The Securities and Exchange Commission has appointed Stephen Cutler as director of the Division of Enforcement.

Cutler has been acting director since his predecessor, Richard Walker, left the post. In this role, Cutler will oversee the commission’s enforcement program in Washington D.C. and in 11 regional and district offices.

SEC chairman Harvey Pitt said, “I am extremely pleased that Steve Cutler will be our new director of Enforcement. He brings with him a long record of accomplishment, both here at the commission as well as in the private sector. His keen intellect, superb judgment and passion for investor protection have impressed me and everyone else with whom he’s worked. I am certain that the commission’s enforcement programs will continue to flourish under Steve’s direction.”

Cutler said, “I am delighted and honored to have the opportunity to serve the commission as the director of Enforcement. The commission has a proud tradition of vigorous and even-handed enforcement of the federal securities laws. I look forward to continuing that tradition in the days ahead.”

Cutler came to the commission in January 1999 as the deputy director of the Enforcement Division from Washington law firm of Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering, where he specialized in securities enforcement and litigation, as well as broker-dealer regulation and compliance.

NASAA president Joseph Borg, director of the Alabama Securities Commission, said, “Steve Cutler is an excellent choice. He has the experience, knowledge and the vision that this position demands. State securities regulators look forward to working with him on a range of issues and concerns.”