SEC’s Champ joins Kirkland private funds group

The former director of the division of investment management at the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Norm Champ has joined Kirkland & Ellis as a partner in the private funds group. He is based in the New York office.

Champ, who left the SEC in January 2015, was a key decision maker on the SEC’s adoption of the Volcker Rule, with a focus on the provisions governing “covered funds.” He was replaced by David Grim in February 2015.

Since his departure from the SEC, Champ has been serving as a lecturer on investment management law at Harvard Law School.

“We are thrilled that our many private equity sponsor clients will have access to his experience and cutting-edge insights,” said Kirkland partner John O’Neill in a statement.

Prior to becoming director of investment management at the SEC, Champ served as deputy director of the SEC’s examination office that carries out examinations of investment managers and broker dealers. Before joining the SEC in 2010, Champ was executive vice president and general counsel of Chilton Investment Co., an investment adviser to long/short equity hedge funds and managed accounts.