Robert L. Clarke
Senior Partner
Gayle Cristopher
713.223.2300 x2543
Robert Clarke is the founder of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP's global financial services practice and regularly advises major banking institutions, providing sage counsel in the face of constantly changing economic and regulatory conditions and political realities. He assists banks in matters involving state and federal banking laws, regulations and compliance with requirements of supervisory agencies, including the management of regulatory risk in day-to-day operations, mergers, acquisitions and strategic planning. He provides independent counsel to boards of directors, advice on new financial services products, and litigation support as an expert witness.
Mr. Clarke has experience in the ownership and operation of banks, banking laws and regulations, and bank supervision. He was appointed by President Ronald Reagan as United States Comptroller of the Currency and was reappointed to the position by President George H. W. Bush. He served as Comptroller from December 1985 through February 1992, supervising approximately 5,000 nationally chartered commercial banks which accounted for approximately two-thirds of the assets of the U.S. commercial banking system.
Following his government service, Mr. Clarke returned to Bracewell. Among his practice activities, he advised the governments of Hungary, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Latvia, Romania, Kazakhstan and Hong Kong on bank supervisory operations. Mr. Clarke also served as a consultant to the World Bank and as senior adviser to the President of the National Bank of Poland. Since April 2004, Mr. Clarke has been a member of the board of directors of the Dubai Financial Services Authority, overseeing operations of financial services providers licensed and operating in the Dubai International Financial Centre.
During his government service, Mr. Clarke was a member of the boards of directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Resolution Trust Corporation. In addition, Mr. Clarke was a member of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, of which he was chairman from April 1989 to March 1991. He also has served as vice chairman of the board of directors of the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation.
Education
LL.B, Harvard Law School, 1966
B.A., Rice University, 1963
Bar Admissions
Texas
New Mexico
Affiliations
Houston Bar Association
Houston Bar Foundation, Fellow
Southwestern Graduate School of Banking Foundation, General Counsel
Western States School of Banking Foundation, Honorary Trustee
Toronto Centre for Financial Sector Supervision, Advisory Board
World Affairs Council of Houston, Director
Rice University, Trustee
Directorships
Stewart Information (Stewart Title)
Eagle Materials
Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company
Rice University
Southwest Graduate School of Banking Foundation
Noteworthy
Distinguished Service Award, U.S. Department of the Treasury, 1992
Distinguished Alumnus, Rice University, 1993