The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) today announced that David Cohen has joined SIFMA as managing director and associate general counsel.
Cohen will provide general support to SIFMA’s Municipal Securities Division with regard to legislative, policy, legal, regulatory, market practice and documentation issues. He will report to Michael Decker, managing director and co-head of SIFMA’s Municipal Securities Division, and Leslie Norwood, managing director, associate general counsel, and co-head SIFMA’s Municipal Securities Division.
“David brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in legal and regulatory affairs. We’re pleased to have him join our team,” said Michael Decker.
“David’s proven ability to manage municipal securities issues from both a business and legal perspective will serve our members well,” added Leslie Norwood.
Cohen will focus on issues including regulatory changes resulting from the Dodd-Frank legislation, compliance concerns regarding secondary market disclosure and legislative analysis regarding potential challenges to tax exemption.
Prior to joining SIFMA, Cohen was managing counsel – ethics and compliance with Cablevision Systems Corporation, where he provided legal advice on federal, state, and local political law and regulatory compliance.
Prior to joining Cablevision in 2009, Cohen spent eight years with UBS, most recently as executive director and regulatory compliance business manager for UBS’ Municipal Securities Group (MSG). In this role, Cohen developed compliance procedures and standards for such initiatives as Sarbanes-Oxley and the USA Patriot Act. He served as principal business liaison with regulators and participated in a number of internal and external committees, including SIFMA’s Municipal Legal Advisory Committee.
Before joining UBS, Cohen served as executive director of the New York State Democratic Committee, where he worked from 1995-2001. Cohen was chief of staff to the state chairperson, supervising the organization’s daily operations and overseeing compliance with election law and reporting requirements.
Cohen began his career as a litigation associate with Hart & Hume from 1992-1994. He earned his Bachelor’s in Political Science from Union College and his Juris Doctorate from Hofstra University School of Law.
