DLA Piper LLP (US)

Litigation, Arbitration and Investigations; State Attorneys General; Regulatory and Government Affairs; Investigations; Financial Services; Technology; Consumer Goods, Food and Retail

Partner

Austin advises institutions regarding consumer protection compliance, enforcement, and litigation issues. His practice focuses on investigations and enforcement proceedings, class action litigation, compliance advice, examination support, internal corporate investigations, and transactional diligence.

Austin handles matters involving compliance with a broad range of consumer protection statutes and regulations affecting financial services providers, including those relating to: unfair, deceptive or abusive acts or practices (UDAAP); fair lending (ECOA and FHA); credit reporting (FCRA); debt collection (FDCPA); consumer disclosures (TILA); electronic fund transfers (EFTA); loan servicing; mortgage lending (RESPA and HMDA); student lending; and unsecured lending. He defends institutions in investigations and enforcement actions brought by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the US Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), state attorneys general, and federal and state bank regulatory authorities. He also has extensive experience advising institutions on compliance and examination issues and defending clients in class action and government enforcement litigation.

He has assisted clients in matters covering all types of financial services issues, including product development, sales and marketing, banking services, pricing and underwriting, credit reporting and servicing and collection activities. Austin also regularly assists institutions with developing and revising compliance and risk management systems.

J.D., Georgetown University Law Center; B.A., Vassar College