Venable LLP advises clients in the payments, fintech and banking sectors on the regulatory landscape governing their daily operations, including the licensing and setup of new consumer lending products. The practice is also tasked with representing said clients when facing regulatory investigations and enforcement actions by the CFPB and FTC. Leading the practice is a five-person team consisting of payment systems specialists Ellen Berge and Andrew Bigart, and experienced litigators Michael BresnickLeonard Gordon, and Jonathan Pompan, who represent clients in actions brought by the DOJ, among others. All are based in Washington DC, with the exception of Gordon, who is located in New York. Max Bonici joined the firm’s Washington office from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP in July 2023, handling bank prudential regulations, internal investigations and BHCA matters.

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Key clients

  • Applied Data Finance (Personify)
  • Clarion Capital Partners
  • Carta
  • Cavalry Portfolio Services, LLC
  • Electronic Transactions Association
  • Pagaya Technologies
  • Greater Chautauqua Federal Credit Union
  • Boulevard Federal Credit Union
  • Greater Niagara Federal Credit Union
  • Global Payments, Inc.
  • ACTIVE.com

Work highlights

  • Advised Clarion Capital Partners on investment in Ready Credit Corporation.
  • Advised Carta on the offering of new tax advisory and money movement services, which requires structuring and documenting bank relationships, navigating money transmission, AML issues, and regulatory matters, and drafting customer facing agreements for launch.
  • Acted as counsel to the Electronic Transactions Association, providing advice regarding regulatory, legislative, and litigation issues in the payments industry.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Ellen Berge, Andrew Bigart, Jonathan Pompan, Michael Bresnick, Leonard Gordon

Other key lawyers

Max Bonici, Christopher Boone