TheCorporateCounsel.net

The SEC’s five Commissioners issued a joint statement yesterday honoring the legacy of Harvey Pitt. The statement says:

We mourn the passing of Harvey Pitt, the 26th Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Harvey loved this agency, dating back to his time right out of law school serving as a staff attorney in the Office of General Counsel (OGC). He continued to serve the Commission for a decade, advising former Commissioner Francis M. Wheat, taking on important roles in OGC and the Division of Market Regulation, and serving in the front office of former Chairman Ray Garrett, Jr. After only seven years at the SEC, Harvey became the youngest General Counsel in the SEC’s history. It was one of his greatest dreams to come back later in his career to chair the agency. As Chair, he oversaw the SEC’s response to the September 11th attacks and led the Commission’s rulemaking efforts in response to the corporate accounting crises of the 1990s. Even in the last year, he has made himself available to offer advice and continued to submit comment letters on our rulemaking proposals. Our hearts go out to Saree and Harvey’s family.

In addition, the WSJ published this obituary, recounting Pitt’s role in so many important developments over the years.

– Dave Lynn