Rising 2L finds niche in regulatory law at the SEC

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – As an undergraduate student, Penn State Law 2L Morgan Stanley majored in finance. Coming into law school, he wanted to focus on regulation and regulatory compliance, and found a summer work opportunity with the Securities and Exchange Commission through the Career Services Office’s job portal. Working in the SEC’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations, Stanley’s job changed every day. The office conducts the National Exam Program, which focuses on finding ways to improve compliance, prevent fraud, monitor risk, and inform policy. He looked at trade blotters, sat in on interviews and discussions with chief compliance officers, and worked on policy and general research.

“My courses at Penn State Law really prepared me for the research and writing aspects of the position,” Stanley said. “I felt that I had a really solid background to work from.”

The most valuable aspect of his time at the SEC, from his perspective, was getting to see the compliance side of regulation. It was much more free form than he had expected, and he enjoyed what he referred to as “financial detective work.”

The entire experience with the SEC was somewhat unorthodox when compared to other summer legal positions. But learning as he went, Stanley is now hooked.

“I am eager to see more of the security industry, and to gain more private experience, as well as litigation experience,” he said.