Morrison Foerster’s Financial Services and Fintech Practices Earn Strong Recognition in The Legal 500 United States 2023 Edition

Congratulations to Morrison Foerster’s Financial Services and Fintech groups, which were recognized as leading practices by The Legal 500 United States 2023 edition. They achieved Tier 1 in the inaugural Consumer Finance Regulation category and Tier 2 in the Fintech table, while Banking Regulation continues to be a ranked practice. Ten attorneys from the Financial Services and Fintech groups were recognized for their depth of expertise across consumer lending, payments, and banking regulation and their cutting-edge work representing major clients in the Fintech industry. 

We are grateful for our strong partnerships with our clients, who told The Legal 500 that “the team at Morrison Foerster works like an extension of the client’s team. They think critically about legal, regulatory, and business challenges and priorities, and work quickly and creatively to solve problems. They exhibit strength across multiple areas: technology, regulation, and business. It is clear the team truly cares about the success of the business and people, and they are willing to put in the time and effort to help it succeed.” Another client lauded the team as very practical and professional, telling The Legal 500 that “they quickly understand products and can advise at a 10,000-foot basis, and then narrow it down.”

Attorneys who received individual recognitions are highlighted below:

• Jeremy Mandell, co-chair of the firm’s Financial Services and Fintech practices, was distinguished as Leading Lawyer for Financial Services Regulation and recommended for Fintech. He was praised by clients for his “deep knowledge of payments system regulation, which is critical in helping clients with complex regulatory questions.”
• Jeff Silberman, co-chair of the firm’s Financial Services and Fintech practices, was named Next Generation Partner for Fintech and was also recommended by The Legal 500 in the Financial Services Regulation category for his standout work, with his clients saying: “Jeff Silberman deserves specific praise. He thinks critically about the business, vision, challenges, and plans, and he works collaboratively to push forward. This level of care is extraordinary and hard to find, and we are very grateful. Combined with his level of knowledge in the industry, he has been an invaluable asset and team member.” 
• Crystal Kaldjob, co-chair of the firm’s Fintech practice, has been recommended by The Legal 500 in Fintech and Financial Services Regulation for her highly esteemed practice helping fintechs, banks, and merchants on regulatory and market-setting transactional matters. Clients enthuse: “Both our legal and business teams very much value her highly strategic insight, responsiveness and deep understanding of FinTech legal and commercial issues.”
• Maria Earley, a former CFPB enforcement attorney with significant experience advising on issues related to consumer protection laws and emerging technology, was also recommended for both Fintech and Financial Services Regulation. A client described Maria as “far and away one of the best lawyers. Her advice is grounded in the realities and practicalities of managing a start-up business. She helps understand the risks and offers solutions that are reasonable and that do not entail massive capital or time investments that the client may not have or may not want to incur.”
• For the second year in a row, Evan Minsberg, a widely regarded practitioner in the technology transactions and financial regulatory space, was named a Rising Star for Fintech and recommended for Financial Services Regulation. A client told The Legal 500: “Evan has great depth and knowledge about the payment and fintech space. He is able to help the client navigate legal uncertainty.”
• Haima Marlier, a former SEC Senior Trial counsel and co-chair of the firm’s Securities Litigation, Enforcement and White Collar Defense practice, was also highlighted by The Legal 500 in the Fintech category for her strong track record in crypto-related SEC and CFTC enforcement proceedings.
• Barbara Mendelson, highly sought-after legal advisor to foreign and domestic banks on complex regulatory matters, including Bank Holding Company Act, Volcker Rule issues, BSA/AML and OFAC advisory and investigation matters, among other areas, was also recommended for Financial Services Regulation.  
• Marc-Alain Galeazzi, best known for advising and counseling global banks and other financial institution, fintechs, and other companies on a variety of regulatory, anti-money laundering (BSA/AML), general compliance, and transactional matters, was also recommended for Financial Services Regulation.
• The Legal 500 regarded Deb Connor’s September 2022 arrival as a “key development” for the firm and recommended her for Financial Services Regulation, lauding her significant BSA/AML enforcement and compliance experience.
• Jason Shafer, who is widely regarded for his practice advising U.S. and foreign banking organizations and other financial institutions on regulatory, transactional, supervisory, enforcement, and compliance matters, was newly recommended in the Financial Services Regulation category.

To view the complete list of Morrison Foerster’s rankings in the 2023 edition of The Legal 500 United States, please visit the publication’s website.