Omid Harraf has worked at the intersection of consulting, corporate governance, securities and derivatives law, and investor protection. Most recently, Omid was the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s (PCAOB) Chief of Staff. In this role, he advised the PCAOB Chair on all matters that come before the PCAOB, worked closely with Board Members and the staff, and assisted the Chair in her management of the organization.

Prior to joining the PCAOB, Omid served as the Deputy Chief Counsel in the Office of the Chief Accountant at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Prior to becoming the Deputy Chief Counsel, Omid served as Senior Special Counsel for legal policy in the SEC’s Office of the General Counsel where he worked on enforcement and rulemaking matters.

Before joining the SEC, Omid practiced law at an international law firm, where he advised clients on corporate, securities, derivatives, and M&A matters. Previously, Omid has worked for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as an advisor to Commissioner Bart Chilton, the U.S. Department of State, and two multinational organizations, and was a Peace Corps volunteer in Guinea.

Omid has taught several courses and lectured in law schools and business schools in the US and abroad including on securities regulation, corporate transactions, structured products, and valuation.

Omid holds a JD from American University Washington College of Law, where he graduated summa cum laude and Order of the Coif. Omid also holds a Master of Public Policy from American University, as well as a Master of Science in Economics and a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of Nevada, Reno.