DALLAS — Shamoil T. Shipchandler, a partner in the Dallas office of Bracewell & Giuliani, will become regional director of the Securities and Exchange Commission office in Fort Worth, Texas, the SEC announced Tuesday.
Before joining Bracewell, Shipchandler spent almost 10 years in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Texas, where he held positions of increasing authority ending as deputy criminal chief. He has significant experience conducting and supervising investigations of securities violations as well as extensive trial experience from his time at the U.S. Attorney's Office, the SEC said. He is the recipient of the Department of Justice's Director's Award and the Department of Homeland Security's Silver Medal.
"Shamoil possesses a keen intellect, strong management skills, and was known as a tough but fair prosecutor during his time in government," said Andrew J. Ceresney, Director of the SEC's Division of Enforcement. "He has a clear vision for the Fort Worth Regional Office that will build upon that office's incredibly strong performance in protecting investors."
At Bracewell, Shipchandler has focused on white collar criminal defense, internal investigations and compliance, and related civil litigation in matters involving cybersecurity, public corruption, insider trading, and other statutory and regulatory matters.
He succeeds David Woodcock as regional director and will supervise enforcement and examination activities in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas as well as the office's enforcement activities in Kansas.
"I have the utmost respect for the tremendous dedication, talent, and accomplishments of the lawyers, accountants, and examiners in the office," Shipchandler said. "And I look forward to working with each of them to protect investors and maintain a fair market."
Woodcock, who helped launch the SEC's voluntary disclosure initiative known as MCDC, joined the firm of Jones Day in Dallas as partner after leaving office in June.
As Woodcock's successor, Shipchandler will take over cases where improper disclosure was found to warrant prosecution, said Kit Addleman, a partner at Haynes & Boone who was SEC regional director for 20 years.
"Shamoil is a very energetic and smart man," Addleman told The Bond Buyer. "I don't know that he'll immediately be able to change the office. But I do think Shamoil brings a great deal of judgment and experience to various enforcement actions that the agency will be taking."
