The head of enforcement at the U.S. brokerage industry’s self-regulatory organization announced Thursday that she is stepping down from her post.

Susan Merrill, who has headed enforcement at the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, and before that headed enforcement at New York Stock Exchange Regulation, is to return to private practice. Her departure date has yet to be determined, and a successor has yet to be named. FINRA said a search is underway for her replacement.

Merrill became the head of enforcement at FINRA predecessor, NYSE Regulation, in 2004, and took over that same role when much of NYSE Regulation merged with the NASD in 2007 to form FINRA. Prior to joining NYSE Regulation, she was a partner at the New York law firm of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP.

“I had a vision of one, unified enforcement department, a place where all of us had the opportunity to make a difference for investors. I believe that we have truly formed one team,” Merrill said.

“I am especially proud of the actions we brought regarding auction rate securities, where more than $1 billion was returned to investors. Also, FINRA Enforcement brought important disciplinary actions in the areas of money laundering, mutual fund and variable annuity violations, as well as vigorous actions to shut down Ponzi schemers and discipline those who victimized the elderly.”

IE