May 12, 2025
Salt Lake City, Utah—The Utah Department of Commerce has appointed Robert Cummings as the new Director of the Utah Division of Securities (Division).
Cummings brings over 15 years of experience in civil and criminal litigation, along with a strong passion for public service, to his new role. He has tried several cases in the securities industry, including criminal securities fraud and a multi-week civil securities fraud arbitration, along with health care fraud, corporate fiduciary duties, and corporate share valuations trials. Cummings began his career in Los Angeles with the international law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. Upon returning to Utah, he established his own law firm before joining Snow Christensen & Martineau, which merged with the national law firm Spencer Fane in March of 2024.
“We are confident in Robert Cummings’ ability to lead the Utah Division of Securities forward,” said Margaret Busse, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Commerce. “His extensive experience in litigation, particularly in securities fraud cases, makes him exceptionally qualified for this role.”
The Division of Securities regulates the investment industry in Utah and enforces the state’s securities laws. Its mission includes creating a level playing field in the industry, ensuring standards of competence through licensing, and educating and protecting Utah’s investors. To achieve this, the Division provides information, resources, and tools to help the public make informed investment decisions and to research investment opportunities.
“I’ve been eager to dedicate my skills and expertise to public service for quite some time, and I’m thrilled to join the Utah Division of Securities,” said Robert Cummings. “I’m deeply impressed by the Division’s commitment to protecting Utahns and the incomparable expertise of the Division’s professionals. I look forward to contributing to their excellent work.”
Cummings attended Westminster University, graduating summa cum laude with a degree in Political Studies, followed by a Master of Science with honors in Economics from the University of Utah. He received his law degree, magna cum laude, from the Georgetown University Law Center, receiving at graduation Order of the Coif honors and the St. Thomas More Award for outstanding work on the Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics. During law school, Cummings also gained experience as an extern for the Honorable Johnnie B. Rawlinson of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
About the Utah Division of Securities
The Utah Division of Securities, one of 11 divisions and offices at the Utah Department of Commerce, is the state agency responsible for regulating the securities (investment) industry in the state and enforcing Utah’s securities laws. The Division seeks to create a level playing field in the investment industry and ensure minimum standards of competence, training, and fair-dealing by issuing licenses to broker-dealers and investment advisers and all of their agents and representatives that do business in the state. In addition to regulating the securities industry, the Division’s mission includes a mandate to help educate and protect Utah’s investors For more information, visit www.utah.securities.gov.