Sheila Anthony Begins Term at Federal Trade Commission

Sheila Foster Anthony has been sworn in as a Commissioner on the Federal Trade Commission, and begins at the agency today. President Clinton named Anthony, a Democrat, to a term that expires in September 2002. She was confirmed unanimously by the Senate on September 24.

The FTC deals with issues that touch the economic lives of most Americans. Created in 1914, the agency's purpose was to preserve the free market by policing anti-competitive "trusts" or business monopolies. In the 1930's, the FTC was given authority to protect consumers from business scams and false or misleading advertising. The agency enforces more than 30 laws and numerous rules prohibiting unfair or deceptive practices or methods of competition.

Ms. Anthony most recently served in the Clinton administration as Assistant Attorney General for Legislative Affairs at the Department of Justice. She was the primary point of contact between the Attorney General and the United States Congress. Prior to joining the Clinton Administration, she practiced law with the Washington, D.C. firm of Dow, Lohnes & Albertson, where she focused on intellectual property matters, principally trademark and Lanham Act issues.

Anthony received her law degree in 1985 from the Washington College of Law, American University in Washington, D.C. She attended Randolph-Macon Woman's College in Lynchburg, Virginia, and is a 1962 graduate of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

Anthony, an Arkansas native, is married to former member of Congress, Beryl Anthony, and has two children and two grandchildren.