David P. Doherty

David P. Doherty was an American lawyer who practiced Financial law at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), and was the 6th General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Life In 1962, Doherty earned his bachelor's degree from St. Michaels College. In 1965, Doherty earned his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

Immediately afterward, Doherty began his legal career down the street at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He started at SEC as a trial lawyer in the Washington Regional Office, where he was involved in various enforcement activities, including inspections and legal proceedings against firms violating securities laws. His work in the regional office led to his transfer to the SEC's headquarters, where he contributed to the development of a national enforcement program under Stanley Sporkin.

When Sporkin became the 5th General Counsel at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Doherty remained at the SEC for two years, until Sporkin recruited Doherty into the CIA to become an Associate General Counsel. Doherty served as the General Counsel until 1988. During his tenure, he held the position of Senior Vice President and later Executive Vice President of the NYSE Enforcement Division, where he was responsible for overseeing investigations and prosecutions of violations related to federal securities laws and NYSE regulations. He managed a team of approximately 100 attorneys, handling over 230 cases annually. Doherty continued in this role until his retirement in 2004, culminating a 16-year career at the NYSE.