WASHINGTON, DC, May 3, 2023: A 10-strong consumer financial services class action litigation and regulatory team anchored by three partners, Arjun Rao, Brian Frontino, and Allen Denson, is joining Morgan Lewis across five offices. The team, which includes seven other lawyers, is arriving from Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP and will add increased depth to our comprehensive capabilities and offerings to the financial services industry.
“The banking industry is at a crossroad—from disrupters and new entrants to heightened regulation, litigation, and other economic challenges,” said Firm Chair Jami McKeon. “From our vantage point in working across sectors and jurisdictions, we partner with our financial institution clients to align with market opportunities that support their operations. And if the time comes, we defend those business decisions and will continue to do so with the added support of our new consumer banking team, who are located in markets where many of our banking and fintech clients operate.”
“Arjun, Brian, Allen, and the team bring both a nationwide practice as well as ‘boots on the ground’ in key markets across the country for the consumer financial services sector,” said J. Gordon Cooney, Jr., leader of the firm’s litigation practice. “They are a strong strategic fit, complementing the work we already do and adding heft with a diversified portfolio of consumer financial products and clients.”
The team members will partner with colleagues across the firm to address financial services clients’ evolving consumer challenges, including lawyers leading multifaceted banking class actions or navigating the ever-changing state and federal regulatory landscapes, with perspective shaped by their time as former government counsel.
Arjun, resident in Century City, represents clients in consumer class actions and other financial services litigation. He also counsels clients in the financial services industry on regulatory matters and government investigations, and defends clients in federal and state courts throughout the United States on a broad range of actions arising from lending and retail banking operations. Arjun additionally represents clients in matters tied to automobile lending.
Brian, resident in Miami, focuses his practice on financial services litigation, regulation, and enforcement. He manages complex litigation for financial services companies facing consumer complaints and class actions. Brian defends clients against high-volume filers of consumer claims in federal and state trial and appellate courts across the country. He also counsels clients on compliance with state and federal laws related to debt collection, credit reporting, military lending, unfair business practices, and other consumer protection statutes.
Allen, resident in Washington, DC, represents financial institutions in matters before federal and state regulatory bodies, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, prudential regulators, and the Federal Trade Commission. A former senior attorney at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Allen guides clients through agency investigations, litigation, and regulatory inquiries involving both safety and soundness and consumer protection issues against financial institutions and institution-affiliated parties. He also advises on compliance with federal and state consumer protection and banking laws.