WASHINGTON, D.C. — Hudson Cook LLP, a leading provider of legal compliance services for the financial services industry, recently said it has added a new attorney to its team.

Jean Noonan, managing partner of the Washington, D.C. office, announced that attorney Karen Leonard has come on board.

Noonan indicated Leonard will focus on fair credit reporting and fair-lending matters, in addition to telemarketing, e-commerce and compliance issues for the financial services industry. 

Tom Hudson, chair of Hudson Cook, noted "Every day our clients ask us to explain the federal and state laws and regulations that govern the consumer financial services business. 

"The lawyers in our firm are dedicated to helping clients understand the law as well as the trends that are likely to mature into real issues tomorrow. Karen Leonard will significantly strengthen our ability to continue to provide the service our clients expect," he continued. 

Leonard comes to Hudson Cook from the Federal Trade Commission, where she served as counsel to the director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection. She advised the director on proposed litigation, regulatory and policy matters, developing materials that articulated the agency's position certain matters and working with the commissioners, bureau divisions and other agency offices. 

Moreover, she also served as staff attorney, investigating and prosecuting cases involving unfair and deceptive acts and practices against consumers, and participated in the extensive review and revision of the FTC's Telemarketing Sales Rule and the creation of the National Do Not Call Registry. 

Before joining the FTC, Leonard was in private practice in Philadelphia for two years, where she also clerked for Ronald Buckwalter, U. S. district court judge for the eastern district of Pennsylvania. 

Officials also noted that she is a member of the American Bar Association's Consumer Financial Services committee and a member of the Washington, D.C., bar.

For information on the law firm or its related publishing company, call Tom Hudson at (410) 865-5411 or Jean Noonan at (202) 327-9700. Information can also be obtained online at www.hudco.com and www.counselorlibrary.com.