Governor Jerry Brown has appointed former Santa Clara County Counsel Ann Ravel to be chairperson of the Fair Political Practices Commission.

During her tenure in the County Counsel’s office, which began in 1976, she served 11 years as County Counsel. 

In that role, she provided advice to elected officials on the Political Reform Act, and she served on the statewide steering committee for tobacco litigation.

She has been Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Torts and Consumer Litigation in the Civil Division of the United States Department of Justice since 2009.

Additionally, Ravel has served on the Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation, the Judicial Council of California, the Board of Governors of the State Bar of California, as well as the Hispanic National Bar Association. 

She will replace current Chairman Dan Schnur, who has been serving in his role since June of 2010.

The Fair Political Practices Commission was created in 1974 as part of ballot proposition 9. The commission creates, maintains, updates, and enforces ethical standards for political campaigns and public officials alike.