Akeela M. White
Akeela M. White
Partner
She/Her
"I help clients stay compliant with ever-changing regulations affecting consumer financial services, working toward mitigating operational and reputational risks so they can stay focused on growth."
Akeela M. White
Partner
She/Her
"I help clients stay compliant with ever-changing regulations affecting consumer financial services, working toward mitigating operational and reputational risks so they can stay focused on growth."
About Akeela
Akeela advises financial services companies on consumer protection laws and compliance related to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, Military Lending Act, and Fair Credit Reporting Act. She draws on her knowledge of consumer protection laws in all 50 states and federal regulations, and on her government and in-house counsel experience to assist clients navigating consumer protection issues.
Areas of Focus
Experience
- Represented a debt collection agency client in a Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Supervisory Exam by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The result for the client was minimal Matters Requiring Attention (MRAs), and no fines or penalties were imposed. In this capacity, the Hinshaw team drafted all responses to the examiners, attended all exam meetings, communicated with all service providers, created all presentations to the examiners, responded to a PARR letter, responded to MRAs, and provided validation metrics and information post-exam.
- Retained by a debt collection agency to support them in a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau supervisory examination. The team assisted with drafting targeted responses to the bureau, drafted and prepared responses to the bureau’s preliminary findings, and provided advice as to how the internal stakeholders should address concerns. Hinshaw also assisted in developing ongoing compliance operations to address any deficiencies, including developing complex methods to assist with the newer implemented Regulation F.
- Representation of debt collection company in an enforcement proceeding brought by the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. The case involved a "hot topic" for federal agencies – specifically, medical debt collection. The team developed a response and defense strategy, produced large amounts of information and data in response to a subpoena, prepared the client for hearings, and presented detailed and robust defenses in response to potential violations of law. The FTC took no further action as a result of our responses.
Recognition
- University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, UIC Law Review (formerly John Marshall Law Review); Dean’s List
Credentials
Education
J.D., University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, 2008
B.A., Illinois State University, 2002
Bar Admissions
- Illinois
Thought Leadership
Presentations
-
Co-Presenter, "Regulatory Landscape from a State Perspective," Chicagoland Compliance Association's (CCA) Annual Conference Oak Brook, Illinois, October 16, 2025
- Co-Presenter, "Consumer – SCRA and MLA Updates and Recommendations," 2025 Auto Finance Seminar, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Chicago, Illinois, May 1, 2025
- Co-Presenter, "Consumer – FCRA Litigation Updates, Regulatory Enforcement Trends & Compliance Recommendations," 2024 Auto Finance Seminar, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Chicago, Illinois, May 16, 2024
- Co-Presenter, "The State of the States – Key State Law Cases and Trends," Mortgage Bankers Association, Legal Issues and Regulatory Compliance Conference, San Diego, California, May 7, 2024
- Co-Presenter, "Preventing FCRA Dispute Lawsuits," AccountsRecovery.net, Webinar, February 23, 2024
Blog Posts
Events
- Trio of Hinshaw Partners Present on the Regulatory Landscape from a State Perspective at the Chicagoland Compliance Association Inc. Annual Conference, Oct 16, 2025
- Third Annual Driving Ahead Auto Finance Seminar: Insights from Industry Leaders, May 1, 2025
- Driving Ahead Auto Finance Seminar: Insights from Industry Leaders, May 16, 2024
- Hinshaw Attorneys Present at Firm-Sponsored Mortgage Bankers Association's Legal Issues and Regulatory Compliance Conference 2024, May 5-8, 2024
- Akeela White to Present at the 2023 ACA International Convention & Expo, Jul 28, 2023
In The News
- Akeela White Analyzes in ARM Compliance Digest: Ohio Appellate Court Upholds Debt Buyer’s Win in FDCPA Case, Sep 24, 2025
- Akeela White Analyzes in ARM Compliance Digest: CFPB Publishes Plan for Handling Criminal Regulatory Offenses, Jul 29, 2025
- Akeela White Analyzes in ARM Compliance Digest: California Appeals Court Upholds Dismissal of FCRA Suit for Lack of Standing, Oct 14, 2024
- Akeela White Analyzes a FCRA Case Decision Regarding Reasonable Investigation in ARM Compliance Digest, Nov 16, 2022
- Akeela White Provides 8 Consumer Protection Tips for Financial Service Companies, Sep 16, 2022
Press Releases
Interests
Did you know...
If Akeela were not a lawyer, she would be an industrial filmmaker.
Thought Leadership
Presentations
-
Co-Presenter, "Regulatory Landscape from a State Perspective," Chicagoland Compliance Association's (CCA) Annual Conference Oak Brook, Illinois, October 16, 2025
- Co-Presenter, "Consumer – SCRA and MLA Updates and Recommendations," 2025 Auto Finance Seminar, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Chicago, Illinois, May 1, 2025
- Co-Presenter, "Consumer – FCRA Litigation Updates, Regulatory Enforcement Trends & Compliance Recommendations," 2024 Auto Finance Seminar, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Chicago, Illinois, May 16, 2024
- Co-Presenter, "The State of the States – Key State Law Cases and Trends," Mortgage Bankers Association, Legal Issues and Regulatory Compliance Conference, San Diego, California, May 7, 2024
- Co-Presenter, "Preventing FCRA Dispute Lawsuits," AccountsRecovery.net, Webinar, February 23, 2024
Blog Posts
Events
- Trio of Hinshaw Partners Present on the Regulatory Landscape from a State Perspective at the Chicagoland Compliance Association Inc. Annual Conference, Oct 16, 2025
- Third Annual Driving Ahead Auto Finance Seminar: Insights from Industry Leaders, May 1, 2025
- Driving Ahead Auto Finance Seminar: Insights from Industry Leaders, May 16, 2024
- Hinshaw Attorneys Present at Firm-Sponsored Mortgage Bankers Association's Legal Issues and Regulatory Compliance Conference 2024, May 5-8, 2024
- Akeela White to Present at the 2023 ACA International Convention & Expo, Jul 28, 2023
In The News
- Akeela White Analyzes in ARM Compliance Digest: Ohio Appellate Court Upholds Debt Buyer’s Win in FDCPA Case, Sep 24, 2025
- Akeela White Analyzes in ARM Compliance Digest: CFPB Publishes Plan for Handling Criminal Regulatory Offenses, Jul 29, 2025
- Akeela White Analyzes in ARM Compliance Digest: California Appeals Court Upholds Dismissal of FCRA Suit for Lack of Standing, Oct 14, 2024
- Akeela White Analyzes a FCRA Case Decision Regarding Reasonable Investigation in ARM Compliance Digest, Nov 16, 2022
- Akeela White Provides 8 Consumer Protection Tips for Financial Service Companies, Sep 16, 2022
Press Releases
Akeela's Insights
Press Release
Nov 25, 2024
Hinshaw Partner Akeela M. White Selected for Chicago Veterans' “24 in 2024”
Event
May 16, 2024
Driving Ahead Auto Finance Seminar: Insights from Industry Leaders
Consumer Crossroads: Where Financial Services and Litigation Intersect
Feb 19, 2024
CFPB Revises the Supervisory Appeals Process for Financial Institutions
Consumer Crossroads: Where Financial Services and Litigation Intersect
Jan 19, 2024
Event
Thursday, May 4, 2023
