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Find Lawyers in America for Litigation - Banking and Finance
Practice Area Overview
Banking and finance litigation typically arises over specific loans, trades, transactions or financial products, or disputes and investigations concerning stock and commodities exchanges, pricing, disclosure, management, and servicing issues. However, because consumers and/or public shareholders are often involved, these industries are among the most highly regulated and scrutinized. Banks and financial services institutions, many of which are public, must comply with — and can also easily be accused of violating — any number of laws, including federal and state securities laws, Dodd-Frank, the Bank Secrecy Act, the Patriot Act, Credit Card and Consumer Protection laws, Truth in Lending, Equal Credit Opportunity, Fair Credit Reporting Act, and Fair Debt Collection Practices Acts.
Banks and financial institutions often become the targets of investigative or enforcement proceedings commenced by governmental entities, including the Securities And Exchange Commission, FINRA, Department of Justice, State AGs, Commodities Futures Trading Commission, FTC, Treasury Department, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, OCC, and other regulators. Counseling companies on the potential liability and risk they face for failing to comply with relevant laws and regulations also is an essential part of the financial litigator’s role.
Financial litigators generally have experience representing corporate and individual clients in a wide spectrum of matters involving the federal securities laws, and state corporate, consumer, securities and common laws, and bankruptcy proceedings. Such matters can include, for example, shareholder class actions and derivative suits challenging the validity of disclosures and the appropriateness of transactions, as well as suits alleging insider trading, broker-dealer non-compliance, misrepresentations in financial reporting, and securities or other fraud. Financial litigators also should be experienced in the representation of corporate directors and officers in litigation arising from alleged breaches of their fiduciary and other duties. Often, the duties of officers and directors are intertwined with the substantive claims asserted against the financial entities for whom they serve.
Finally, skilled financial services litigators also regularly defend and prosecute claims arising out of complex securities, derivatives, commodities, and foreign exchange transactions in both litigation and arbitration proceedings throughout the United States and globally. Success in dealing with such claims often requires a thorough understanding of the regulations, laws, customs, and practice in various state and foreign countries.
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J. Mark Adkins is a partner in the Charleston office of Bowles Rice and a member of the Business Litigation Practice Group. His primary areas of practice include business litigation, commercial and contract disputes, financial services/banking litigation, energy litigation, construction litigation, election law and products liability litigation. A native of Salt Rock, West Virginia, Mr. Adkins received his J.D. in 1997 from the West Virginia University College of Law, where he was a member of...
Richard Aguilar is resident in the firm's New Orleans office. His multi-state practice focuses on bringing his extensive business experience to bear for clients dealing with issues in areas involving creditor's rights, foreclosure, bankruptcy, reorganization, and high-consequence business and commercial litigation.
Tom Ajamie is the founder of Ajamie LLP. He represents clients in complex commercial litigation and arbitration. His work includes groundbreaking securities and financial cases, cross-border litigation, business contract disputes and employment issues. His cases have been featured in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and The American Lawyer. He established The Ajamie Foundation, which provides scholarships to university students. He is co-author of the book Fina...
Alan Albert is a nationally-honored trial lawyer who has represented clients from Muhammad Ali to multinational corporations in a broad array of commercial disputes, white-collar criminal investigations and prosecutions, intellectual property litigation and other governmental and regulatory matters. Mr. Albert has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America continuously for the past 20 years, and is one of a small number of lawyers in the country to be recognized by Best Lawyers in six dis...
Wendell's practice focuses on representing financial institutions in government enforcement actions, regulatory compliance matters, internal audits, and real property controversies. Wendell’s litigation experience is broad, having represented clients in a wide variety of matters but with a particular focus in financial services, consumer finance, real property and construction litigation. In addition to litigation, his practice includes performing internal risk assessments and regulator...
After serving as a federal law clerk in the Middle District of Alabama for one year, Mr. Bailey began practicing law with the firm in 1980 and has been a shareholder since 1983. Building upon a strong background of product liability and insurance defense, Mr. Bailey's practice has evolved into handling a variety of complex litigation directly for clients who are either self-insured or have control over the selection of defense counsel.Mr. Bailey works closely with corporate counsel and is the...
Bill Banowsky focuses his practice on complex business litigation and arbitration, securities litigation, and corporate governance investigations. He also represents national and international energy industry clients in various disputes involving contract rights and business torts. In recent years, he has become involved in numerous disputes representing healthcare providers including hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, medical device suppliers, physician groups and ancillary providers. Mr...
Rick Bass practices in the area of complex commercial and product liability litigation. He has substantial experience in the representation of financial institutions and the litigation and settlement of class actions, mass tort and other complex matters. Mr. Bass is a frequent lecturer on litigation issues, and for several years has served as Adjunct Professor of Trial Advocacy at Mississippi College School of Law. He also served on the faculty for the NITA Gulf Coast Deposition Program.
Armando is a commercial and real estate litigator and is leader of the Distressed Commercial Debt Litigation team. He represents businesses and owners in a wide variety of contractual, shareholder and commercial realty disputes. He devotes a large portion of his practice to representing holders of commercial debt in all aspects of work-outs, foreclosures, receiverships and guaranty enforcement actions. I focus my practice on the following areas: Distressed Commercial Debt I represent special ...
Jamie Becker is an experienced financial services litigator and shareholder in Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd's Columbia office. His practice focuses on complex business litigation in areas such as business and consumer financial services, business contracts, automobile sales and marketing, commercial and consumer real estate transactions, and real estate development.
J. Adam Behrendt represents a variety of businesses in their day-to-day disputes. He focuses on finding pragmatic and cost-effective solutions to problems both large and small. These matters often concern commercial law and contract disputes, land use, and affairs concerning shareholder and minority owner oppression. Adam has significant experience in assisting financial institutions in virtually all aspects of their business including litigation surrounding insolvency, loan workout and recei...
Robert Bieck is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group. He focuses on securities and other regulatory compliance and enforcement defense, and capital markets products and corporate governance litigation. Rob represents securities brokers, banks and other financial institutions, and corporations, as well as their directors, officers, and other employees, in matters arising under federal and state securities laws, general corporate laws, banking laws, and the Employee Retirement Income Secu...
Tom Bieging is of counsel with the firm. He focuses his practice in the areas of banking and commercial litigation. Mr. Bieging’s financial institutions practice includes holding company and change of control applications, loan documentation, regulatory compliance advice, loan work outs, board representation, and the sale, acquisition, and merger of banks and bank holding companies. Mr. Bieging has litigated with government agencies on financial institution policy matters with national ...
Brandon Black is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group, where he advises clients on a range of complex commercial disputes. Brandon represents clients in litigation involving business and commercial transactions, environmental and toxic torts, the federal False Claims Act, construction matters, catastrophic injuries, bankruptcy, state and local tax issues, as well as all aspects of insurance coverage disputes. Brandon’s experience is wide ranging and includes creditors' rights case...
MARK BOSCO has been a regular lecturer at numerous regional and national mortgage banking and default servicing seminars, and he has published numerous articles on mortgage banking, default servicing and related topics. Mr. Bosco has been appointed as approved Counsel for Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) to provide services in the areas of foreclosure, bankruptcy, loss mitigation, eviction, related litigation, and REO ...
My practice is a mix of business litigation and insurance cases. I regularly represent clients in state and federal courts throughout NC in business disputes. Typical claims are: breach of contract, tortious interference with contract, unfair competition, fraud, defamation, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, unfair and deceptive trade practices, and other statutory violations. I have represented both policyholders and insurers in insurance coverage disputes. I also represent dentists in ma...
Roland E. Brandel is a Senior Counsel in the San Francisco office of the international law firm of Morrison & Foerster. He is a member of, and served as the first chair of, the firm’s financial services practice group. He has written several books, including The Law of Electronic Fund Transfer Systems , The Community Reinvestment Act , Policies and Compliance , and Truth in Lending: A Comprehensive Guide and numerous articles on financial service topics. He has served as Chair of th...
While fully engaged as Managing Partner of Buckley King, Brent Buckley counsels and represents financial institutions, private equity firms, lenders, businesses and executive management on business issues, complex and structured finance, workouts, asset-based lending, corporate internal investigations, and commercial litigation matters. Brent is nationally recognized for excellence in both corporate law and banking and finance litigation. He is named among the prestigious Legal Who's Who as o...
Joseph L. Buckley is a member of the Firm’s Management Committee and Chair of the Litigation Department. He has over 35 years of first chair trial experience in a wide variety of complex cases in federal and state courts in New Jersey and New York. He is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney.
Craig W. Budner is the firm’s global strategic growth partner. In this role, Craig manages the global recruiting and integration functions for the firm. He also manages the firm’s global business development, marketing, and media relations functions. Additionally, he serves on the firm’s management and advisory committees. As a practicing lawyer, Craig maintains a national practice concentrating in counseling commercial litigation and arbitration with a strong focus on outso...
Guy has over 40 years of trial experience with over 100 trials in State and Federal Courts, as well as dozens of trials conducted before arbitration panels. He primarily represents plaintiffs in complex commercial, securities, financial malpractice and consumer fraud litigation and in class actions, generally on a contingency fee basis. He also represents defendants in selected large, complex commercial disputes. He has successfully represented plaintiffs in numerous disputes against brokerag...
Jon is a commercial litigator with experience in litigation of supply chain disputes, asset purchase agreements, franchise agreements, and other business related litigation. Jon also has a substantial practice in securities dispute, including litigation and arbitration of securities and investor disputes, in which he has successfully represented investors and broker-dealers. His experience on sophisticated matters includes bringing cases to summary judgment, trial, and courts of appeal. Jon i...
Joe Callow helps clients manage and reduce litigation risk and litigation costs. When litigation arises, he handles and coordinates cases on a national, regional, and local basis. Joe primarily works on class action and complex commercial litigation. He has experience in securities, ERISA, antitrust and general corporate and business litigation as well as in copyright infringement and intellectual property litigation and product liability/tort litigation. He also represents clients in FINRA a...
Mr. Campbell is the founding member of Campbell Law Firm PLLC, a litigation boutique. He specializes in complex litigation involving creditor’s rights, securities, commercial torts, product liability, and bankruptcy issues. Mr. Campbell grew up in South Florida. He graduated from Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School with high honors in 1972 and went on to attend both college and law school at the University of Florida. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Banking and Fi...
Jose A. Casal practices in the areas of business and real estate litigation, international litigation and arbitration, and bankruptcy and creditors’ rights. He has handled civil trials in both Florida state and federal courts, and has conducted international arbitrations in both Miami and New York. His representative matters include corporate and partnership disputes, real estate and title insurance claims, receiverships, workout transactions, international litigation, banking litigatio...
Bob effectively and efficiently guides his business clients through complex corporate and commercial disputes and litigation. He works strategically with clients to resolve cases involving a broad range of business torts and contractual disputes. Complex Litigation: Bob provides practical, strategic advice to clients in complex commercial litigation, securities litigation, bank litigation, and CMBS special servicer representation, including class actions. A Wide Range of Clients and Industrie...
John Chanin is a trial lawyer with extensive experience in complex business litigation, financial fraud, government investigations, and white-collar defense. In his 28-years of practice, John has handled and tried diverse cases involving securities, intellectual property, and trade secrets, commercial disputes, employment agreements, real estate, healthcare, and financial institutions. He has also represented numerous companies and individuals facing government investigations, enforcement pro...
Steve Coffaro is a business lawyer who focuses his practice on commercial litigation matters, including corporate, intellectual property, environmental, employment and real estate related disputes. He represents both public and private companies and individuals and has actively represented clients in litigation matters pending in state and federal courts. He is licensed to practice in the state and federal courts in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Steve has particularized expertise related to the...
Steve Collins is a partner practicing in the firm’s Litigation & Trial Practice and Securities Litigation Groups. His practice focuses on (1) securities litigation, investigations and enforcement proceedings; (2) financial services litigation; and (3) transaction-based litigation, as the principal components of a commercial litigation practice. Securities Litigation and Investigations: Mr. Collins represents clients in SEC, stock exchange and state securities investigations and enfo...
E.K. Cottrell practices in the area of complex commercial litigation. Some of his representative areas of practice include defense of class actions on behalf of insurers, business entities, and management for alleged improper market conduct or business practices, and fiduciary obligations; representation of insurers and reinsurers in coverage and regulatory compliance matters; and other general business litigation. E.K. has litigated class actions and other complex commercial litigation matte...
Tim brings sophisticated commercial finance expertise to advise a broad spectrum of lenders and borrowers. Specialized Commercial Lending: Tim counsels banks, finance companies, servicers, private equity sponsors, and company borrowers to structure, document, close, and secure commercial, asset-based, agricultural and real estate loans, equipment leases, factoring arrangements, and other financial accommodations. He also represents card issuers and companies to negotiate corporate credit card...
Clay Culpepper serves as counsel for a number of businesses and aggressively advocates for injured individuals. Clay has litigated cases from Tennessee to California, in federal and state courts, in front of both juries and judges. Clay represents and counsels clients in various actions, including, but not limited to: Significant Personal Injury: Automobile accidents Trucking accidents Premises liability Malpractice Wrongful death Negligence Business/Commercial Litigation: Contract/transactio...
Bill Daniel represents major financial services companies in commercial and consumer finance matters, and chairs the firm’s Financial Services Practice Group. He has extensive experience representing financial services companies in virtually every phase of their operations including litigation, regulatory, compliance, workouts, transactions and bankruptcy. Bill speaks to industry and bar groups on Texas financing law. Bill was named Lawyer of the Year for Financial Services Regulation L...
A first-chair trial lawyer, Megan Costa DeVault prosecutes and defends complex commercial, business, and real estate litigation in state and federal courts. On behalf of Fortune 500, publicly traded, and privately owned business, including builders, developers, investors, financial institutions, and corporate fiduciaries, she litigates contractual disputes, shareholder class actions, and derivative suits, including serving as lead counsel in dozens of trials and arbitrations. Owing to the com...
Ron has accumulated a vast amount of first chair trial experience. As an Assistant United States Attorney in Miami for seven years, he tried several large criminal cases. In his final year as a federal prosecutor, he served as Deputy Chief of the Major Crimes Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Ron’s broad trial and litigation skills allow him to represent clients in diverse types of disputes in nearly any locale in the country. Since joining Varnum, Ron has tried and litigate...
Robert J. Diehl, Jr., represents clients in complex business law matters and commercial transactions with a focus on debtor-creditor rights and bankruptcy.He represents lenders in out-of-court workouts and in bankruptcy proceedings involving all types of businesses and collateral, especially automotive-related businesses and real estate and construction businesses. Mr. Diehl has special expertise in matters relating to postpetition financing, lifting the automatic stay and maximizing realizat...
Don M. Downing is a former Missouri Chief Deputy Attorney General and managing partner of the St. Louis office of one of the region's largest law firms. As Chief Deputy Attorney General - Missouri's top appointed legal officer - from 1993 to 1995, Mr. Downing was the lead lawyer in cases involving consumer protection, antitrust, environmental, securities and many other areas of law. He appeared before the Supreme Court of the United States four times, including one case he personally argued. ...
Hall Eady is a general and commercial litigator with a current focus on the representation of financial institutions. He regularly advises banks and mortgage servicers regarding recoupment options including lien rights, closing errors, title insurance, mortgage insurance and correspondent/broker agreements. Hall has also represented construction companies and product manufacturers. Hall has been named as one of the Best Lawyers in America since 2015 in the Commercial Litigation category. This...
Marcy Eason concentrates in the areas of civil litigation and has handled trials and appellate work in both federal and state courts. Marcy's areas of representation include product liability, financial institution, insurance coverage (insurance and bond) and several other areas. By Tennessee Supreme Court appointment, Marcy currently serves as Chair of the State Access to Justice Commission for a two-year term.
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Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.
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