David Rubenstein interviewed The Honorable Paul S. Atkins, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Prior to his conversation with David Rubenstein, Chairman Atkins provided remarks on his key first-year achievements as SEC Chairman and priorities for the agency moving forward.
In 2025, Paul Atkins was confirmed as the 34th Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, where his stated goals are strengthening our capital markets- including modernizing rules to align with how markets operate today, streamlining oversight to support innovation, and removing burdensome and impractical requirements.
Prior to returning to the SEC, Atkins was Founder and CEO of Patomak Global Partners, a financial services consulting firm. He previously served as an SEC Commissioner, appointed by President George W. Bush, from 2002 to 2008, where he advocated for transparency, regulatory consistency, and rigorous cost-benefit analysis. Earlier in his career, he served on the staff of two SEC Chairmen, Richard Breeden and Arthur Levitt. Atkins began his career as a lawyer in New York, advising U.S. and international clients on securities offerings and mergers and acquisitions.
Atkins received his J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law and his A.B., Phi Beta Kappa, from Wofford College.
