About
Paul Atkins, a former commissioner of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), is founder and chief executive of Patomak Global Partners, a fintech consulting firm based in Washington, D.C.. Since its founding in 2017, he has also served as co-chair of the Token Alliance, a platform for connecting crypto exchanges and blockchain projects.
Atkins served as an SEC commissioner during the administration of President George W. Bush (2002–08). Once the 2008 financial crisis began, he served on the Congressional Oversight Panel for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). In 2016, Atkins joined other business moguls as a member of President-elect Trump’s Strategic and Policy Forum. More recently, he has spoken out against the SEC’s proposed climate disclosure rule.
Atkins holds a bachelor’s degree from Wofford College in South Carolina and a law degree from Vanderbilt.
Actions
- Spoke on a Federalist Society panel, “Utah v. Su: Are DOL (and SEC) regulations that encourage ESG investing lawful?” moderated by Gregory Jacob, Partner, O’Melveny & Myers LLP; with Elliot Gaiser, Associate, Boyden Gray & Associates PLLC; and Sharon Rose, Partner, Berliner Corcoran & Rowe LLP (7/9/24)
- Participated in a Reason Foundation webinar titled, “ESG trends and impacts on public pensions,” with Andy Puzder, a Heritage Foundation fellow and retired CEO of Carl’s Jr./Hardees (9/20/22)
- Spoke on a call with the American Petroleum Institute‘s Rolf Hanson, vice president for state government relations, and SFOF members to discuss “the SEC Climate Rule proposal” (5/9/22)
- Participated in an “ESG Discussion: How Do We Protect the Role of the Fiduciary?” at SFOF’s 2022 National Meeting hosted by Utah State Treasurer Marlo Oaks with Hester Peirce, commissioner of the SEC; and Andy Puzder, a Heritage Foundation fellow and retired CEO of Carl’s Jr./Hardees (2/17/22)