Best Lawyers in America for Financial Services Regulation Law
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John Podvin Jr. is a partner in the firm with more than 25 years of regulatory agency, law firm, and corporate experience. He is based in Dallas, Texas, where he works nationally with the firm’s clients. His practice areas include banking and financial services, litigation, corporate governance, finance, financial crisis advisory and litigation, financial regulatory, government relations strategy, and mergers and acquisitions. As outside counsel, Mr. Podvin works closely with the firm&r...
Wendell's practice focuses on representing financial institutions in government enforcement actions, regulatory compliance matters, internal audits, and real property controversies. Wendell’s litigation experience is broad, having represented clients in a wide variety of matters but with a particular focus in financial services, consumer finance, real property and construction litigation. In addition to litigation, his practice includes performing internal risk assessments and regulator...
Richard Latta is a partner in the Business Practice Group, Co-chair of the Reorganizations, Financial Restructuring and Workouts Group, and a leader of the firm’s Distressed Real Estate Group. He practices in the areas of corporate and partnership acquisitions and reorganizations, debt restructurings, corporate banking transactions, corporate governance matters, tax law, and planning for closely-held businesses, including succession planning for generational transfers of wealth. In addition t...
Key players in the financial services industry, including banks, mortgage companies, and wealth management and investment advisory firms, rely on Chris to guide them through business combination and securities transactions, as well as ownership transition and succession planning transactions. His knowledge is also sought on corporate governance matters and new business formation and registration. Chris Frieden, former co-chair of Alston & Bird’s Financial Services & Products Gro...
Melvin S. Shotten is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Financial Services Regulation Law and Health Care Law. Melvin S., who practices law in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been recognized since 2003. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Melvin S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Angelica Rankins is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Financial Services Regulation Law and Litigation - Banking and Finance. Angelica, who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Angelica is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Ondrej Chvosta is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law and Financial Services Regulation Law. Ondrej, who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ondrej is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Jessica Notebaert regularly represents broker-dealers and other market participants in regulatory investigations and enforcement actions involving the federal securities laws, self-regulatory organization rules and regulations, and state securities laws. She frequently represents clients in securities matters before the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the US Department of Justice, FINRA, the Massachusetts Securities Division and other states securities regulators, and the securities ex...
Sean D. Locklear is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Financial Services Regulation Law. Sean D., who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sean D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Carrie Stickel concentrates her practice on litigation and enforcement matters relating to the financial services industry and the federal securities laws. Carrie represents individuals and companies in regulatory and enforcement matters and in federal and state court litigation. She has considerable experience with the federal securities laws, regulatory investigations, and internal investigations. Carrie frequently defends enforcement proceedings before the Securities Exchange Commission (S...
Nate Balk is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Financial Services Regulation Law. Nate, who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nate is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Ella Beres is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law and Financial Services Regulation Law. Ella, who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ella is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Kristen Yarows is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Financial Services Regulation Law. Kristen, who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kristen is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Arielle Stephenson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law and Financial Services Regulation Law. Arielle, who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Arielle is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Allison Raley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Financial Services Regulation Law and Securities Regulation. Allison, who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Allison is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Shelby Schwartz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Financial Services Regulation Law and Privacy and Data Security Law. Shelby, who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Shelby is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.