Robert Kaplan, co-chief of the asset management unit at the SEC’s enforcement division, is joining Debevoise & Plimpton as a litigation partner resident in Washington DC.

Kaplan has been involved with initiatives at the SEC to combat hedge fund fraud, such as an “Aberrational Performance Inquiry” which saw the Commission use risk analytics to identify hedge fund returns that appeared inconsistent with a fund’s strategy. The initiative led to the SEC taking enforcement actions against three advisory firms and six individuals last December for misconduct, including improper use of fund assets, fraudulent valuations and misrepresenting fund returns.

In his role at Debevoise he will advise clients on securities-related enforcement and compliance issues, especially those involving requirements affecting SEC-registered investment advisors affiliated with hedge funds, private equity funds, investment companies, mutual funds and separately managed funds.

Kaplan joined the Division of Enforcement in 1995 as a staff attorney. He later became senior counsel and held a number of other positions before becoming co-chief of the asset management unit. In that role he led a team of 75 lawyers and other experts.

“Debevoise is particularly excited to bring to our clients Rob’s deep understanding of the securities compliance and enforcement issues facing private equity and hedge funds, as well as other alternative investment funds,” said Michael Blair, presiding partner at the law firm.

Debevoise & Plimpton has offices in New York, Washington DC, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Moscow, Hong Kong and Shanghai.