In a major management transfer for U.S. market oversight, the Securities and Change Fee has appointed common counsel J. Russell McGranahan to move its authorized workplace.
SEC appoints Rusty McGranahan as high authorized officer
The Securities and Change Fee introduced on Jan. 15, 2026, that J. Russell “Rusty” McGranahan has been named SEC Basic Counsel, turning into the company’s chief authorized officer with duty for advising the Workplace of the Chairman, Commissioners, and workers throughout the group.
As Basic Counsel, Mr. McGranahan will oversee the supply of authorized experience and steerage on advanced regulatory, enforcement, and coverage issues affecting the U.S. capital markets. Furthermore, he’ll play a central function in shaping the Fee’s rulemaking and oversight agenda.
Jeffrey Finnell, who had been serving as Performing Basic Counsel, will stay on the Fee as Deputy Basic Counsel, making certain continuity within the company’s authorized management throughout this transition.
Chairman Atkins highlights expertise and priorities
SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins praised the appointment, emphasizing his longstanding relationship with Mr. McGranahan and his in depth background in securities and M&A legislation. Nonetheless, Atkins additionally burdened that prior public firm and authorities service as common counsel can be essential for the Fee’s present priorities.
Atkins famous that he expects Rusty to use his expertise instantly throughout a variety of initiatives, together with efforts to strengthen U.S. capital markets and advance a sturdy rulemaking agenda. That mentioned, the Chairman additionally underscored the significance of management able to navigating speedy modifications in know-how and finance.
Chairman Atkins individually thanked Jeff Finnell for his tenure as Performing Basic Counsel, describing his judgment and deep experience in securities legal guidelines as invaluable to the SEC. Furthermore, he welcomed Finnell’s continued service as Deputy Basic Counsel because the company strikes ahead with its coverage and enforcement work.
McGranahan’s imaginative and prescient for innovation and capital formation
Mr. McGranahan mentioned it’s an honor to affix the SEC and the Chairman’s senior workforce throughout a interval of speedy technological and monetary innovation. He indicated that he seems ahead to working with SEC colleagues to embrace new developments whereas sustaining America’s preeminence in monetary providers and capital formation.
In accordance with McGranahan, the sec common counsel function would require balancing innovation with investor safety. Nonetheless, he emphasised that accountable regulation can foster development within the capital markets whereas preserving confidence in U.S. monetary infrastructure.
In depth authorized and management background
Mr. McGranahan’s profession spans 30 years throughout main firms and legislation companies, offering a deep authorized counsel background in each personal and public sectors. Most not too long ago, he served as Basic Counsel of the U.S. Basic Companies Administration (GSA), the place he helped set the course for a number of key initiatives through the first 10 months of the present Administration.
Previous to GSA, he was Basic Counsel of Focus Monetary Companions, a wealth administration agency. He spent 9 years with Focus Monetary, main the authorized perform by means of a interval of explosive development, together with its IPO in 2018 and a going personal transaction in 2023. Furthermore, his tenure there highlights his expertise in advanced capital markets transactions and company governance.
Earlier than becoming a member of Focus Monetary, Mr. McGranahan spent 9 years with BlackRock, the place he served as Managing Director, M&A Counsel, and Company Secretary. That mentioned, his time as a senior BlackRock managing director additional solidified his experience in large-scale asset administration and strategic transactions.
Early profession and educational credentials
Earlier in his profession, Mr. McGranahan labored at outstanding legislation companies Skadden, Arps and White & Case. For 3 years, he was based mostly in Japanese Europe, the place he suggested on a few of the area’s first public choices, gaining cross-border capital markets expertise that is still related to world regulatory work.
Mr. McGranahan earned his J.D. from Yale Regulation Faculty and his B.A., summa cum laude, in Economics and Politics from the Catholic College of America. He has additionally earned the Chartered Monetary Analyst (CFA) designation, including a rigorous analytical finance credential to his authorized coaching.
Significance of the SEC management appointment
This SEC management appointment underscores the Fee’s deal with combining market experience, regulatory expertise, and worldwide perspective on the high of its authorized perform. Furthermore, the mix of public sector and personal market roles positions McGranahan to advise on each progressive monetary merchandise and conventional securities regulation.