The Financial Industry Regulation Authority selected J. Bradley Bennett to succeed James Shorris as the new head of enforcement effective Jan. 1. In the position, Bennett will be responsible for managing the FINRA enforcement staff nationwide — approximately 300 individuals in 17 offices. Bennett is currently a partner at Baker Botts law firm, where he specializes in finance and securities law, as well as an adjunct professor of securities regulation at Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law. Before joining Baker Botts in 2001, he was an attorney at Miller, Cassidy, Larocca & Lewin, a firm based in Washington D.C. Bennet started his career at the Securities Exchange Commission as a senior attorney in the Division of Enforcement. “Brad will bring extensive knowledge and experience in dealing with violations of securities rules to FINRA at this critical time,” said Richard Ketchum, Chairman and CEO of FINRA. Bennett will report to FINRA vice chairman Stephen Luparello. FINRA is the largest independent regulator for securities firms in the United States. The organization oversees about 4,700 brokerage firms. FINRA also performs market regulation for the major U.S. stock markets, including the New York Stock Exchange and The NASDAQ Stock Market. FINRA recently entered into a cooperation agreement with the Financial Services Authority in the UK. Write to Christine Ricciardi.