Best Lawyers in America for Banking and Finance Law

Thomas W. Lawless earned his JD in 1980 from the Nashville School of Law and was admitted to practice in Tennessee in 1981. He is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Tennessee as well as the Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit, Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. He is a board certified Creditors’ Rights Law Specialist by the American Board of Certification and the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Speci...

Stephen T. Ramey is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. Stephen T., who practices law in Indianapolis, Indiana, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stephen T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Adam Spiegel focuses his practice on representing lenders and borrowers in commercial finance transactions, with an emphasis on structuring, negotiating and documenting secured and unsecured personal-property financing transactions, private equity, mezzanine and venture capital investments, workouts and restructurings, and debtor-in-possession financings. Read full biography: https://www.mwe.com/people/spiegel-adam/

Publications: City of Cleveland v. Deusche Bank Trust Co., et al. , LexisNexis Expert Commentaries (February 2008). Consumer Credit: Law, Transactions and Forms , author, Matthew Bender & Company, six volumes (1984-present). Banking Law , contributing principal author, Matthew Bender & Company, four volumes, part of a 13-volume treatise (1980-present). Rabkin & Johnson Current Legal Forms , contributing author, Matthew Bender & Company (1979-1999). Credit Union Law Service , c...

Dennis is an innovative and creative thinker who helps clients find the best path to their desired goals. He has more than 35 years of experience over hundreds of transactions in the strategy, structure, and successful execution of mergers and acquisitions and other capital transactions. Dennis regularly advises clients on the mergers and acquisitions of financial institutions, the raising of additional capital through public and private offerings of equity and debt instruments, and other str...

Matthew Doring is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. Matthew, who practices law in Boston, Massachusetts, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Harry Hamlin has over 20 years of experience advising numerous financial institutions, business entities, REITs and individual clients in all aspects of commercial transactions including complex lending and contractual matters as well as the conveyance, purchase, development and leasing of real property. He also counsels clients on municipal finance, tax exempt, tax credit and 1031 transactions. His expertise in securing liquor permits from the Alcohol Beverage Control division is invaluable ...

Bill's practice experience encompasses the formation, regulation, and operation of banks and bank holding companies; securities offerings and reporting; mergers and acquisitions; and corporate governance matters pertaining to publicly-held companies. He has been rated by his peers as being "preeminent" in his fields of law. Prior to joining the Firm, Bill served as vice president and general counsel/corporate secretary for one of North Carolina's multi-bank holding companies.

Eric M. Pfeifle is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. Eric M., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Eric M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Elizabeth Murphy advises institutional and nonbank lenders on the origination and servicing of conduit and portfolio real estate loans. She is active in the firm’s Women’s Initiative and has been honored by the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy with its 2021 Pro Bono Award. Elizabeth represents senior and mezzanine lenders and borrowers in the origination and servicing of conduit and portfolio loans. She concentrates in originating loans secured by complex collateral structures ...

Kalyan "Kal" Das is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. Kalyan, who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kalyan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. Kal Das focuses on global bank and institutional finance, structured finance, project finance, asset securitization, di...

Douglas S. Gosden is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law and Commercial Finance Law. Douglas S., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2009. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Douglas S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Christopher Wappel is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. He focuses on commercial lending and finance. Christopher has practiced law since 1999. He represents borrowers, agents, and lenders in structuring, negotiating, and documenting senior and subordinated, secured and unsecured, and bilateral and syndicated credit facilities, including acquisition, asset-based, oil and gas, real estate, receivables, vessel, and working capital financings. Christopher also has significant experience...

Laurie Levin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law and Real Estate Law. Laurie, who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Laurie is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

R. Daniel Settle, Jr. has more than 40 years of experience in public finance, representing cities, counties, special districts, nonprofit corporations, investment bankers and other financial institutions in connection with structuring financings for a variety of projects including public infrastructure, economic development, affordable housing and health care. Mr. Settle is a member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers and the Texas Association of Bank Counsel.

Scott Fielding’s practice is primarily in the areas of real estate law, real estate acquisition and development, title insurance, office, medical office and retail leasing, condominium and condominium association law, commercial lending (represents both borrowers and lenders), and general corporate transactions. Scott serves as an instructor at The Nashville School of Law in the area of Property Law and Advanced Property Law. Mr. Fielding is a 1999 graduate of Vanderbilt Law School, whe...