News Release
CFP Board Names Leo G. Rydzewski General Counsel
Recognized Legal Professional Appointed to Newly-Created Position
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) announced today that it has appointed Leo G. Rydzewski to the newly-created role of General Counsel.
“I am very pleased to welcome Leo as our new general counsel and member of our executive leadership team,” said CFP Board Chief Executive Officer Kevin R. Keller, CAE. “Hiring someone of his caliber is evidence of CFP Board’s continued commitment to our Standards of Professional Conduct, which is central to our mission to benefit the public. Leo brings extensive legal and management expertise to lead our Professional Standards function and to provide strategic corporate counsel to CFP Board.”
Prior to joining CFP Board, Rydzewski was a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of the global law firm Holland & Knight, were he concentrated on complex commercial litigation, including in the areas of insurance and financial services. Since 2013, Rydzewski has represented CFP Board in defense of claims raised by Jeffrey and Kimberly Camarda. Holland & Knight will continue to serve as counsel to CFP Board in that litigation.
In addition to his extensive legal and management experience as a partner in one of the country’s largest law firms, Rydzewski brings an in-depth understanding of CFP Board’s Standards of Professional Conduct and CFP Board’s investigative and adjudicatory functions. Rydzewski will leverage his legal experience to promote the highest standards of ethical and professional responsibility for the benefit of the public.
During his accomplished career, Rydzewski has been recognized for his significant pro bono contributions to the legal profession. Among other cases, he litigated what was then the largest child welfare class action in the nation, involving children in the State of Florida's dependency and delinquency systems, seeking appropriate mental health services. For his work, he received the Florida Bar President Pro Bono Service Award.
Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Rydzewski served as a law clerk to U.S. District Court Judge Federico A. Moreno, in the Southern District of Florida. He received his Juris Doctor from Florida State University College of Law, where he graduated summa cum laude, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Georgetown University, which later awarded him the William Gaston Award for alumni leadership.
“CFP Board is the recognized standard of excellence in the financial planning profession, playing a vital role in ensuring competent and ethical financial planning advice,” Rydzewski said. “I am excited to join CFP Board’s executive leadership team and to work with Certified Financial Planner™ professionals across the country to advance the interests of consumers and the financial planning profession.”