Financial Institutions
McGuireWoods represents banks, bank holding companies, trust companies and other financial institutions in a full range of corporate, lending and regulatory compliance matters. We advise clients in corporate transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and sales of assets and companies, as well as day-to-day matters involving intellectual property, employee benefits, and labor and employment law. Our experienced banking and finance team provides guidance on commercial and real estate loan transactions, consumer lending advice, organization of proprietary mutual funds, asset securitizations, corporate finance and securities-related transactions.
Following the recent spate of highly publicized financial and accounting scandals — and the corresponding increase in government oversight — compliance with banking and consumer finance regulations has become more important than ever. We advise clients on state and federal securities and consumer credit law compliance, and in the areas of regulatory and governmental relations, securitization of receivables, secured and unsecured product development, consumer insurance, and all other consumer credit-related areas.
In the area of consumer finance, our experienced litigators have handled individual and class action litigation arising in the context of credit cards, mortgage loans, mobile home loans and other consumer loans, both secured and unsecured, as well as consumer retail transactions involving automobiles and other consumer goods and services. McGuireWoods’ litigation experience also extends to related areas, including data privacy, debt collection, credit reporting, consumer bankruptcy and all types of commercial litigation.
With creditors’ rights and bankruptcy lawyers located in many of the firm’s offices, we represent debtors and lenders in loan workouts, bankruptcies, restructurings and related litigation across the country. In connection with problem credits, we serve as counsel to many of the primary lenders in the United States. We also have substantial experience as bankruptcy counsel to public and nonpublic companies that either file for bankruptcy relief or are considering a consensual resolution to financial issues. We frequently serve as counsel to indenture trustees and creditors committees, and have substantial depth representing clients in the acquisition of assets from companies experiencing financial difficulties.
McGuireWoods has one of the largest public finance practices in the mid-Atlantic region. The firm has represented numerous financial institutions, investment banking firms, financial advisors and underwriters in connection with tax-exempt financings. Our relationship with both regional and national financial institutions and underwriters is an important asset to our clients. Our public finance lawyers have participated in presentations by issuers to rating agencies and have assisted issuers in obtaining ratings for a wide variety of financing structures, including issues that have received the highest rating from rating agencies.
We closely monitor industry trends and regulatory developments and are active in various organizations, including the Securities Industry Association Legal and Compliance Division, National Society of Compliance Professionals, American Bar Association Litigation and Business Sections, and local bar associations. Our lawyers regularly speak at securities seminars and conferences and publish topical articles. Certain members of the practice team are FINRA- and AAA-approved arbitrators and mediators.
