Covington Adds Prominent Financial Services Lawyer

News provided by

Nov 10, 2014, 09:38 ET

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Covington & Burling is pleased to announce that leading financial services lawyer Andrew Smith has joined the firm to expand its consumer financial services capabilities.

Leading financial services lawyer Andrew Smith joins Covington & Burling's financial institutions group.

Mr. Smith joins the firm's Washington, D.C. office as a partner in the financial institutions group led by John Dugan, former U.S. Comptroller of the Currency. Mr. Smith brings extensive experience from private practice and government service. As a senior lawyer at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Mr. Smith led the staff in crafting a broad set of regulations required by the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003. Since leaving the government, he has developed a robust practice in consumer financial law, especially in matters involving the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

"Andrew is widely respected as one of the top consumer financial services lawyers in the nation," said Timothy Hester, chair of Covington's management committee. "He significantly enhances our capacity to provide clients with top-flight expertise in the growing area of consumer financial services."

Mr. Smith regularly advises banks, non-bank lenders, credit bureaus, technology companies, and their vendors on regulatory and compliance matters arising under the full range of federal and state consumer financial protection statutes and regulations. This advice focuses on such areas as fair credit reporting, unfair and deceptive practices, data privacy and security, technology and e-commerce, and lending discrimination, among others. In addition, Mr. Smith actively represents a range of clients in government investigations and regulatory enforcement matters, especially before the CFPB and FTC. He also frequently assists clients in civil litigation, especially class actions, arising from the delivery of retail financial services.

"Andrew will make an exceptionally strong addition to our practice," Mr. Dugan said. "He is nationally recognized as a thought leader in consumer financial services law with an unusually strong blend of government and private sector experience, both as a respected counselor and an effective advocate. His broad consumer law practice meshes perfectly with our focus on the full spectrum of advisory, litigation, transactional, and enforcement issues that financial institutions face as the result of substantially increased regulatory scrutiny in the wake of the financial crisis."

"I was drawn to Covington's strong focus on regulated industries and the broad range of legal challenges they face," Mr. Smith said. "With its top-notch financial institutions practice, longstanding commitment to excellence, and a strong collaborative culture, the firm presents a truly special opportunity for me and my practice."

Mr. Smith earned his undergraduate degree from Williams College and his law degree from William & Mary. He is a Fellow of the American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers and is recommended as a leading lawyer by Best Lawyers in America, Chambers, and Legal 500.

A prolific author, Mr. Smith has written numerous articles on retail consumer law over the last decade. He is vice chair of the ABA's Consumer Financial Services Committee of the Business Law Section.

In an increasingly regulated world, Covington & Burling LLP helps clients navigate their most complex business problems, deals, and disputes. Founded in 1919, the firm has more than 800 lawyers in offices in Beijing, Brussels, London, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Seoul, Shanghai, Silicon Valley, and Washington.

Contact: Rebecca Carr
+1.202.662.5110
[email protected]

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141110/157514

SOURCE Covington & Burling LLP