Mary Louise Preis, Esq. - The Platt Group, Inc

Mary Louise Preis, Esquire is currently engaged in the private mediation and arbitration of civil disputes as well as the facilitation of the resolution of corporate and public policy issues. M’s Preis brings broad experience in both corporate and government service and with a high level of expertise in federal and state financial regulatory matters and risk management to these endeavors. She is widely acknowledged for her leadership capabilities working with diverse audiences including government officials, constituents, community stakeholders, and business leaders. She has an extensive background in law and has been elected and appointed to public service roles for over twenty years. She is recognized for superior business judgment, financial acumen, initiating organization-wide innovation, and a proven track record of success as a negotiator and mediator who champions long-term sustainable solutions through collaborative efforts. Ms. Preis balances strategic direction with effective execution while maintaining the highest degree of professional integrity and personal excellence which she will bring to the resolution of business disputes for clients.

Mary Louise Preis’s background and experience as a former Citigroup General Counsel of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs for the Consumer Finance North America, a member of the Board of Directors of Citicorp Trust Bank and as Chair of the Board of Citigroup Trust Bank-Delaware uniquely qualifies her to facilitate the resolution of both internal and external disputes involving corporate, governmental and community organizations regionally and nationwide.

Add to this M’s Preis’s experience as Maryland’s Commissioner of Financial Regulation for five years and you have an experienced, knowledgeable Neutral capable of mediating, arbitrating and neutrally evaluating the most complex corporate banking and financial issues, cases and controversies presented.

Finally completing Mary Louise Preis’s qualifications by noting her private law practice where she specialized in corporate and real estate transactions and family law matters and you have a wealth of knowledge and talent which can be brought to the table to aid in the resolution of your family or business disputes.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

CITIGROUP, New York, NY	2003-2008
Member, Board of Directors, Citicorp Trust Bank	2005-2008
Chair, Board of Directors, Citigroup Trust-Delaware, N.A.	2006-2008
Vice President for Community Relations, Baltimore – Washington Region (Retired)	2006-2008

Oversaw grant process for $2.3 Million annually through Citigroup Foundation and Citigroup business units.

Supported civic activities and community organization relationships in Baltimore and throughout the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.
Managed compliance of the Community Reinvestment Act in region.

General Counsel, Corporate & Regulatory Affairs, Consumer Finance North America

2003-2006

Provided legal support with a staff of 6 attorneys and 10 professionals to four consumer finance companies, including one thrift subsidiary, in areas of regulatory compliance and supervision.

Led successful response to Federal Reserve Bank of New York Cease and Desist Order to provide enhanced compliance, created a remedial measures program approved by the FRBNY, managed on site FRBNY examinations in home office and field during 18 months, produced quarterly reporting on the remedial program beginning in June 2004 through 2006.
Revised state licensing operation by creating a comprehensive database and increasing staffing and training to service more than 10,000 licenses of various types held by Citigroup’s consumer finance company in 48 states.
Participated in the design and taught Citigroup’s corporate wide training program on regulatory relationship management.
Managed executive complaint responses to provide more timely and complete responses to regulators.

MARYLAND OFFICE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION, Baltimore, MD

1999-2003

Commissioner Financial Regulation

Oversaw regulatory policy and execution of regulations for 81 state-chartered banks and credit unions and supervised over 5000 mortgage lenders and other financial service licensees. Managed a $4.5 Million budget and a staff of 76 bank and mortgage examiners as well as the licensing and consumer complaint staff.

Increased consumer access to financial education and information by convening and leading a group of business leaders, educators, state and federal regulators to form the Maryland Coalition for Financial Literacy, which continues its mandate as part of the Maryland Council on Economic Education.
Provided consumer problem solving for thousands of complaints annually.
Implemented new regulations governing financial service providers: check cashers and debt management services.

MARYLAND HOUSE OF DELEGATES, Annapolis, MD

1991-1998

Delegate representing Harford County
Elected to two terms. Committee service included:
House Judiciary Committee, 1992-1997
Chair, Gaming Subcommittee, 1995-1997

Championed significant court reform by establishing a statewide Commission to analyze and develop actionable reforms to improve the operation of the court system including the introduction of alternate dispute resolution.

House Appropriations Committee, 1997-1998
Vice Chair, Joint Legislative Committee, Oversight and Review of State Agency Regulations, 1996-1998

PRIVATE LAW PRACTICE

1991-1998

Attorney

Specialized in corporate and real estate transactions, family law including mediation of family/divorce issues, and estates.

OFFICE OF MARYLAND ATTORNEY GENERAL, Baltimore, MD

1984-1990

Assistant Attorney General

Served as Counsel to University of Maryland system for employment issues, revenue bond offerings, real estate transactions, procurement and general counsel on various legal issues.

LOYOLA HIGH SCHOOL BLAKEFIELD, Towson, MD

1979-1980

Director of Development

ADMISSIONS:

Maryland Courts

U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

EDUCATION:

Mediation Training, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 1993

Leadership Program, Greater Baltimore Committee 1988

J.D., with honor, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 1983

M.S., with distinction, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 1967
Georgetown University Scholar
Woodrow Wilson Fellow

Diplome, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France 1965

B.A., cum laude, Fontbonne University, St. Louis, MO 1963

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Hopkins Lifetime Service Award 2008

Distinguished Women Award, Girl Scouts of Central Maryland 2008

Clementine Peterson Volunteer Award, United Way of Central Maryland 2002

“Circle of Excellence,” Top 100 Women in Maryland, Daily Record 1998, 2000 & 2002

Outstanding Service Award, Maryland Bar Association 1995

Volunteer of the Year, Maryland Volunteer Network 1994

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:

Member, Maryland Racing Commission, Gubernatorial Appointee 2008-2016

Secretary, Board of Directors, Women Legislators of Maryland Foundation 2006-2011

Member, Wrangles Law Club 2003-2015

Elected Member, Board of Directors, National Conference of State Bank Supervisors 2001-2003

Executive Committee, Maryland Coalition for Financial Literacy 1998-Present

Member, Commission on the Future of Maryland Courts 1996-1998

Member, Maryland Bar Association Editorial Advisory Board 1987-2008

Founding Member, Board of Directors, Bank of Maryland, 1985-1990

Member, Maryland Bar Association 1984-Present

COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS:

Member, Board of Directors, Mercy Health Services, Inc., Baltimore, MD 2008 – Present

Member Board of Directors Catholic Charities of Maryland 2014 – Present

Member Executive Committee of Maryland Hospital Association 2016 – Present

Member, Board of Trustees, College of Notre Dame of Maryland, Baltimore MD 2002-2009
Member, Finance & Audit Committee, 2002-2005

Member, Board of Directors, Girl Scouts of Central Maryland, Baltimore, MD 2001-2004
Chair, Finance & Investment Committee, 2003-2004
Member, Finance & Investment Committee, 2003-2007

Member, Board of Trustees, Harford Community College, Bel Air, MD 1978-1988
Board Chair, 1984-1986