Paul Watkins

Director of the Office of Innovation

Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection

Paul Watkins is the Director of the Office of Innovation at the Bureau for Consumer Financial Protection. In this role, he oversees the Bureau’s efforts to facilitate innovation, competition, and consumer access within the markets for financial products and services. Mr. Watkins was previously the Civil Litigation Division Chief at the Arizona Office of the Attorney General where he managed the state’s litigation in areas such as consumer fraud, antitrust, and civil rights. He also drafted and advocated for legislation establishing the first FinTech Sandbox in the country. Previously, Mr. Watkins practiced at Covington & Burling LLP in San Francisco, and Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett LLP in Palo Alto, California. Mr. Watkins is a graduate of Hillsdale College and Harvard Law School, and a former clerk for Judge Dennis W. Shedd on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

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