Chris is the co-leader of the Consumer Financial Services Regulatory Practice Group at the firm. He advises financial services institutions facing state and federal government investigations and examinations, counseling them on compliance issues including UDAP/UDAAP, credit reporting, debt collection, and fair lending, and defending them in individual and class action lawsuits brought by consumers and enforcement actions brought by government agencies.

Chris also leverages insights from his litigation and enforcement experience to help clients design new products and processes, including machine learning marketing, fraud prevention and underwriting models, product structure, advertising, online application flows, underwriting, and collection and loss mitigation strategies.

Chris brings a highly practical focus to his legal advice, informed by balancing a deep understanding of the business of consumer finance and the practical priorities of federal and state regulatory agencies.

Chris speaks frequently at conferences across the U.S. on consumer financial services law and has been featured in numerous articles in publications such as the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Washington Post, American Banker, National Law Journal, BNA Bloomberg, and Bank Safety and Soundness Advisor.

Learn more about Chris Willis: https://www.troutman.com/profe...

Lori, a partner in the firm’s Consumer Financial Services Practice Group, is a seasoned consumer financial services attorney with more than 25 years of experience in federal government, in-house, and private practice settings. She draws upon these varied experiences to provide practical, actionable legal advice to banks and nonbanks. 

Lori advises clients on all aspects of regulatory compliance and helps them navigate examinations, supervisory issues, investigations, and enforcement actions. Particularly experienced with consumer financial products and services, she counsels clients in regulatory compliance matters, and routinely represents financial services companies in preparing for examinations by the CFPB and federal and state banking agencies. Lori also regularly helps clients in navigating supervisory issues, and successfully represented many clients in investigations and enforcement actions.

Additionally, Lori has deep experience in fair lending and responsible banking regulatory compliance, including the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act, and unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices laws (UDAP/UDAAP). She advises clients on traditional areas of fair lending risk as well as fair lending statistical analyses and complex predictive data analytics, including artificial intelligence and machine learning models and variables.

Lori leverages her in-house experience at a major bank in building, implementing, and managing fair lending and responsible banking risk management programs to help clients with all aspects of their programs. She has also successfully defended clients in dozens of fair lending investigations and enforcement actions by the CFPB and the U.S. Department of Justice. Additionally, Lori is highly experienced in advising clients concerning compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, particularly regarding accessibility of physical spaces and digital platforms (websites and mobile applications).

Clients benefit from Lori’s extensive experience in the financial sector, which includes significant roles as in-house counsel at major financial institutions and her most recent position as executive vice president and deputy general counsel for consumer banking at a regional bank. Additionally, Lori has served as outside counsel for financial services clients with two nationally recognized law firms. She began her career as a staff attorney at the FDIC in Washington, D.C., where she contributed to the formulation of bank consumer protection and safety and soundness policies and regulations.

Lori speaks frequently at industry and legal conferences. Her engagements have included: The American Bar Association’s Consumer Financial Services Committee meetings; American Bankers Association Regulatory Compliance Conference; CBA Live; CRA & Fair Lending Colloquium; Minnesota Banking Law Institute; banking and credit union trade association conferences; and various law firm webinars and client workshops.

Learn more about Lori Sommerfield here: https://www.troutman.com/profe...

Jesse provides comprehensive guidance to clients in the financial services sector as they navigate state and federal regulatory landscapes. He began his career in senior roles in state government and at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), enabling him to apply an insider’s understanding of state and federal enforcement to his clients’ matters. As chief legal and compliance officer for several fintechs, Jesse also brings a business perspective as he guides clients from product idea to deployment.

Jesse helps financial services clients design and manage regulatory compliance programs. He integrates compliance strategies throughout his clients’ business units, including product design, advertising, fundraising, vendor procurement, and governance. Jesse also serves as a liaison for his clients’ interactions, inquiries, and enforcement proceedings involving state and federal regulatory agencies.

Learn more about Jesse Silverman here: https://www.troutman.com/profe...