William R. McLucas

William R. McLucas or (Bill McLucas) is an American attorney who served as the Director of Enforcement at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from 1989 to 1998. After leaving the SEC, he became a partner at the law firm Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr.

Early life and education McLucas was born and raised in a working-class environment in Lilly, Pennsylvania where his father was a foreman at a local company. He graduated cum laude from Pennsylvania State University in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. He earned his Juris Doctor from Temple University Beasley School of Law in 1975, where he served as the Research Editor for the Temple Law Quarterly and is currently a member of the Law School’s Board of Visitors. Before joining the SEC, he worked at the Federal Home Loan Bank Board for two years. In 1999, he married Paula Kashtan, a lawyer and former SEC colleague, and the couple has two sons and a daughter. Over the years, he advanced through various roles, becoming Branch Chief in 1980, Assistant Director in 1984, and Associate Director in 1986. In 1989, he was appointed Director of the Division of Enforcement by then-SEC Chairman Richard C. Breeden and served under the administrations of George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton until April 1998, making him the longest-serving director in the Commission's history, holding the position for over eight years.

He received the President’s Award for Distinguished Executive Service from President Ronald Reagan in 1988.

McLucas's appointment followed an extensive selection process in which SEC officials interviewed approximately 30 candidates. His practice expanded into corporate governance and he led internal investigations into corporate misconduct, including serving as lead attorney in the Enron investigation,

Former SEC Commissioner Joseph Grundfest described him as "smart, tough, and honest".

McLucas also provided legal counsel to major financial institutions, including JP Morgan Chase.

In 2000, McLucas was engaged by Tyco International to provide legal guidance amid an SEC investigation. In an internal email, he warned company executives about the potential severity of regulatory actions and urged them to ensure full compliance. The SEC probe concluded without formal charges against Tyco.

In 2012, McLucas was engaged by Best Buy's board of directors to lead an internal investigation into the personal conduct of former CEO Brian Dunn.

McLucas has received numerous recognitions, including being named in 2018 to the Lawdragon Magazine Hall of Fame, the National Public Service Award in 1996, and the William O. Douglas Award from the Securities and Exchange Commission Alumni Association in 2010. 1996, National Public Service Award 1988, President's Award for Distinguished Executive Service from President Ronald Reagan