OCC Names Karen Solomon as Deputy Chief Counsel

WASHINGTON — The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) announced today the selection of Karen Solomon as Deputy Chief Counsel. Ms. Solomon succeeds Jeff Gillespie, who is retiring later this year. Ms. Solomon will report to Chief Counsel Julie Williams.

In her new role, Ms. Solomon will oversee three divisions in the Law Department – Legislative and Regulatory Activities, Bank Activities and Structure, and Securities and Corporate Practices. She will partner with Deputy Chief Counsel Dan Stipano, who will continue to oversee the Enforcement and Compliance, Litigation, Community and Consumer Law, and Administrative and Internal law divisions in the Chief Counsel's Office.

"Karen brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her new position," said Ms. Williams. "She's a great lawyer and strategic thinker, and an outstanding manager, and she has an in-depth knowledge of the laws governing national banks. I have had the pleasure of working with Karen for many years, and she brings remarkable talents to her new position."

Ms. Solomon joined the OCC in 1995 as a Special Counsel, and played a major role in the OCC's Regulation Review Project. She next served as Assistant Director of the Legislative and Regulatory Activities Division and was promoted to Director in 1996.

Prior to the OCC, Ms. Solomon was a Deputy Chief Counsel at the Office of Thrift Supervision with responsibility for managing the Regulations and Legislation Division.

Ms. Solomon received her J.D. degree cum laude from the Catholic University of America, Washington, DC.