After serving as one of the key leaders driving consumer protection enforcement at the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the current and past administrations, Rebecca Unruh brings an exceptional depth of experience shaped by more than two decades in public service and private practice. As Deputy Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection (BCP) for the past five years, she is a trusted, go-to advisor to companies across industries navigating consumer protection compliance. Drawing on 15 years of increasingly senior leadership roles at the FTC, Ms. Unruh’s unparalleled insight into the agency’s priorities and processes, as well as her deep knowledge of consumer protection law, helps clients facing government investigations and enforcement matters involving the FTC, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Department of Justice, bank regulatory agencies, and state attorneys general. 

As BCP’s Deputy Director, Ms. Unruh played a central role in major policy and enforcement decisions, including rulemaking oversight, approval of investigations, review of enforcement and settlement recommendations, and litigation strategy. Having worked closely with and earned the respect of FTC Commissioners, political leadership, and career staff under both Republican and Democratic administrations, she brings clients a unique understanding of how consumer protection regulators identify priorities, evaluate investigations, and approach enforcement actions. Her years of leadership  coordinating between the FTC’s headquarters and regional offices nationwide, including working with state attorneys general, also gives her valuable perspective both inside and outside the Beltway. 

Prior to serving as Deputy Director, Ms. Unruh held several senior leadership positions within BCP, including Assistant Director for Regional Operations, Counsel to the Bureau Director, and Acting Chief of Staff and Senior Attorney in the Division of Financial Practices. As a Senior Attorney, she investigated and litigated enforcement matters involving consumer lending, mobile payments, debt relief, debt collection, and other financial products and services, earning her the Bureau Director’s Award for individual excellence. Ms. Unruh has extensive experience with the FTC Act and numerous federal consumer protection statutes and regulations including ROSCA, the Unfair or Deceptive Fees Rule, the Consumer Reviews and Testimonials Rule, the Consumer Review Fairness Act, COPPA, the Telemarketing Sales Rule, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Truth in Lending Act, the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, and the INFORM Act. 

Before joining the FTC, Ms. Unruh was in private practice for eight years, where her work included complex civil litigation, internal investigations, government investigations, and Directors and Officers (D&O) liability insurance matters. She also held government relations and staff legislative roles at the American Bankers Association and in the US Senate. 

Ms. Unruh currently serves as Vice Chair of the Consumer Protection Committee of the ABA Antitrust Law Section.