SEC Names New Top Cop for Financial Institutions, Publicly Traded Businesses in Texas Region

Securities Enforcement Defense attorney Jessica Magee spoke with The Texas Lawbook about Eric Werner’s promotion to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Regional Director of the Fort Worth Regional Office. As the SEC’s regional director, Mr. Werner will oversee compliance and enforcement of federal securities laws involving publicly traded companies, financial institutions, broker-dealers and investment advisors in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas. He will manage a staff of more than 100 lawyers, accountants, investigators and examiners. Ms. Magee commented on Mr. Werner’s experience and aptitude for the position.

“Eric has an incredible body of experience and expertise, gained from his tenure at the SEC,” she said. “Through his service in various specialty units and in increasing leadership roles within the division of enforcement, he has been at the forefront changes in the political administrations, the capital markets, technology and the securities laws. He has a deep understanding of the agency and the law, and has earned the respect of his SEC colleagues as well as those in the defense bar and business operators in the region he now oversees.”

She also noted some of the challenges he may face in this new role.

“Like others, Eric will face the continued challenge of supporting a largely remote workforce and providing them the resources they need to achieve their mission. But Eric knows the office, the team, and the agency like few others, and he’s helped lead teams through prior challenges like government furloughs and COVID,” she explained.

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