Kenneth Lench Named PCAOB General Counsel

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board today announced that Kenneth Lench has been named the PCAOB's General Counsel. In this role, Mr. Lench will provide legal advice and counsel to the Board regarding all PCAOB operations and activities.

"Ken brings deep experience in securities law and the capital markets, and will be an excellent addition to our leadership team," said PCAOB Chairman William D. Duhnke. "We look forward to his counsel as we work to effectively execute our mission and make continued progress on our strategic plan."

Mr. Lench is currently a partner in Kirkland & Ellis LLP’s Government, Regulatory, and Internal Investigations Practice Group where he focuses on securities law.  Prior to joining Kirkland in 2013, Mr. Lench served for more than 23 years in several positions at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In his last role at the SEC he served as Chief of the Structured and New Products Unit of the Division of Enforcement.  Mr. Lench previously held various senior positions at the SEC's Enforcement Division including assistant director, assistant chief counsel, branch chief, and senior counsel.  He also served in the SEC's Division of Corporation Finance.  Before joining the SEC, Mr. Lench was in private practice. 

"It is an honor to join the PCAOB and lead the Office of the General Counsel," said Mr. Lench. "The PCAOB plays an important role in advancing audit quality, and I look forward to working with the Board and dedicated staff to execute the organization's statutory mandate."

Mr. Lench earned his B.A., cum laude, from Brandeis University and his J.D. from the Boston University School of Law.

The Board thanks the PCAOB's current Acting General Counsel, John Cook, for his leadership. Under his direction, the Office of the General Counsel has continued to provide high-quality advice to the Board and the PCAOB's staff, while leading several key litigation and rulemaking efforts. Mr. Cook will resume his role as Deputy General Counsel upon Mr. Lench's arrival, expected in February 2020.