Thomas B. Leary Confirmed as Federal Trade Commissioner

Thomas B. Leary was confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate on November 10, 1999, as a Commissioner on the Federal Trade Commission to a term that expires in September, 2005.

The FTC enforces federal laws and rules prohibiting unfair or deceptive trade practice or methods of competition. It was created in 1914 and has five Commissioners.

Mr. Leary has been a partner in Hogan & Hartson, a law firm based in Washington, D.C., since 1983. His practice is principally in the area of antitrust and trade regulation. Prior to becoming a partner at Hogan & Hartson, Mr. Leary was the Assistant General Counsel of General Motors, with overall responsibility for antitrust and commercial law matters. Before joining General Motors, he was a partner in a New York law firm.

His experience includes the trial of major cases in the federal district courts, the FTC and other agencies, as well as the prosecution of appeals. He has counseled major corporations in all areas of antitrust and trade regulation law and actively participated in major cases involving complex economic issues including securities and tax litigation.

Mr. Leary has published a number of articles on antitrust law, attorney-client privilege, and corporate compliance programs. He received an undergraduate degree in economics from Princeton University and a law degree from Harvard Law School where he was an editor and an officer of the Harvard Law Review.

Mr. Leary resides in Washington, D.C.