Top Staffer Leaves SEC for Private Practice

Susan Markel, chief accountant for the Securities and Exchange Commission's enforcement division, will leave the agency in January after 14 years of service to become a managing director in the corporate investigations practice of AlixPartners LLP, a global business advisory firm.

"For more than 14 years, Susan Markel has brought both expertise and insight to financial fraud investigations," said Linda Chatman Thomsen, director of the SEC's division of enforcement. "Her instincts are superb and her investigative abilities are unparalleled. As the chief accountant for the division, her leadership and integrity were tremendous assets to the commission and investors."

Markel has participated in several major enforcement actions, including financial fraud cases against Xerox, KPMG, Cendant, WorldCom and Cardinal Health.