“Kim is a highly respected congressional investigations lawyer with exceptional experience working at the highest levels of government,” said Richard Spehr, the global leader of Mayer Brown’s Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice. “Our clients will greatly benefit from her counsel on navigating complex investigations as well as the financial regulatory and legislative landscape in the United States.”
As chief counsel to Speaker McCarthy, Kim provided strategic guidance to House committees on congressional investigations and oversight, including issuance and enforcement of committee subpoenas to agencies and private parties. She also previously served at the House of Representatives’ Office of General Counsel, where she advised committees on all aspects of congressional investigations and handled litigation arising from subpoena disputes. Kim also represented the House, its members and committees in numerous grand jury, trial, and appellate proceedings on a wide range of other issues arising from official duties, including criminal investigations and constitutional litigation.
In remarks announcing Kim’s departure from the House Office of General Counsel, former Speakers McCarthy and Nancy Pelosi jointly praised her “great integrity and effectiveness,” and highlighted her role on congressional oversight matters and federal court litigation involving “issues of the highest institutional importance.”
From 2019 to 2021, Kim also served as chief counsel to SEC Chairman Jay Clayton, where she oversaw regulatory initiatives across all divisions of the SEC, including the issuance of more than 45 final rules. She also advised on significant legal and policy matters, including cross-border regulation, financial stability risks, major market events, and congressional inquiries.
In addition to her public service, Kim served in the public policy group of a global asset management firm, where she led advocacy and external engagement in the areas of financial stability, corporate governance, and regulatory frameworks impacting mutual funds. She also practiced for over a decade in the litigation department of an international law firm in London and New York, where she advised clients on securities, compliance, antitrust, insurance, regulatory, and internal investigation matters.
“Businesses today must contend with reputational and legal risks across many fronts, particularly concurrent investigations by Congress, state attorneys general, and federal agencies.” said Kim. “My experience will allow me to advise clients on these uniquely complex matters that require both legal expertise and political judgment.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Kim to the DC office. She will further strengthen our ability to represent clients – particularly financial services companies – in congressional investigations and other high-profile governmental actions. She is a great addition to our team,” said Liz Stern, managing partner of Mayer Brown’s Washington DC office, referencing the office’s existing roster of former senior government officials, including Ambassador John Sullivan, former White House National Economic Council Deputy Director Andrew Olmem, former chief of staff to Senator Amy Klobuchar, Jonathan Becker, and former Department of Justice official Adam Hickey.
