The Securities and Exchange Commission today appointed Paula Drake as an associate director where she will serve as chief counsel and chief compliance and ethics officer in the SEC's Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations(OCIE).

Drake, who starts Aug. 6, will oversee a staff of eight lawyers and coordinate the efforts of attorney advisors in the SEC's eleven regional offices.

The OCIE conducts the SEC's national examination program for investment advisors and investment companies, broker-dealers, self regulatory organizations, clearing agencies, and transfer agents to fulfill its mission of promoting compliance, preventing fraud, monitoring risk and informing SEC policy.

Drake most recently served as general counsel and chief operating officer at Oechsle International Advisors, LLC, where she was involved in all aspects of the investment management business, including registering investment advisors and establishing risk and compliance programs.

While at Oechsle, Drake acquired experience managing litigation, regulatory relationships, examinations, audits and internal investigations, and recently completed eight years as a member of the board of governors of the Investment Advisers Association.

Before joining Oechsle, Drake was an attorney with the law firm of Ropes & Gray, and at Fidelity Investments.

OCIE Director Carlo di Florio said Drake will help the SEC advance its national examination program, including leading the critical legal function, developing our national examination policy manual, and overseeing its internal compliance team.