Giovanni P. Prezioso

Giovanni P. Prezioso’s practice focuses on securities and corporate law matters.

He represents major financial institutions and corporations in securities enforcement and litigation matters arising out of the financial crisis, as well as in addressing post-crisis regulatory changes. He also counsels clients on a broad range of corporate governance and regulatory matters. 

From 2002 to 2006, Giovanni served as general counsel of the Securities and Exchange Commission. He was the SEC’s chief legal officer during a time of unprecedented enforcement and regulatory activity. During his tenure, his 120-member staff provided legal advice to the SEC on over 2,000 enforcement actions and over 100 rulemaking proceedings. Under Giovanni’s leadership, the general counsel’s office coordinated the implementation of the enforcement and regulatory provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act within the tight timeline set by Congress and drafted regulations under the act that established formal standards of professional conduct for attorneys representing public companies. Giovanni also led an initiative to revitalize the SEC’s amicus program, with numerous submissions to the federal courts on critical policy issues.

Giovanni joined the firm in 1982, became a partner in 1991, and became a senior counsel in 2022. He left Cleary Gottlieb in 2002 upon his appointment to the SEC and returned to the firm in 2006.