Mark A. Patterson
Mark A. Patterson | |
|---|---|
| Born | New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Education | University at Albany, SUNY (BA, 1984); The Catholic University of America (JD, 1990) |
| Occupation(s) | Lobbyist, attorney |
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Known for | Vice president and managing director at Goldman Sachs; Chief of Staff to the United States Secretary of the Treasury; General counsel for Senator Chuck Schumer |
Mark A. Patterson is a prominent American lobbyist who has held key roles including vice president and managing director at Goldman Sachs, as well as serving as Chief of Staff to the United States Secretary of the Treasury. After departing from the law firm Perkins Coie, he was named general counsel for Senator Chuck Schumer in 2018, where he managed investigations and appropriations.
Early life and education
A native of New York City, Patterson completed his undergraduate studies at the University at Albany, SUNY in 1984. He then obtained his J.D. degree from The Catholic University of America in 1990.
Career
Patterson's career began as a special assistant to Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan from 1984 to 1988. He later returned to Moynihan’s office as legislative director between 1993 and 1995. Subsequently, he served as Democratic staff director and chief counsel for the Senate Finance Committee from 1995 until 1999. Between 1999 and 2004, he held the position of policy director for Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle.
In 2004, Patterson entered the private sector by joining Goldman Sachs as vice president, earning promotion to managing director by 2007. He exited the firm in April 2008 to volunteer with the Obama-Biden presidential campaign and played a role in coordinating Senate confirmations during the Obama administration transition. Following President Obama’s inauguration, Patterson was appointed chief of staff to the Treasury Secretary in February 2009, a post he held until 2013 when he was succeeded under Secretary Jack Lew.
After his service at Treasury, Patterson became a partner at Perkins Coie’s Washington, D.C. office before transitioning to serve as general counsel for Senator Schumer starting in May 2018.
Personal life
Patterson is married to Jennifer S. Leete, who previously worked as an assistant director within the Enforcement Division of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. As of 2022, she is a partner at the newly established Washington, D.C. branch of Cravath, Swaine & Moore, a New York-based law firm. This office is headed by Jelena McWilliams, former FDIC chair, and includes Elad Roisman, who has served as SEC commissioner and acting chair. Patterson holds bar admissions for both the District of Columbia and the Supreme Court of the United States.