David Woodcock is a partner in the Dallas and Washington offices of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and a co-chair of the firm’s Securities Enforcement Practice Group. Mr. Woodcock’s background as a senior officer at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), global law firm partner, CPA, and senior in-house corporate attorney at ExxonMobil Corporation provides a unique set of experiences and perspectives that help him guide clients through complex matters that require sound judgment.
SEC Enforcement and Investigations
Mr. Woodcock’s practice focuses on internal investigations and SEC defense, with a particular emphasis on accounting and financial reporting, corporate compliance, and audit/special committee investigations. He also counsels investment advisors and private equity funds in the context of SEC examinations and investigations, ESG matters, and portfolio due diligence and compliance.
Mr. Woodcock served as Director of the Fort Worth Regional Office of the Securities Exchange Commission from 2011 to 2015. In this role, he led over 120 lawyers, accountants, and examiners on all aspects of the SEC’s enforcement and examination activities in four states (Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kansas). During his tenure, Mr. Woodcock helped create, and served as chair of, the cross-office/division Financial Reporting and Audit Task Force, which was designed to enhance the SEC’s detection and prosecution of violations involving accounting and false financial statements. During this time, Mr. Woodcock oversaw investigations in nearly every major area of the SEC’s enforcement program. He also served as a member of the Enforcement Advisory Committee.
Corporate Governance
Mr. Woodcock also regularly advises clients on corporate securities and governance, the role of the board, shareholder activism, and ESG-related issues, including the energy transition, climate disclosures, enterprise risk management practices, and related U.S./European regulations. Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, Mr. Woodcock was Assistant General Counsel – Corporate at ExxonMobil Corporation, where he led all aspects of corporate, securities, ESG/sustainability, and governance.
He is a frequent speaker and commenter on governance issues, including the following:
- The Texas Business Court and the Future of Corporate Governance
- Using Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence for Public Disclosures
- ESG And The Board: Avoiding Risky Business
Market Recognition
Mr. Woodcock has been recognized as a leading attorney by Chambers, Securities Docket Elite, Best Lawyers in America, Texas Super Lawyers, and LawDragon—Energy, among others. In interviews with Chambers, his clients note “David is considered a thought leader in SEC work. He is super well-rounded and deeply respected.”
Mr. Woodcock received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Louisiana State University in 1992. He was a CPA at Ernst & Young and Price Waterhouse for nearly five years before graduating with honors from the University of Texas School of Law in 2000. Mr. Woodcock clerked for Judge Howell Cobb in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas from 2000 to 2001 before going into private practice.
Capabilities
- Securities Enforcement
- Accounting Firm Advisory and Defense
- Energy Regulation and Litigation
- Energy and Infrastructure
- Oil and Gas
- Securities Litigation
- Securities Regulation and Corporate Governance
- White Collar Defense and Investigations
Credentials
Education:
- University of Texas - 2000 Juris Doctor
- Louisiana State University - 1992 Bachelor of Science
Admissions:
- District of Columbia Bar
- Texas Bar
Clerkships:
- USDC, Eastern District of Texas, Hon. Howell Cobb, 2000 - 2001