A White House counsel known for her shoes

It may say more about Washington than White House counsel Kathryn Ruemmler that she’s known in the West Wing for her fabulous shoes.

Ruemmler first attracted attention for her glam heels as a Justice Department prosecutor trying Enron executives Ken Lay and Jeffrey Skilling in 2006, when she sported what The Wall Street Journal described as "stunning 4-inch bright pink stiletto spikes."

A legal affairs blog "Above The Law," called her a "star litigatrix" as a result. "Litigatrix indeed," the blog wrote. "Just because you work for the DOJ doesn’t mean you have to shop at DSW."

Now, she wears Manolo Blahniks and Christian Louboutins into the Oval Office.

One of Ruemmler's pairs has a jeweled paisley pattern; another is black and strappy. We tried to get a photo from the White House showing one of these exceptional pairs; instead we got this shot of her in a senior staff meeting with the president, revealing a conventional pair of heels.

When White House Council of Economic Advisers chairman Alan B. Krueger briefs the senior staff on how consumer confidence has risen, according to White House communications director Jennifer Palmieri, aides routinely inquire whether Ruemmer has gone shopping.

“Her shoe buying can move markets,” Palmieri quipped.