US: FTC swears in Commissioner and appoints Deputy Director

With Maureen Ohlhausen having departed the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Tuesday, September 25, the FTC announced the swearing in of Christine Wilson as Commissioner on Wednesday in a term that will expire September 25, 2025.

Additionally on Wednesday, the FTC announced the selection of Gail Levine a Deputy Director of the Bureau of Competition, starting October 15, 2018.

Wilson previously served at the FTC as Chairman Tim Muris’ Chief of Staff during the George W. Bush Administration, and as a law clerk in the Bureau of Competition while attending Georgetown University Law Center. In between her periods of service at the FTC, Wilson has practiced competition and consumer protection law both at law firms and as in-house counsel.

Levine will join the Bureau’s other Deputy Directors—Marian Bruno and Ian Conner—and Acting Deputy Director Haidee Schwartz. Her previous experience at the FTC includes serving as an Attorney Advisor to Chairman Deborah Majoras, as Deputy Assistant General Counsel, and as Assistant Director of the Office of Policy Planning. Levine also was a trial lawyer in the Civil Division of the US Department of Justice.

Commissioner Ohlhausen announced her departure from the Federal Trade Commission upon the expiration of her term on Tuesday, September 25. Ohlhausen was sworn in as a Commissioner on April 4, 2012, and served as Acting Chairman of the agency from January 25, 2017 to May 1, 2018. Commissioner Ohlhausen previously served the FTC in various capacities, including four years as the Director of the Office of Policy Planning.

“It has been a great privilege to serve the American people through the different leadership positions I’ve held in this wonderful agency, including my time as Acting Chairman,” Commissioner Ohlhausen said. “I want to thank my fellow Commissioners and the FTC’s talented, hard-working staff, who take on the toughest challenges in protecting consumers, standing up for competition, and understanding the complex issues facing our economy.”

During her tenure as both Commissioner and Acting Chairman, Ohlhausen focused on strong enforcement of the nation’s antitrust and consumer protection laws, including the key priority of safeguarding consumer privacy and data security.

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