Hinshaw Welcomes Colin Winkler as a Partner in the Consumer Financial Services Group

Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP today announced that Colin Winkler has joined the firm’s Consumer Financial Services industry group as a partner in the Minneapolis office. Formerly senior counsel with ACA International, he is a seasoned litigator with a diverse background that includes private law practice, government, and in-house counsel roles.

“I have known Colin for many years, and I appreciate his skills and success as a litigator, along with his extensive knowledge and understanding of the broad scope of state and federal consumer financial regulations,” said Justin Penn, co-leader of Hinshaw’s Consumer Financial Services group. “With his addition, we are adding valuable depth to our team and expanding our capabilities in the Midwest and Minneapolis. He is highly regarded and has strong brand recognition in the industry.”

At Hinshaw, Colin focuses his practice on defending companies in the financial services and collections industry sector in litigation matters, as well as advising clients on state and federal regulatory compliance. In his role at ACA International, he provided amicus counsel in noteworthy and precedential litigation affecting the collections industry, including a successful lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a Massachusetts regulation on emergency debt collections during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He was also instrumental in the organization’s efforts to obtain a favorable industry decision in Hunstein v. Preferred Collection & Management Services, and served as amicus counsel in the US Supreme Court case TransUnion v. Ramirez.

Prior to joining ACA International, Colin served under a federal contract at the US Department of Justice, working closely with USDOJ attorneys litigating cases for the Civil Tax Division, and also practiced law at firms in Virginia and Washington, DC. He is licensed in Minnesota, DC, and Virginia. Colin decided to join Hinshaw because of the firm’s leading national Consumer Financial Services group, coast-to-coast geographic footprint, and resources in complementary legal service areas.

“This is a timely moment for me to return to the private practice of law, both in my personal life and, perhaps more so, given the tumult that the consumer financial services landscape has seen at both the federal and state level,” Colin said. “Businesses in our space need legal and regulatory counsel now more than ever, and I’m thrilled to be here to provide it. Hinshaw provides me with best-in-class resources to help grow my practice and ensure that my clients receive exceptional legal counsel.”

“Between those resources, our incredible team of CFS attorneys, and my extensive knowledge of the regulatory landscape and broad exposure to litigation outcomes and appellate work, I’m extremely well-equipped to assist clients by offering comprehensive legal, regulatory, and compliance guidance and by providing creative, intelligent, and cost-effective litigation solutions,” Colin added.

Colin received a BA in philosophy from American University and a JD from American University Washington College of Law.

Media Coverage

• • Global Legal Chronicle: "Hinshaw Welcomes Colin Winkler as a Partner in the Consumer Financial Services Group" (January 27, 2026)
  • Bloomberg Law: "Hinshaw Employs Consumer Financial Lawyer Winkler in Minneapolis" (January 22, 2026)