The Securities and Exchange Commission announced that Deputy Chief of Staff and former Deputy General Counsel Alexander Cohen will leave the agency on Dec. 18 to return to the private sector.

Since joining the Chairman’s office in May 2008, Cohen has assisted SEC Chairman Christopher Cox as senior legal counsel in the development and execution of the Commission’s program across the entire agency to promote investor protection, healthy markets, and capital formation. He also served as a liaison to Commissioners and senior agency staff on rulemaking, policy, and enforcement matters.

Cohen joined the SEC staff in 2006 as deputy general counsel for legal policy and administrative practice. Prior to joining the SEC, Cohen was a partner in the international law firm of Latham & Watkins LLP, and co-chair of the firm’s Corporate Finance Practice Group.