Peter Kiernan, Deputy Director of Legislative And Intergovernmental Affairs, Retires from SEC After 40 Years of Service (Press Release No. 2008-308; December 31, 2008
Peter S. Kiernan retired after 40 years of distinguished service at the SEC without any allegations of fraud, having served as Deputy Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs and earned widespread praise for his expertise and dedication.
Peter S. Kiernan retired from the SEC on December 31, 2008, after four decades of public service, during which he held key roles including Deputy Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs. He joined the agency in 1968 as a staff attorney and served under 14 SEC chairmen, becoming a trusted liaison between the Commission and Congress. There were no allegations of fraud, financial penalties, or misconduct—only accolades for his institutional knowledge, sound judgment, and unwavering commitment to the SEC’s mission.
Peter S. Kiernan retired from the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 31, 2008, after a 40-year career entirely spent at the agency, beginning as a staff attorney in the Division of Investment Management in 1968. He rose through the ranks to become Deputy Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, serving as a critical bridge between the SEC and Congress under 14 different chairmen. Colleagues and leadership praised his deep understanding of securities laws, legislative processes, and the Commission’s operations, describing him as the backbone of the office and a model of professionalism. There were no accusations of fraud, corruption, or misconduct; his departure was framed entirely as a celebration of a distinguished public service career. The SEC highlighted his sound judgment, good humor, and indispensable role in shaping legislative policy outcomes. Kiernan, a graduate of Yale College and Harvard Business School before earning his law degree from the University of Virginia, dedicated his entire professional life to the agency. His retirement marked the end of an era, with no financial penalties, charges, or controversies—only enduring respect from peers across both the SEC and Capitol Hill.
Extracted insights
- agency 14 sec chairmen and 17 directors of legislative affairs
- person peter s. kiernan
- agency sec for more than 40 years
- agency Securities and Exchange Commission
- person william schulz
- Peter S. Kiernan retired from SEC
- Peter S. Kiernan served as Deputy Director of the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs
- Peter S. Kiernan worked at SEC for more than 40 years
- Peter S. Kiernan graduated from University of Virginia Law School in 1968
- Peter S. Kiernan graduated from Yale College in 1963
- Peter S. Kiernan graduated from Harvard Business School in 1965
- Peter S. Kiernan joined as staff attorney in Division of Investment Management
- Peter S. Kiernan served under 14 SEC chairmen and 17 directors of legislative affairs
- Peter S. Kiernan became Legal Assistant to Commissioner Hugh F. Owens
- Peter S. Kiernan became Legislative Counsel to the Commission in 1976
- William Schulz is Director of the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs
- SEC announced Peter S. Kiernan's retirement on December 31, 2008
Peter Kiernan, Deputy Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, Retires from SEC After 40 Years of Service FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2008-308 Washington, D.C., Dec. 31, 2008 — The Securities and Exchange Commission announced today that Peter S. Kiernan, Deputy Director of the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, is retiring from public service after more than 40 years working at the agency where he was a key liaison between the Commission and the Congress. “Peter’s career at the SEC has spanned more than half of the agency’s lifetime, and he will be sorely missed,” said William Schulz, Director of the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs. “He has been the backbone of our office for decades, and the Commission and the Congress have benefited enormously from his extensive knowledge of the securities laws and the legislative process, his deep understanding of all facets of the Commission’s activities, and his sound judgment and good humor.” Mr. Kiernan said, “I will miss the Commission and the many friends both here and on the Congressional staffs who have been so helpful to me. I will be following the Commission’s work from a bit more of a distance now, but I know that the SEC and my colleagues here, past and present, will never be totally out of my thoughts after all of my time here.” The SEC’s Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs carefully monitors ongoing legislative activities and initiatives on Capitol Hill that affect the Commission and its mission, and works with Members of Congress and their staffs to achieve legislative policy goals. Mr. Kiernan served under 14 SEC chairmen and 17 directors of legislative affairs during his tenure at the agency. Today is his final day of work at the SEC. Mr. Kiernan has worked his entire professional career at the SEC, joining the agency as a staff attorney in the now-Division of Investment Management directly upon graduation from the University of Virginia Law School in 1968. He later became the Legal Assistant to then-Commissioner Hugh F. Owens, and then an Assistant Director in the Division of Investment Management before becoming a Legislative Counsel to the Commission in 1976. He has worked in the legislative affairs area ever since, most recently as Deputy Director. Mr. Kiernan graduated from Yale College in 1963 and Harvard Business School in 1965. http://www.sec.gov/news/press/2008/2008-308.htm Home | Previous Page Modified: 12/31/2008
Peter Kiernan, Deputy Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, Retires from SEC After 40 Years of Service FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2008-308 Washington, D.C., Dec. 31, 2008 — The Securities and Exchange Commission announced today that Peter S. Kiernan, Deputy Director of the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, is retiring from public service after more than 40 years working at the agency where he was a key liaison between the Commission and the Congress. “Peter’s career at the SEC has spanned more than half of the agency’s lifetime, and he will be sorely missed,” said William Schulz, Director of the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs. “He has been the backbone of our office for decades, and the Commission and the Congress have benefited enormously from his extensive knowledge of the securities laws and the legislative process, his deep understanding of all facets of the Commission’s activities, and his sound judgment and good humor.” Mr. Kiernan said, “I will miss the Commission and the many friends both here and on the Congressional staffs who have been so helpful to me. I will be following the Commission’s work from a bit more of a distance now, but I know that the SEC and my colleagues here, past and present, will never be totally out of my thoughts after all of my time here.” The SEC’s Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs carefully monitors ongoing legislative activities and initiatives on Capitol Hill that affect the Commission and its mission, and works with Members of Congress and their staffs to achieve legislative policy goals. Mr. Kiernan served under 14 SEC chairmen and 17 directors of legislative affairs during his tenure at the agency. Today is his final day of work at the SEC. Mr. Kiernan has worked his entire professional career at the SEC, joining the agency as a staff attorney in the now-Division of Investment Management directly upon graduation from the University of Virginia Law School in 1968. He later became the Legal Assistant to then-Commissioner Hugh F. Owens, and then an Assistant Director in the Division of Investment Management before becoming a Legislative Counsel to the Commission in 1976. He has worked in the legislative affairs area ever since, most recently as Deputy Director. Mr. Kiernan graduated from Yale College in 1963 and Harvard Business School in 1965. http://www.sec.gov/news/press/2008/2008-308.htm Home | Previous Page Modified: 12/31/2008