History of Kathryn Ruemmler in Timeline

Kathryn Ruemmler is an attorney who served as Principal Deputy White House Counsel and later as White House Counsel under President Barack Obama. After her time in the White House, she became a partner at Latham and Watkins, co-chairing the white-collar defense group. In 2020, Ruemmler joined Goldman Sachs as a Partner and Global Head of Regulatory Affairs. She was subsequently promoted to Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel in 2021.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

April 19, 1971: Kathryn Ruemmler Born

Kathryn H. Ruemmler was born on April 19, 1971.

Others born on this day/year

1996: Clerked for Judge Timothy K. Lewis

In 1996, Kathryn Ruemmler clerked for Judge Timothy K. Lewis on the Third Circuit.

1997: Clerked for Judge Timothy K. Lewis

In 1997, Kathryn Ruemmler clerked for Judge Timothy K. Lewis on the Third Circuit.

2000: Associate Counsel to President Clinton

In 2000, Kathryn Ruemmler became Associate Counsel to President Clinton.

2001: Associate Counsel to President Clinton and Federal Prosecutor

In 2001, Kathryn Ruemmler was Associate Counsel to President Clinton and became a federal prosecutor.

2006: Closing Argument in Enron Trial

In 2006, Kathryn Ruemmler delivered the government's closing argument in the trial of former Enron executives Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling, both of whom were convicted.

2007: Left Federal Prosecutor Position

In 2007, Kathryn Ruemmler left her position as a federal prosecutor, finishing as a deputy director of DOJ's Enron Task Force.

2007: Returned to Latham as Partner

In 2007, Kathryn Ruemmler returned to Latham in Washington, D.C., this time as a partner.

January 2009: Joined Obama Administration

In January 2009, Kathryn Ruemmler joined the Obama Administration as principal associate deputy attorney general at the Justice Department.

2009: Energy Department decision on loan guarantee

In 2009, the Energy Department decided to grant Solyndra a $535 million loan guarantee.

October 2011: Solyndra Loan Guarantee Statement

In October 2011, Kathryn Ruemmler stated there was no evidence of White House intervention in Solyndra's loan guarantee to benefit a campaign donor. She refused to allow the House Energy and Commerce Committee access to internal White House communications regarding the $535 million loan guarantee.

2011: House Blocks Recess Appointment

Over the 2011-2012 winter recess of the 112th Congress, the House of Representatives blocked a recess appointment of Richard Cordray's as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, leading to pro forma sessions.

January 4, 2012: Obama Appoints Cordray

On January 4, 2012, President Obama claimed authority to appoint Richard Cordray as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau under the Recess Appointments Clause. Ruemmler asserted that the appointments were valid. This action was disputed by Republicans, leading to the expectation of a legal challenge.

January 6, 2012: DOJ Opinion on Recess Appointments

On January 6, 2012, the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel issued an opinion stating that pro forma sessions do not interrupt an intrasession recess, giving the President discretion to make recess appointments.

June 2012: Notification of Obamacare Ruling

In June 2012, after National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius, Kathryn Ruemmler informed President Obama and Jack Lew that the administration's Obamacare legislation had been upheld.

May 2013: Release of Benghazi Emails

In May 2013, after weeks of controversy, the Obama administration shifted course and released emails regarding the Benghazi talking points after Kathryn Ruemmler decided that intelligence panels could review the e-mails without taking copies.

May 2014: Stepping Down as White House Counsel

In May 2014, Kathryn Ruemmler announced that she would be stepping down as White House Counsel.

July 2014: Began Association with Jeffrey Epstein

From July 2014, after departing her White House counsel position, Kathryn Ruemmler, while employed as a partner at Latham and Watkins, met with Jeffrey Epstein on dozens of occasions.

July 2014: Returned to Private Practice

In July 2014, Kathryn Ruemmler returned to private practice.

September 2014: Speculation as Attorney General Candidate

In September 2014, after Attorney General Eric Holder announced his intention to step down, Kathryn Ruemmler was speculated as a potential candidate for the position.

2014: Email correspondence with Epstein

From 2014 Kathryn Ruemmler was in frequent email correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein.

December 2015: Email exchange with Epstein

In December 2015, an email exchange shows Kathryn Ruemmler calling Jeffrey Epstein "wonderful Jeffrey" and writing "I adore him". The emails also indicate Epstein booked and paid for her first-class trip to Europe.

2015: Scheduled flight to Paris with Epstein

In 2015, Kathryn Ruemmler was scheduled for a flight to Paris with Jeffrey Epstein, though she has denied that this trip happened.

2017: Scheduled stop at Epstein's home

In 2017, Kathryn Ruemmler was scheduled for a stop at Jeffrey Epstein's home in the U.S. Virgin Islands, though she has denied that this trip happened.

2018: Email correspondence with Epstein

Until 2018 Kathryn Ruemmler was in frequent email correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein.

January 2019: Named in Epstein's will

In January 2019 Kathryn Ruemmler was listed as a backup executor in Jeffrey Epstein's will.

May 2019: Ended Association with Jeffrey Epstein

In May 2019, Kathryn Ruemmler's association with Jeffrey Epstein ended.

2020: Joined Goldman Sachs

In 2020, Kathryn Ruemmler became a Partner and Global Head of Regulatory Affairs at Goldman Sachs.

2021: Named to FINRA Board of Governors

In 2021, Kathryn Ruemmler was named to the FINRA Board of Governors in a part-time position.

2021: Promotion at Goldman Sachs

In 2021, Kathryn Ruemmler was promoted to Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel at Goldman Sachs.

2021: Promotion to Chief Legal Officer

In 2021, Kathryn Ruemmler was promoted to Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel at Goldman Sachs.

2023: Regret about knowing Epstein

In 2023, Kathryn Ruemmler stated, "I regret ever knowing Jeffrey Epstein."

September 8, 2025: Listed as Backup Executor in Epstein's Will

On September 8, 2025, a disclosure from Congress revealed that Kathryn Ruemmler was listed as a backup executor in a January 2019 version of Jeffrey Epstein’s will.

November 2025: Email Correspondence Revealed

In November 2025, emails released by the House Oversight Committee revealed frequent email correspondence between Kathryn Ruemmler and Jeffrey Epstein from 2014 to 2018.

February 12, 2026: Resignation from Goldman Sachs

On February 12, 2026, Kathryn Ruemmler resigned from her position as Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel at Goldman Sachs due to links with Jeffrey Epstein.