Enron Trial Prosecutor Joins Latham
Monday, February 5, 2007; Page D05
The second in command at the Justice Department's Enron Task Force has found a new professional home -- the D.C. office of law firm Latham & Watkins.
Kathryn H. Ruemmler, 35, joined Latham as a litigation partner last week, capping an extensive round of offers from law firms and corporate legal departments that began shortly after a Houston jury convicted Enron's former leaders last May.
  Kathryn H. Ruemmler was the Enron Task Force's second in command. (By Dave Einsel -- Getty Images) |
Ruemmler delivered the closing arguments in the case and handled the questioning of several key witnesses who helped prosecutors win convictions against Kenneth L. Lay, the Houston energy company's founder, and Jeffrey K. Skilling, its former chief executive. Lay died of heart disease in July. Skilling is serving a prison sentence of more than 24 years.
Ruemmler previously worked as an assistant U.S. attorney in Washington and an associate White House counsel to President Bill Clinton. She also spent time in private practice at Latham and the Zuckerman Spaeder law firm.
"I loved being a prosecutor but what I like most about the practice of law is helping people with their problems," Ruemmler said. "Returning to private practice will give me the opportunity to do that."
Eric L. Bernthal, the managing partner of Latham's District office, said, "The competition was remarkable for her." It was the second time Bernthal's firm has been a winner in the contest for the three top Enron prosecutors. Task force director Sean M. Berkowitz joined Latham's Chicago office in November.
-- Carrie Johnson
