him our very best wishes for success,” said Mark Leddy.