WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Acting Chairman Maureen K. Ohlhausen has appointed Thomas Pahl as acting director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.
Pahl comes to the FTC from the Washington, D.C., law firm of Arnall Golden Gregory LLP. As a partner there, Pahl worked on consumer financial protection issues. Prior to that, he spent time as a detail to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee under Orrin Hatch and as an adjunct professor of law at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School.
Pahl was previously at the FTC in a number of roles starting in 1990. His early tenure included management stints in the Bureau of Consumer Protection as assistant director in the Division of Advertising Practices and the Division of Financial Practices.
Pahl earned his B.A. in Economics from the College of St. Thomas and his law degree from Northwestern University School of Law.
“Tom’s career demonstrates his continuing commitment to protecting consumers through active enforcement and advocacy that promotes a free and honest marketplace,” Ohlhausen said. “His thoughtful approach will help ensure consumers benefit from thriving competition and innovation. Tom’s talent, deep consumer protection experience, and strong principles make him perfect to lead the Bureau of Consumer Protection, and I’m very pleased to have him aboard.”