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SEC Vet Joins Top Firm in Washington
2 Oct
Summary
- Sam Waldon, former SEC Principal Deputy Enforcement Director, joins WilmerHale.
- Waldon brings over 15 years of experience from the U.S. securities regulator.
- This hire follows previous recruitment of senior SEC officials by the firm.
WilmerHale has appointed Sam Waldon, a seasoned lawyer from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as a partner in its Washington office. Waldon most recently served as the Principal Deputy Enforcement Director, departing the SEC in July after more than 15 years with the agency.
During his tenure, Waldon twice acted as enforcement director in 2025 and 2026, periods marked by significant shifts in the administration's priorities. His move to WilmerHale is part of a broader trend, with the firm having previously hired Natasha Vij Greiner, former head of investment management, and Jason Burt, former deputy enforcement director.
Waldon expressed that the opportunity was unique and he felt confident leaving the SEC's enforcement division in a strong position. The SEC's enforcement activities saw a decrease during the initial year of the Trump administration due to staff departures and a change in focus, leading the agency to withdraw from some high-profile cases.
Recently, the SEC has announced numerous enforcement actions, signaling a potential return to normal operations. However, expectations remain that the regulator will continue to focus on frauds that harm investors. Waldon indicated that while "lie, cheat and steal" cases remain a top priority, the SEC's scope of enforcement is not limited to these alone.
