Defining the Whistleblower Under Dodd-Frank: Who Decides?

The SEC and the Judiciary are at odds over whether an individual must report potential securities law violations directly to the SEC in order to qualify as a whistleblower under the Dodd-Frank Act. This Essay examines the statutory language at the heart of the conflict, the SEC regulation that potentially clarifies the scope of whistleblower protection, and the SEC’s authority to interpret the Act. Ultimately, the author concludes that the SEC’s expansive approach is more in line with the objectives of securities law enforcement.