The Father of Modern Securities Regulation and SEC Enforcement

Former SEC Commissioner Irving Pollock passed away on July 1, 2016. Irving Pollock is a central figure is the history of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and modern securities regulation. He served on the staff of the agency in the general counsel’s office and as head of the division of trading and markets for nearly three decades. Subsequently, he became a Commissioner, a position he held until 1980.

Mr. Pollock was the first Director of the Division of enforcement. In 1972 then SEC Chairman William Carry created the Division of Enforcement, naming Irving Pollock as its director. Under his direction the modern enforcement division began. When he was named as a Commissioner in 1972, Stanly Sporkin was appointed to the post.

Each year the Irving Pollock Award is given to the outstanding enforcement attorney. For his work as a member of the staff and as a Commissioner, Irving Pollock has been called the Father of Modern Securities Regulation by the New York Times. The vision, trust and personal touch Irving Pollock brought to SEC and infused into the enforcement program in its early years will not soon be seen again.