What is the SEC Office of the Whistleblower?

The SEC Office of the Whistleblower is a department of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) created to administer the SEC’s whistleblower program, which was created under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

Updated by Joseph Orr

July 1, 2026

What is the SEC Office of the Whistleblower
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This information is provided for educational purposes only by Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is on by accessing this content. Laws and regulations may change, and this material may not reflect the most current legal developments. If you believe you have a whistleblower claim, consult a qualified attorney to discuss your specific circumstances.

The SEC Office of the Whistleblower is a department of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on to administer the SEC’s whistleblower program. This program, on under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and signed into law in 2010, encourages individuals to report violations of federal securities laws.

The Office of the Whistleblower provides financial awards to whistleblowers who voluntarily provide original information that leads to successful enforcement actions resulting in monetary sanctions of over $1 million. Whistleblowers may be eligible to receive between 10% and 30% of the total sanctions collected, which depends on the quality of information provided.

In addition to awards, the office provides protection against retaliation for individuals who report securities law violations. They also process whistleblower tips and complaints, track ongoing investigations and enforcement actions, and communicate directly with whistleblowers or their lawyers throughout the entire whistleblowing process.

The main goal of the office is to detect, deter, and prosecute securities law violations, protect investors, and promote market integrity. By incentivizing individuals to report misconduct, the office aims to uncover and address securities law violations that might otherwise go undetected, ultimately safeguarding the financial markets, investors, and other participants.

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Joseph Orr

Joseph Orr

Joseph Orr is a partner and Chief Marketing Officer at Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto, one of the world's leading whistleblower law firms. He brings nearly a decade of experience as a whistleblower policy researcher and legal marketing consultant, with a focus on U.S. and international whistleblower law, regulatory enforcement trends, and legislative developments.

Joseph writes for International Whistleblower Advocates (IWA), where his work covers legal protections for whistleblowers across SEC, CFTC, IRS, FinCEN, and False Claims Act programs. His research and commentary have appeared in Whistleblower Network News and publications of the National Whistleblower Center, and his content initiatives have helped expand public awareness of whistleblower rights globally.

Prior to his focus on whistleblower law and advocacy, Joseph spent nearly a decade in strategic brand communications, working alongside Hayes Roth, former Global CMO of Landor Associates, developing expertise in research methodology, audience analysis, and persuasive content strategy.

Areas of Expertise

  • U.S. whistleblower programs: SEC, CFTC, IRS, FinCEN, False Claims Act / Qui Tam
  • International whistleblower legislation and EU Directive compliance
  • Legal research and legislative analysis
  • Search marketing and content strategy for law firms

Credentials

  • B.A., Business Administration — College of Charleston, South Carolina
  • Principal, Joseph Orr & Associates LLC
  • Based in New York, NY

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