Legal Division

The Legal Division provides the Bureau with legal advice about the work and operations of the agency.

The Division includes a front office and three program offices: (1) Office of General Law and Ethics, (2) Office of Law and Policy, and (3) Office of Litigation and Oversight.

Mary McLeod, General Counsel

The general counsel serves as the Bureau's chief legal officer and principal legal advisor to the director and Bureau's divisions and offices. The general counsel is the head of the Legal Division and oversees its four offices.

Richard Lepley

Richard Lepley, Principal Deputy General Counsel

The principal deputy general counsel assists the general counsel, serves on inter-office boards and committees, and manages the front office, which provides operations support to the Legal Division.

Division offices

General Law & Ethics

Sonya White, Deputy General Counsel

The Office of General Law and Ethics advises the Bureau on legal issues related to all areas of general and administrative law and represents the Bureau in administrative litigation in labor, employment, and procurement bid protests. The Ethics Office within GLE manages the Bureau’s government ethics program.

Stephen Van Meter

Law & Policy

Stephen Van Meter, Deputy General Counsel

The Office of Law and Policy advises the Bureau on authorities and jurisdiction, the interpretation of federal consumer financial statutes and regulations, and matters of administrative law.

Litigation & Oversight

John Coleman, Deputy General Counsel

The Office of Litigation and Oversight represents the Bureau in all defensive and appellate litigation and advises the Director and the Bureau components on issues presenting legal and other risks. The office also helps to manage the Bureau’s responses to oversight authorities.