On Wednesday, February 14, the Nashville chapter of the Federalist Society will host a talk by Securities and Exchange Commissioner Paul Atkins.

Atkins, who is a graduate of Vanderbilt Law School, has served in his current role since 2002 and has acquired a reputation for outspokenness among those who watch the SEC closely. Prior to his appointment by President George W. Bush, Atkins was a partner at PriceWaterhouseCoopers and a former chief of staff and counsel for the SEC. In the latter capacity, he worked with law enforcement agencies in their investigations of companies thought to have wronged investors.

Among the highlights of his career was his involvement in investigating the Bennett Funding Group, perpetrator of the largest Ponzi-scheme fraud in U.S. history, which robbed some 20,000 investors of much of their money. He was later instrumental in the stabilization of the crippled company.

The event will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the offices of the Waller Lansden law firm in the Nashville City Center (Suite 2700). To register, contact Christine Kay with Waller Lansden at (615) 850-8548. The event is free and open to the public, but space is limited. Parking will be available in the garage of the
City Center at the special rate of $2 for those who notify the attendant that they are going to the event.