SEC Taps Gibson Dunn Lawyer as New Enforcement Director

David Woodcock to replace Margaret Ryan after her abrupt resignation

Apr. 8, 2026 at 7:51pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a stack of legal documents, a gavel, and a pair of reading glasses arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic grey background, conceptually representing the serious, high-stakes nature of financial regulation and enforcement.The SEC's selection of a new enforcement director signals a renewed focus on policing financial misconduct and strengthening the agency's oversight capabilities.Dallas Today

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has selected David Woodcock, a partner at the law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in Dallas, Texas, to be its new enforcement director. Woodcock will replace Margaret Ryan, who resigned from the role after just six months on the job following clashes with agency leaders over the direction of the enforcement program.

Why it matters

The SEC's enforcement division plays a critical role in policing Wall Street and investigating financial misconduct. Woodcock's appointment signals the agency's priorities in this area, as he has experience leading the SEC's Fort Worth regional office and creating a task force focused on accounting and financial reporting issues.

The details

Woodcock is a longtime securities lawyer who previously led the SEC's Fort Worth, Texas regional office from 2011-2015. In that role, he helped establish a task force aimed at identifying and rooting out accounting and financial reporting misconduct. His appointment comes after the abrupt resignation of Margaret Ryan, who had only been in the enforcement director role for six months before clashing with SEC leadership over the direction of the enforcement program.

  • Woodcock will replace Margaret Ryan, who resigned from the enforcement director role in March 2026.
  • Woodcock previously led the SEC's Fort Worth, Texas regional office from 2011-2015.

The players

David Woodcock

A partner at the law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in Dallas, Texas, who has been tapped by the SEC to serve as its new enforcement director.

Margaret Ryan

The former SEC enforcement director who resigned from the role in March 2026 after just six months on the job following disagreements with agency leadership.

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

The federal agency responsible for regulating the securities industry and enforcing federal securities laws.

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What’s next

The SEC has not provided a timeline for when Woodcock will officially begin his new role as enforcement director.

The takeaway

Woodcock's appointment signals the SEC's focus on strengthening its enforcement efforts, particularly around accounting and financial reporting issues, as the agency looks to crack down on misconduct on Wall Street.