Karen M Lynch

As Renzi's chief of staff, Lynch managed his D.C. office and the operations of eight district offices and served as his chief political and policy advisor. During her career she also served as counsel and manager of congressional affairs for the Consumer Bankers Association, and worked closely with members of Congress, congressional staff and federal agency regulators on retail financial services issues for banks, credit card companies and other financial institutions. Lynch also served as a legislative and legal advisor to House Financial Services Committee Chairman Mike Oxley (R-OH), as well as to Republican committee members, on all federal banking legislation. Before coming to Buchanan Ingersoll, Lynch was the chief of staff for Congressman Rick Renzi (R-AZ) of the U.S. House of Representatives. In that capacity she designed and supervised an effective constituent outreach operation and mail program. Prior to that, she served as the regional field director for the Mel Martinez (R-FL) in his successful bid for United States Senate, where she created and managed a successful grassroots field operation for 15 counties, winning 13 in the general election. Lynch acted as the primary liaison between campaign headquarters and area volunteers, local Republican leadership and community leaders. From August 2003 to July 2004, she served as counsel and manager of congressional affairs for the Consumer Bankers Association. Before that, Lynch served as the legislative and legal advisor to House Financial Services Committee Chairman Mike Oxley (R-OH). In 2000, Lynch worked as a regional director of governmental affairs for a diversified $100 billion Fortune 500 financial services company, where she developed and executed a legislative strategy in nine state legislatures. In 1999, she was assistant legal counsel and legislative analyst for the Republican Research & Appropriations Staff of the Illinois House of Representatives, actively advising the House Judiciary-Civil Law Committee. Lynch received her J.D. degree from the Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1997. She earned a B.A. in political science from Loyola University-Chicago in 1994.