Gwendolyn Young Reams Named Acting EEOC General Counsel

WASHINGTON – President Joseph R. Biden Jr. has appointed Gwendolyn Young Reams as the Acting General Counsel of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) the agency announced today.

“I am honored to be chosen to lead the talented and dedicated staff of the Office of General Counsel until a new General Counsel is selected,” said Reams.  “I look forward to working closely with Chair Burrows to continue the agency’s work eradicating discrimination and ensuring equal opportunities for all workers."

“I am gratified that President Biden has appointed Gwen Reams as Acting General Counsel,” said EEOC Chair Charlotte Burrows.  “Her experience and proven leadership will provide stability and direction as the Commission implements its vigorous civil rights agenda.” 

Acting General Counsel Reams has served as the Associate General Counsel for Litigation Management Services at the EEOC for the past 20 years.  In this position, she was responsible for overseeing the agency’s litigation program conducted through the regional attorneys in the 15 field legal units around the country.  She also provided guidance and support to the field legal units in all aspects of litigation, including developing and litigating cases under the agency’s Strategic Enforcement Plan.

Reams had previously served as the Associate General Counsel for Appellate Services where she was responsible for directing the agency’s nationwide appellate litigation program, including the filing of amicus curiae briefs on behalf of the Commission and coordinating with the Solicitor General’s Office on briefs filed in the Supreme Court on behalf of the EEOC.  Ms. Reams has held several other positions during her extensive career with the EEOC’s Office of General Counsel including Executive Assistant to the General Counsel, Supervisory Trial Attorney, and Trial Attorney in the Systemic Litigation Division. 

Ms. Reams was hired as an attorney at EEOC in 1972, after receiving her Juris Doctor from the American University’s Washington College of Law.  She received her undergraduate degree from Howard University and is a native of Charleston, S.C.

The EEOC advances opportunity in the workplace by enforcing federal laws prohibiting employ­ment discrimination. More information is available at www.eeoc.gov.  Stay connected with the latest EEOC news by subscribing to our email updates.