Hinshaw Expands Financial Services Regulatory and Compliance Practice

Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP today announced that Michael R. Guerrero has joined the firm as a partner in the Financial Services Regulatory and Compliance Practice in the Los Angeles office. Guerrero adds considerable depth and expands Hinshaw's regulatory and compliance capabilities in California and nationwide.

"California has some of the toughest consumer financial protection laws in the nation, and is looking to step up enforcement under the revamped Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI), and the state's Consumer Financial Protection Law," said Justin Penn, who leads the firm's Financial Services Practice Group. "Mike is actively involved in tracking California financial regulatory developments, and he regularly advises clients on matters related to these issues. Additionally, he brings significant experience providing practical advice on compliance with complex federal and state laws and has working relationships with state regulators, which will be of great benefit to our clients."

Guerrero advises companies within a wide range of industries on consumer protection and consumer financial services issues, including clients offering point of sale and personal property financing and leasing, rent-to-own products, and installment loans. He has particular expertise related to federal and state calling and telemarketing, credit sale, lending, credit reporting and unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts and practices (UDAAP) laws. He regularly provides guidance on the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), Telemarking Sales Rule (TSR) and the structuring of credit programs involving the financing of goods or services. In addition to his experience in BigLaw, Guerrero has held several positions as in-house counsel both at start-ups and publicly traded companies in the financial services industry, including a mortgage lender, an e-commerce credit sales platform, and a debt buyer. Guerrero's diversity of clients spans from professional sports teams and sellers of consumer goods and services to FinTech companies and traditional financial institutions.

Hinshaw's footprint in major markets, the firm's strategic expansion of its financial services practice, and a strong commitment to diversity were among the reasons Guerrero decided to make the move. Over the last five years, the firm has made strategic investments in expanding its regulatory and compliance practice, with strong footholds now in Chicago, New Orleans, New York, and Los Angeles. In 2020, experienced financial services compliance partner, Lauren Campisi joined Hinshaw along with Dustin Alonzo and Adair Kingsmill in New Orleans. In 2019, Heather McArn, former Chief of Staff and Special Counsel to the Superintendent of the New York State Department of Financial Services joined Chicago partner, Vaishali Rao, formerly of the Illinois Attorney General's Office. Hinshaw expects continued strategic growth in the financial services regulatory and compliance practice through investments in talented and experienced attorneys to continue meeting the increased needs of clients.

"I'm excited to be a part of a highly regarded, dynamic and energetic group of attorneys," Guerrero said. "The firm's strategic expansion of its financial services practice offers me an incredible opportunity to serve my clients and grow my practice. The Los Angeles office also provides excellent capabilities and resources to meet my clients' needs with both business litigation and regulatory enforcement matters."

Guerrero received his B.S. in communications, cum laude, from Arizona State University in Tempe, and his J.D., cum laude, from California Western School of Law in San Diego. He was named to the National Order of Scribes Class of 2012 by the National Association of Legal Writers. He was formerly the co-chair of the California Lawyers Association's Consumer Financial Services Committee and currently serves as the Committee's vice-chair.

"We're delighted that Mike has joined our team," said Spencer Kook, partner in charge of the L.A. office. "In this climate of increased regulatory scrutiny and enforcement in California, our financial services clients have a greater need for legal counsel and will benefit from his experience, knowledge and capabilities in the regulatory and compliance space."

Media Coverage

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