SEC’s Campos to join law firm

Securities and Exchange Commission member Roel Campos will join law firm Cooley Godward Kronish next month to represent companies under investigation by the agency and advise buyout firms and hedge funds.

Campos, 58, had announced his departure from the SEC on Aug. 9. On Thursday, Palo Alto-based Cooley confirmed that he would become a partner and head the firm’s Washington office, which has 30 lawyers. Campos’ last day at the agency will be Sept. 18.

Under federal rules, Campos can’t represent clients before the SEC for a full year after joining Cooley. But he can advise clients on SEC matters as long as he avoids direct contact with agency staff and commissioners.

Campos, a former assistant U.S. attorney in Los Angeles and one of two Democrats on the SEC, has served since 2002.