Overview
Inconsistent and uncertain regulatory environments in an evolving borderless world economy pose enormous challenges to banking and financial services companies. Around the globe, plaintiffs’ counsel and regulators are targeting the financial services industry with consumer protection claims, shareholder suits and government enforcement actions. Customers are also utilizing alternative dispute resolution such as arbitration and mediation. Given this regulatory thrust and unprecedented access to litigation, it is more important than ever for you to have a legal partner with the experience and expertise to protect your interests.
Recognized litigation capabilities backed by industry experience
Banking and finance are in our blood. We are recognized as a leading financial services law firm in the United States, counseling more than 300 financial institutions across the country.
While our attorneys include some of the most experienced and respected trial lawyers in the country, we are particularly skilled in issues unique to our financial services clients—including practice before all applicable regulatory authorities.
Savvy defense against government lawsuits and other enforcement actions
Our litigators draw on the deep experience of our banking and regulatory lawyers for innovative defense strategies. Over the years, we have handled complex and novel issues arising under the statutes and regulations governing the financial services industry. We have defended, and are currently defending, numerous covered entities in enforcement actions throughout the United States.
Our national scope brings us into frequent contact with in many states (including the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) and the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI), formerly the Department of Business Oversight (DBO), and we constantly interact on compliance and expansion matters with federal regulators at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the Federal Reserve Board, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and similar institutions.
Securities
We carry out internal investigations of alleged misconduct in the areas of securities law and financial reporting on behalf of corporations, boards of directors and board committees. We defend companies and their officers and directors, as well as others, in securities class actions, shareholder derivative suits and private securities litigation in federal and state courts around the country. Our lawyers represent corporations and individuals in investigations and enforcement proceedings before the SEC and state regulators. We handle arbitration matters before FINRA and other industry regulatory authorities. And we represent corporate clients in litigation involving merger parties as well as shareholder litigation involving fiduciary duties and disclosure issues.
Effective negotiators. Aggressive litigators.
We provide aggressive and effective representation at all stages of disputes. Our primary goal is to quickly resolve your problems, preferably before a lawsuit has been filed. When that's not possible, we zealously represent you throughout the case, including through appeal, where necessary. Our skill in the courtroom is well-known to our adversaries; as a result, we are often able to obtain favorable outcomes for our clients before a costly trial.
Who we work with
We represent virtually every type of financial institution. Our clients include:
- Banks and bank holding companies
- State and federal savings institutions
- Representative and agency offices of foreign banks
- Investment banks
- Venture capital funds
- Private equity funds
- Leasing companies
- Industrial loan companies (ILC’s)
- Specialty finance companies
- Trust companies
- Credit unions
What we do
- Antitrust and unfair competition
- Corporate investigations and white collar defense
- Class actions
- Commercial
- Employment and labor
- Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
- Fraud
- Insurance
- Money laundering
- Securities
- State attorneys general
- Shareholder derivative suits
- Tax
Awards
Related Practices
Select Clients
CashCall Inc.
Central Pacific Bank
Community Bank
East West Bank
Pacific Capital Bancorp
