Linda Chatman Thomsen

Infobox Governor
name = Linda Chatman Thomsen


image_size = 394px
birth_name = Linda Chatman Thomsen
birth_date = birth date and age|1954|4|1
birth_place = Long Valley, New Jersey United States
ethnicity = Polish
occupation = Government ; Law
salary =
networth = profit $Undisclosed | spouse = Undisclosed
website = [http://www.uscc.gov/hearings/2008hearings/bios/08_02_07_bios/thomsen.php]
footnotes =
children =

Linda Chatman Thomsen is the Director of the Division of Enforcement for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission since 2005. Since arriving at the SEC in 1995, she has worked under four SEC Chairmans: Arthur Levitt, Harvey Pitt, William Donaldson, and Christopher Cox. William Donaldson named her Director of the Division of Enforcement on May 12, 2005. [cite news| url = http://www.sec.gov/news/press/2005-73.htm | title = Linda Chatman Thomsen Named Director of the Division of Enforcement | publisher = Securities and Exchange Commission | date = May 12, 2005 | accessdate = 2007-12-18 ] . Linda Thomsen is known for her role in the suits by the SEC against Enron and Martha Stewart (the SEC can only sue, not arrest, although the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI may work in concert with the SEC, if necessary). She succeeded Stephen M. Cutler.

Before joining the staff of the Commission, Thomsen was in private practice at the law firm of Davis Polk & Wardwell in Washington, D.C., and New York, and also served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Maryland. In November 2004, Linda Thomsen was identified by writers and editors of the Wall Street Journal as one of fifty “Women to Watch” [cite news| url = http://ladieswholaunch.typepad.com/ladies_who_launch/2006/11/wsj_top_50_wome.html | title = Ladies Who Launch | publisher = Nichelle Stevens | date = 2005-10-31 | accessdate = 2008-03-19] . Linda Thomsen is also marked by her adept historical and literary references, as well as humorous self-deprecations; in one speech, she orates: "I should begin of course where I always do — with a disclaimer. My views are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Commission or any other member of the staff. That's the official disclaimer. I have an additional, more personal disclaimer. My views are affected by my view" [cite news| url = http://www.sec.gov/news/speech/2006/spch103006lct.htm| title = Options Backdating: The Enforcement Perspective | publisher = Securities and Exchange Commission | date = October 30, 2006 | accessdate = 2008-03-18 ] . In Smith's Alumnae Quarterly [cite news| url = http://saqonline.smith.edu/article.epl?issue_id=20&article_id=2063| title = She Won't Back Down | publisher = Smith Alumnae Quarterly | date = October 30, 2006 | accessdate = 2008-01-01] Mrs. Thomsen is portrayed as a enforcer who will not give into pressure to ease back on enforcement regulations. " [The SEC] has a mission I am proud to be part of," she told her alma mater.

She received her A.B. from Smith College and her law degree from Harvard Law School.

References