Federal government and private practice experience focusing on housing finance market
Washington, DC (September 21, 2016) – Venable LLP announced today that policy advocate Kara M. Ward has joined the firm's Legislative and Government Affairs Group in Washington, DC as counsel. Ms. Ward joins Venable from K&L Gates.
Ms. Ward's practice focuses on financial services and the housing finance market. She has experience with issues related to insurance, consumer financial services, payment systems, and community economic development. Representing various financial service companies and trade group clients, she provides policy analysis and strategic advice to advance their business objectives on Capitol Hill and in the Executive Branch. She frequently works on issues involving the House Financial Services Committee, Senate Banking Committee, Treasury Department, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Federal Housing Finance Agency, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Federal Reserve.
Ms. Ward began her career as an attorney advisor with the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s General Counsel's office in the Banking and Finance division. She also served as assistant general counsel for Legal Services Corporation, the largest U.S. funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans.
"Kara knows how to get things done and will be an effective advocate on and off the Hill. Her background in government, mixed with her recent experience, will be a tremendous asset to our clients, and we’re thrilled about the skills she brings to our team," said former U.S. Senator Mark L. Pryor, Chair of Venable's Legislative and Government Affairs practice.
Added Jeffrey D. Knowles, Chair of the firm's Government Division, "Not only does Kara have a solid grasp of public policy, particularly in the housing finance market, but she understands what it takes to navigate the hurdles and roadblocks of Washington's financial services regulators."
"Venable is well regarded for the strength of its legislative affairs work and for building strong relationships on both sides of the aisle," said Ms. Ward. "The firm's deep bench in the consumer finance and real estate industries was a big draw and one that will be a huge benefit to my clients."
At Venable, Ms. Ward joins a bipartisan team that includes former U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-MI), former Secretary of Transportation James H. Burnley, IV, former NHTSA Administrator David L. Strickland, and several veteran Capitol Hill legislative staffers and policy advisors from both sides of the aisle. National Law Journal named the group one of the top 20 lobbying firms in its most recent "Influence 50" rankings.
Ms. Ward earned her J.D. from George Washington University Law School in 2008 and a B.A. cum laude from Georgetown University in 2004.
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Venable LLP is an American Lawyer Global 100 law firm headquartered in Washington, DC, with offices in California, Delaware, Maryland, New York, and Virginia. The firm has more than 600 attorneys who serve domestic and international clients in all areas of corporate and business law, complex litigation, intellectual property, regulatory matters, and government affairs. For more information, visit www.venable.com.