Nasdaq has named John Zecca as executive vice president and chief legal officer, responsible for managing Nasdaq’s regulatory oversight, legal counsel, and compliance across the company’s global businesses.

Nasdaq Executive Vice President Edward Knight will assume the role of vice chairman, effective Oct. 1. He will continue to manage global government relations and will serve as a senior advisor on public policy and litigation.

Prior to serving as FINRA’s general counsel from 1999 to 2001, Knight served as general counsel of the U.S. Department of the Treasury for five years, the longest tenured general counsel since the position was created in 1934. He received the Alexander Hamilton Award from Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, the Department’s highest award, and the Honor Award from the Secret Service. Knight also served as a member of President Obama’s Transition Team in 2008 and 2009.

Zecca’s career spans market regulation, corporate law, corporate governance, and market structure. Zecca most recently served as Nasdaq’s general counsel, North America and chief regulatory officer, responsible for Nasdaq’s corporate law, intellectual property, and regulatory teams that maintain fair, orderly markets and protect investors.

Prior to joining Nasdaq in 2001, Zecca served as legal counsel to a commissioner of the Securities and Exchange Commission and practiced corporate securities law at both Hogan Lovells and Kaye Scholer. Prior to that role, he served as law clerk for the Honorable John Pratt of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

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