CFTC Chair Selig Names David I. Miller as Director of Enforcement

Two days ago, Michael S. Selig, the Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), announced that David I. Miller, a former federal prosecutor, would be taking on the role of the CFTC’s Director of Enforcement. Chairman Selig expressed his enthusiasm about Miller joining the Commission, highlighting Miller’s extensive experience as a federal prosecutor and white-collar defense attorney. Selig emphasized Miller’s proven track record of protecting market participants from the unorthodox legal interpretations of overzealous regulators and plaintiffs. Miller’s primary responsibility will be to ensure that the Enforcement Division of the CFTC concentrates on its core mission of detecting and preventing fraud, abuse, and manipulation in the financial markets.

Expressing his gratitude towards the outgoing Acting Director of Enforcement, Paul Hayeck, for his service since June 2025, Chairman Selig announced that Hayeck would now lead the Enforcement Division’s Complex Fraud Task Force. This strategic move aims to target individuals who engage in fraudulent activities, market manipulation, and abusive trading practices. Miller, while expressing his honor and excitement in joining the ranks at the CFTC, appreciated the Chairman’s faith in him and expressed his eagerness to collaborate with the talented CFTC staff to uphold the organization’s goals of promoting innovation and preserving the integrity of U.S. markets by combatting fraud, abuse, and manipulation.

David I. Miller transitions from private practice where he held positions as a litigation partner at prestigious global law firms such as Greenberg Traurig and Morgan Lewis. Throughout his career, Miller has focused on white-collar defense, government and internal investigations, commodities and securities enforcement, complex civil litigation, digital asset enforcement and regulatory matters, and national security issues. He brings with him a wealth of experience in representing clients before various regulatory bodies, including the CFTC, SEC, Department of Justice, state attorneys general offices, and self-regulatory organizations. Miller has also litigated criminal and civil cases across different jurisdictions within the United States.

Prior to his venture into private practice, David I. Miller served nearly ten years in the public sector. Notably, he spent five years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York, specializing in the Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Working closely with CFTC enforcement personnel during this period honed his skills and expertise in financial market regulations. Miller boasts a versatile public service background that includes roles as a terrorism prosecutor at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., a special assistant U.S. attorney in Virginia, and an assistant general counsel at the CIA. Miller commenced his career in New York after graduating with a J.D. from New York University School of Law and a magna cum laude B.A. from Georgetown University.

In sum, the appointment of David I. Miller as the Director of Enforcement at the CFTC underlines the Commission’s commitment to enforcing regulations that safeguard the financial system against fraudulent, manipulative, and abusive practices. Miller’s diverse legal background, ranging from federal prosecution to private practice, equips him with the necessary skills and experience to lead the Enforcement Division effectively. His arrival at the CFTC signifies a pivotal moment in facilitating the organization’s mission of promoting market integrity and innovation.