Location: CCJ 2.306 Eidman Courtroom and Virtual
October 23, 2025
Jennifer Banda, Director of the Center for Women in Law, hosted a conversation with Arleas Upton Kea, former Deputy to the Chairman for External Affairs at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and current President of the Texas Exes, the Alumni Association of the University of Texas at Austin.
Kea has a distinguished career in public service and has held additional significant executive leadership positions at the FDIC which include serving as the Chief Operating Officer, Director of Administration, Ombudsman, Senior Counsel, Assistant General Counsel, and Acting Deputy General Counsel.
During her more than 35 years of service, she provided a wide range of legal, operational, and direct advisory support to the Chairman and Board of Directors to ensure the financial stability of our nation’s banking system. She has had the unique opportunity to assist in the resolution of both the Banking and Thrift crisis, which started in the late 1980s, and the Financial Institution crisis, which started in 2008.
Kea led a wide range of strategic initiatives that contributed to the FDIC being named one of the best places to work in the federal government. Consistent with her passion for developing others, she was one of the creators of FDIC’s highly successful mentoring program. She leads with remarkable foresight and was instrumental in implementing a broader telework program using innovative technology back in 2006 — a strategic move that was nationally recognized. Further, she also led the efforts to gain the approval for and oversaw the construction of a major addition to the headquarters building for the FDIC located in Arlington, Virginia.
During this one-hour conversation, Kea discussed her legal career, and the duties of a public sector lawyer in terms of strategic leadership, governance, compliance, and finance and securities law. The discussion also covered the daily ethical standards and challenges of serving in a governmental role, as well as board service.
This course can be claimed as 1 hour of self-study CLE credit with the State Bar of Texas. Self-study is optional and 3 of your total 15 hours can be completed in the form of self-study activities. Contact your State Bar with any questions.
