NEW YORK (Reuters) -James Moloney, a long-time corporate securities lawyer and former official at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, has been tapped to lead its corporation finance division, the agency said in a statement on Wednesday.

Moloney fills one of the last key senior positions under Republican chair Paul Atkins, who has announced sweeping changes to favor the digital assets industry since taking office in April. Meg Ryan, a military judge, was named enforcement director last month.

In a statement, Atkins called Moloney a "seasoned professional" and said a priority was to alleviate burdens of disclosure on companies.

In a regulatory agenda unveiled last week, the SEC said it planned to develop regulations to "rationalize" disclosure requirements for companies. Moloney replaces acting director Cicely LaMothe, who will resume her role as deputy director. 

Moloney previously served at the SEC from 1994 to 2000, in its mergers and acquisitions office and the Division of Corporation Finance.

He later joined the law firm Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, where he helped lead the securities regulation and corporate governance practice, according to the SEC.