Effective January 22, 2006, Laura Richards was appointed Deputy General Counsel, Opinions and Review Section. Ms. Richards has served as the Acting Deputy Director of the Opinions and Review Section since December 26, 2004, and has provided strong leadership in preparing opinions, orders, and settlements in aiding the Commission’s performance of its adjudicatory responsibilities. Ms. Richards began her career at the CFTC as Deputy Chief of the former Opinions Section, OGC, on May 8, 1988. Her breadth of experience and knowledge of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and CFTC rules and regulations will be invaluable assets as she brings matters before the Commission pursuant to the CEA. Laura was in private practice for five years, with Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and, subsequently, Arnold & Porter, concentrating on legal matters associated with complex corporate transactions and regulatory banking matters. She received her law degree from Howard University Law School, Washington, D.C., and her undergraduate degree in Journalism from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL. She is admitted to practice in Washington, D.C.
In addition, Elizabeth Ritter was appointed Deputy General Counsel, Legislation and Intergovernmental Affairs. Ms. Ritter has served in various capacities within the CFTC since 1989, including Reauthorization Act Manager, where she was responsible for planning and executing the implementation of the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000 (CFMA). Throughout her career at the CFTC, she also held appointments in the Office of the Chairman, Offices of Commissioners, the Division of Enforcement, the Division of Trading and Markets, and the Office of Proceedings. Her experience in these areas will serve the CFTC well as she provides legal advice and counsel on reauthorization and other key strategic issues affecting the CFTC. Ms. Ritter received her law degree from The George Washington University Law School, Washington, D.C., and her undergraduate degree in Political Science from The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. She is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.
