The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chair Mary Jo White has appointed Robert E. Rice as her chief counsel.
A former federal prosecutor, Rice comes to the SEC from Deutsche Bank AG in New York, where he was head of governance, litigation and regulation for the Americas, and the global co-head of its governance, litigation and regulation operating committee.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Access deeper industry intelligence
Experience unmatched clarity with a single platform that combines unique data, AI, and human expertise.
As chief counsel, Rice will serve as a senior legal and policy advisor to the chair and provide advice and counsel on a wide variety of regulatory matters.
"I have been impressed by Bob’s intelligence, wisdom, and insight for as long as I’ve known him," said Jo White. "I am delighted that he will be joining our talented SEC team."
Rice said "I am humbled by this appointment, and thrilled to return to public service and work again under Mary Jo White. I look forward to the challenges ahead and to working with everyone at the Commission to protect investors and maintain the integrity of our markets."
Rice, 57, began his legal career in 1987 as an associate at the law firm of Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett, in New York, and spent nearly a decade in the criminal division of the US Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York. As an Assistant US Attorney in Manhattan from 1991 until 2000, he investigated and prosecuted numerous securities fraud, mail and wire fraud, and money laundering cases.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataHe also served as a deputy chief Appellate attorney before being named as a deputy chief of the criminal division, with responsibility for overseeing approximately 160 federal prosecutors.
In 2000, Rice became a partner at McDermott, Will & Emery in New York. He remained there until 2004, when he joined Deutsche Bank. Since 2010, he has been responsible for developing and executing global legal strategies in governance, litigation and regulation for all aspects of the bank’s businesses, including asset management and brokerage services, and corporate and investment banking.
