David W. Blass is the Chief Counsel of the Securities and Exchange Commission's Division of Trading and Markets. The Division's Office of the Chief Counsel provides legal and policy advice to the Commission in establishing rules on matters affecting broker-dealers and the operation of the securities markets. The office also issues interpretations regarding matters arising under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Prior to being appointed Chief Counsel in September 2011, Mr. Blass served at the SEC as Associate General Counsel for Legal Policy, where he provided advice to the Commission on a wide range of matters, with a particular emphasis on trading and markets, investment management, legislative, and international matters. Mr. Blass previously served as a Branch Chief and Special Counsel in the Division of Trading and Markets, and later headed the Office of Investment Adviser Regulation as an Assistant Director in the Division of Investment
Management.
In private practice, Mr. Blass was Counsel in the Asset Management Group at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP and previously practiced securities and corporate law at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP.
Mr. Blass earned his JD from Columbia University, and his BA, magna cum laude, from the University of Alabama.