The Securities and Exchange Commission is losing general counsel David Becker, who is returning to the private sector.

Becker came to the commission in 1998 as deputy general counsel and has been the agency’s chief legal officer since January 2000. During his tenure, he helped shape most of the SEC’s major policy and regulatory initiatives and counseled the commission on virtually every matter that has come before it.

Becker has not yet accepted another position and will remain with the SEC for a short period to assist with the transition to a new general counsel. Becker said, “I leave the commission with the greatest regret. It has been a privilege to play a role in protecting investors and a joy to work with the commission staff. I owe particular thanks to chairmen Pitt, Unger and Levitt and the commissioners under whom I’ve served. I will be forever grateful for their confidence, leadership, and support.”

Becker joined the SEC in October 1998, from the law firm of Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering, where he was a partner. He began his legal career as law clerk to Judge Harold Leventhal of the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and for Associate Justice (Retired) Stanley Reed of the Supreme Court. He is a graduate of Columbia College and Columbia Law School, where he was editor-in-chief of the Columbia Law Review.