Holland & Knight issued the following announcement on Jan. 9.
Holland & Knight has expanded its Public Policy & Regulatory Practice Group with the addition of Kara Ward as a partner in the firm's Washington, D.C., office. Ms. Ward focuses on financial services and the housing finance market. Previously, she was with Venable in Washington.
Ms. Ward has experience with issues related to housing finance reform, insurance, consumer financial services, payment systems and community economic development. She provides various financial service companies and trade groups with policy analysis and strategic advice to advance their business objectives on Capitol Hill and in the executive branch. She works with various committees and government agencies including 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 the Federal Reserve.
Prior to entering private practice, Ms. Ward was an attorney with the Treasury Department during the economic crisis and focused on, among other topics, the creation of the Federal Insurance Office, the Financial Stability Oversight Council, funding for small business development and other federal grant programs.
"The addition of Kara to our team further expands our financial services regulatory capabilities and positions us well as the new Congress is sworn in," said Rich Gold, the leader of Holland & Knight's Public Policy & Regulation Group. "Our financial services clients will find her combination of federal government and private practice experience of great help in achieving their legislative, regulatory and policy goals."
"With one of the top policy teams in Washington and a significant presence in the financial services industry, Holland & Knight is the perfect fit for my practice," said Ms. Ward. "The fact that housing finance is a major focus of the firm also was a key factor in my decision to make the move."
Ms. Ward received a J.D. degree from George Washington University Law School and a B.A. degree from Georgetown University.
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