Representative Experience
  • Representative Fintech Experience
    • Provided legal analysis, regulatory advice, corporate and employment advice, intellectual property audits, and compliance gap analysis for fintech companies, including:

      Zero trust cloud data storage solution company that addresses vendor risk by applying a redundant array of independent clouds;

      Technology infrastructure company that focuses on digital debt and trade finance leveraging new cybersecurity protocols for transactions;

      Blockchain adoption platform and blockchain enabled enterprise solution company that focuses on quantum-safe encryption, AI-enabled smart contracts, and interface modules for BI applications;

      AI deep learning chip manufacturer and bitcoin mining pool operator;

      Crowdfunding platforms and P2P payment solution companies; and

      Payroll deduction donation platform that facilitates employee engagement and corporate social responsibility.

      Assisted in the development and implementation of first-in-the-industry online and mobile student loan origination platform and “text for credit” program.

      Represented two investors in their investment in a babysitting and childcare app developer and startup company.

      Provided risk analysis, legal advice, and compliance-by-design in building out digital platforms and electronic products and services, including drafting plain language and layered website terms and conditions and privacy policies.

      Analyzed legal and regulatory issues related to marketing, privacy, and social media integration, as well as for online retail gaming companies and mobile game apps.

      Drafted contracts for digital marketing platform using “social media influencers.”

      Strategized, built, and implemented large-scale regulatory compliance programs for online loan shopping marketplace, mortgage lenders and servicers, banks, retail and media companies, and technology and software companies, including privacy program development and assessments under GDPR, CCPA, GLBA, and other state and federal regulations.

      Represented e-payment providers, payment processors, financial institutions, and online retailers in regulatory compliance and enforcement matters, licensing issues, litigation matters, corporate transactions, and intellectual property protection.

      Represented private equity firm in $50 million joint venture carve out of microprocessing computing business and global supplier of semiconductor technology.

      Represented cloud storage providers in vendor management, privacy, government investigations, and regulatory compliance.

      Represented technology consulting and software development company in a transaction that resulted in a substantial investment in the company by a third party. Acted as counsel to the company in on-going strategic decisions and contract matters.

      Represented prepaid payment and technology company in a $5 million Series A Preferred Stock investment.

      Represented venture capital firm based in Tampa in its Series A investment in online ticketing company.

      Represented fintech software company in its sale to a national lender.

      Represented platform operator and website contributor relating to a Federal Trade Commission Civil Investigative Demand regarding platform content.

  • Representative Payments Experience
    • Regulatory Compliance

      Compliance matters related to various federal and state consumer financial laws, including the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA), the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act (CARD Act), the Gramm-Leach Bliley Act (GLBA), and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA)

      Information security breaches, customer incident response programs, and vendor security

      Compliance concerns with social media practices

      Online advertising, sweepstakes promotions, telemarketing, text marketing, and email, including FTC, FCC, E-Sign, and UETA requirements

      PCI DSS compliance and broader data security issues related to handling payment card transactions

      Regulatory implications of cross-border cryptocurrency trading, as well as broader regulatory concerns with cryptocurrency offerings, exchanges, and wallets

      Privacy and regulatory implications of implementing emerging payment technologies

      Licensing

      Licensing obligations in connection with initial public offerings of securities

      Due diligence compliance and licensing reviews in connection with acquisitions of state-licensed companies

      Audits of licenses and approvals to ensure full compliance with state laws and regulations

      Investigations and Enforcement Actions

      Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) examinations, including full risk assessments and early remediation of identified issues, compiling the documentation necessary to respond to the CFPB’s initial request for information, responding to requests for additional information, developing remediation strategies for issues identified during the course of the examination, and responding to PARR and supervisory letters

      Regular representation of financial services clients in investigations, examinations, litigation, and administrative actions initiated by state attorneys general and state regulators

      OCC’s horizontal review of sales and incentive practices, including responding to supervisory letters and developing action plans

      Consent orders with the OCC and the Federal Reserve Board

      Investigations and enforcement actions by numerous state regulators and state attorneys general

      Investigations and Enforcement Actions

      Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) examinations, including full risk assessments and early remediation of identified issues, compiling the documentation necessary to respond to the CFPB’s initial request for information, responding to requests for additional information, developing remediation strategies for issues identified during the course of the examination, and responding to PARR and supervisory letters

      Regular representation of financial services clients in investigations, examinations, litigation, and administrative actions initiated by state attorneys general and state regulators

      OCC’s horizontal review of sales and incentive practices, including responding to supervisory letters and developing action plans

      Consent orders with the OCC and the Federal Reserve Board

      Investigations and enforcement actions by numerous state regulators and state attorneys general

      Litigation

      Defense of cases on a nationwide basis involving both individual claims and class actions related to alleged violations of the CARD Act, FDCPA, FCRA, TILA, SCRA, EFTA, and various other state and federal laws

      TCPA litigation based on alleged improper robotic/automated mobile calls and text messaging, fraudulent and/or deceptive charges, disclosure issues, and other promotional practices

      Corporate & Securities

      Cardholder disclosures and agreements and merchant agreements

      Merchant processing, BIN, card branding, affinity, licensing, acquisition, and related service provider agreements

      Payment service provider agreements, customer agreements, and implementation of mobile banking technology

      Treasury management, internet banking, wire transfer, ACH, and related service agreements

      Negotiation of application service provider (ASP), service level agreements (SLA), software-as-a-service (SAS), and other vendor contracts

      Development and implementation of alternative ACH payment pilot programs

      Retail and correspondent agreements for regional and state financial institutions

      Intellectual Property

      Third-party website development, hardware acquisition, software licensing, and other agreements

      Disclosures and retail agreements

      Development and launch of online banking services

      Prosecution of patents covering electronic payment technology

      Litigation of patents related to electronic payment processing devices

      Prosecution of trademark applications specific to payment processing services