2018 NAPFA Fall Conference Speaker
Leo Rydzewski
Prior to joining CFP Board as General Counsel, Mr. Rydzewski was a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of the global law firm Holland & Knight LLP, where for seventeen years he handled complex commercial litigation matters (and high impact civil rights litigation) in federal and state courts throughout the country, and provided his clients with counsel on litigation avoidance. Mr. Rydzewski also served as CFP Board’s outside counsel, and in that capacity he gained an in-depth understanding of CFP Board’s Standards of Professional Conduct and the investigative and adjudicatory functions that he now leads.
During his accomplished career, Mr. Rydzewski has been recognized for his significant pro bono contributions to the legal profession, including in the areas of indigent defense, child welfare, and prisoner’s rights. Holland & Knight recognized him as a “Pro Bono Champion,” and the Florida Bar awarded him the President Pro Bono Service Award. Mr. Rydzewski also is the former Chair of the Board of the Children’s Science Center of Northern Virginia, and the former President of the Georgetown Club of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.
Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Mr. Rydzewski served as a law clerk to U.S. District Court Judge Federico A. Moreno, in the Southern District of Florida. He received his Juris Doctor from Florida State University College of Law, where he graduated summa cum laude, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Georgetown University, which later awarded him the William Gaston Award for alumni leadership. Before entering law school, Mr. Rydzewski was an economist with the Bureau of Labor Statistics. He also has worked at the Central Intelligence Agency.
During his accomplished career, Mr. Rydzewski has been recognized for his significant pro bono contributions to the legal profession, including in the areas of indigent defense, child welfare, and prisoner’s rights. Holland & Knight recognized him as a “Pro Bono Champion,” and the Florida Bar awarded him the President Pro Bono Service Award. Mr. Rydzewski also is the former Chair of the Board of the Children’s Science Center of Northern Virginia, and the former President of the Georgetown Club of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.
Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Mr. Rydzewski served as a law clerk to U.S. District Court Judge Federico A. Moreno, in the Southern District of Florida. He received his Juris Doctor from Florida State University College of Law, where he graduated summa cum laude, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Georgetown University, which later awarded him the William Gaston Award for alumni leadership. Before entering law school, Mr. Rydzewski was an economist with the Bureau of Labor Statistics. He also has worked at the Central Intelligence Agency.
