WilmerHale's financial institutions team provides 'insightful views of emerging legal risks' to a range of banks, payments firms, fintechs and cryptocurrency firms, handling regulatory matters, high-stakes enforcement actions, and class action litigation. It works with the firm's securities practice to advise diversified financial institutions. Franca Harris Gutierrez heads the team from Washington DC, regularly advising both domestic and international banks as well as mortgage servicers, student loan servicers, and emerging financial services providers. Also in DC, Michael Dawson is a go-to for compliance and remediation programs and has knowledge of the use of AI in financial services. In New York, Zachary Goldman is experienced in complex regulatory and enforcement matters related to OFAC sanctions, anti-money laundering, and financial crime risk management issues.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Insightful views of emerging legal risks based on industry and regulatory experience. The Wilmer team also delivers work product on specific engaged matters that is practical and useable and they deliver more quickly than peers.’

  • ‘Good strategic advice and defense oriented.’

  • ‘The Wilmer team has been stellar in helping us navigate a payments-related inquiry. The partners have deep substantive knowledge, good strategic judgment, and are very responsive. Their team of associate is strong as well. They have great attention to detail, and consistently meet our often intense demands.’

  • ‘Benjamin Chapin and John Wells have been stand-out partners. They are both are experts in CFPB laws and regulations, and have been impressive in their predictions about the CFPB's next steps.’

Key clients

  • Barclays Financial Corp.
  • Former Chief Auditor of Wells Fargo
  • Citibank
  • UBS Financial Services

Work highlights

Representing the former Chief Auditor of Wells Fargo in an administrative proceeding brought by the OCC concerning the highly publicized events at Wells Fargo whereby bank employees allegedly provided bank customers with large numbers of unauthorized products and accounts.

Lawyers

Practice head

Franca Harris Gutierrez

Other key lawyers

Benjamin Chapin; John Wells; Michael Dawson; Zachary Goldman; Yoon Hi Greene; Julie Williams