White House Nominates GW Law Professor to SEC

Senate must confirm Lisa M. Fairfax, the Leroy Sorenson Merrifield Research Professor of Law.

October 21, 2015

Lisa M. Fairfax

GW Law Professor Lisa M. Fairfax nominated to the Securities and Exchange Commission. (Photo used with permission of www.sechistorical.org)

GW Law Professor Lisa M. Fairfax has been nominated by President Barack Obama to serve on the Securities and Exchange Commission, Law School Dean Blake D. Morant announced.

During her time at GW, Ms. Fairfax has taught courses in corporate and securities law and is a nationally recognized scholar in the fields of corporate law, corporate governance, director fiduciary obligations and securities law. She currently serves as a member of the Investor Advisory Committee of the SEC.

"An extraordinary scholar and teacher, Professor Fairfax's intellect and experience confirm her stature as a national authority in the areas of corporations and securities,” Mr. Morant said. “She will be an exemplary commissioner."

Ms. Fairfax also has served on the National Adjudicatory Council of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and FINRA’s NASDAQ Market Regulation Committee. In addition, she served on the American Bar Association Business Law Section’s Committee on Corporate Law, an invitation-only committee responsible for updating and reviewing the Model Business Corporation Act.

She has served as chair of both the Securities Regulation and Business Association Sections of the Association of American Law Schools. Before entering academia, she practiced corporate and securities law with the law firm of Ropes & Gray in Boston and Washington. She graduated with honors from Harvard College and Harvard Law School.

The SEC is composed of five commissioners who are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.