Helen Eikenberry
Gaithersburg,MD
Summary
Experienced ethics and compliance attorney with a strong record of leadership in federal regulatory environments. Trusted advisor to senior agency leadership and legal teams, with expertise in financial disclosures, conflict-of-interest analysis, team management, and policy implementation. Adept at leading cross-functional initiatives and building systems to ensure regulatory compliance under pressure.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Ethics Advice Attorney
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
06.2021 - Current
- Company Overview: Office of General Counsel – Washington, DC
- Managed high-volume ethics reviews for senior officials, political appointees, and legal staff, including pre-clearances for complex OGE Form 278 disclosures
- Led the reinstatement and modernization of FDA's 278 Oversight Program; developed standardized tools and checklists adopted across the agency
- Co-led multi-year ethics workflow reform in coordination with OEI, improving Certificate of Divestiture (CD) processes and inter-agency communication
- Advised the FDA Commissioner's Office on Hatch Act compliance, foreign gifts, and event participation; completed reviews on tight deadlines
- Delivered ethics training to 100+ FDA employees, including bootcamps, internal legal team presentations, and political appointee briefings
- Mentored junior attorneys and acted as interim team lead; reviewed ethics questions, delegated cases, and ensured continuity of operations
- Office of General Counsel – Washington, DC
Attorney Advisor
U.S. Small Business Administration
05.2020 - 06.2021
- Company Overview: Office of Disaster Assistance
- Supervised a legal team of 20 attorneys and paralegals during COVID-19 disaster loan processing
- Investigated fraud risk and coordinated referrals to the Office of Inspector General
- Provided legal interpretations of evolving SBA loan policies to management and staff
- Drafted legal memoranda regarding loan eligibility, employee conduct, and documentation compliance
- Handled congressional inquiries and created training resources for onboarding new legal staff
- Office of Disaster Assistance
Attorney
Thomas Fountain & Associates
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Company Overview: The Woodlands, TX
- Led drafting of legal memoranda and policy interpretation in commercial insurance matters
- Mentored legal staff and coordinated document review workflows in support of litigation strategy
- Advised senior attorneys on policy exclusions, duty-to-defend, and coverage interpretations
- Supported negotiation and settlement efforts through documentation analysis and case preparation
- The Woodlands, TX
Attorney Advisor & Team Lead
U.S. Small Business Administration
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Company Overview: Office of Disaster Assistance
- Led team of 12 attorneys/paralegals supporting loan closings and disbursements for disaster relief programs
- Delivered training on loan documentation and regulatory compliance for new attorneys
- Conducted QA reviews of loan files, ensuring adherence to SOPs and legal requirements
- Researched state-specific legal frameworks and provided guidance on trusts, leases, collateral, and UCC compliance
- Developed standard language and checklists for use by SBA legal teams
- Office of Disaster Assistance
Education
J.D. -
Syracuse University College of Law
Syracuse New York05.2016
M.A. - International Relations
Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs
Syracuse New York05.2016
B.A. - International Relations and Sociology
Austin College
Sherman, TX05.2013
Skills
- Ethics Compliance
- Conflict of Interest Review
- Financial Disclosure
- Regulatory Interpretation
- Policy Development
- Federal Law
- Team Leadership
- Legal Research & Writing
Bar Admissions
- New York
- Texas
Legal Internships And Early Roles
- Legal Intern (Ethics & FOIA), U.S. Department of Energy, Office of General Counsel
- Diplomatic Intern, Kurdistan Regional Government, U.S. Office
- Crime Base Matrix Captain, Syrian Accountability Project
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
German
Limited Working
Timeline
Ethics Advice Attorney
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
06.2021 - Current
Attorney Advisor
U.S. Small Business Administration
05.2020 - 06.2021
Attorney
Thomas Fountain & Associates
01.2019 - 01.2020
Attorney Advisor & Team Lead
U.S. Small Business Administration
01.2016 - 01.2018
J.D. -
Syracuse University College of Law
M.A. - International Relations
Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs
B.A. - International Relations and Sociology
Austin College
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