Highly regarded financial services and commercial litigators Stewart Clancy and Justin Opitz have joined McGuireWoods as partners in Dallas as the firm continues to expand its capabilities in a vital southwestern United States market.
Clancy and Opitz have significant litigation experience representing businesses in a variety of commercial matters, with a particular focus on defending mortgage lenders and servicers against claims filed in federal and state courts. They also handle matters related to origination and title defects and advise clients on compliance with mortgage servicing standards and federal and state laws.
Their arrival continues an ambitious Texas expansion that McGuireWoods inaugurated a year ago by opening its Dallas office – the firm’s third in Texas and its 20th worldwide. Counting Clancy and Opitz, the Dallas office has grown from its original six lawyers to 23 in less than 12 months.
“Stewart and Justin are important additions for us as we continue our growth in Dallas,” said Akash Sethi, managing partner of the firm’s Dallas office. “Banking clients will benefit immediately from the experience they bring and they strategically broaden the scope of our litigation practice.”
Clancy and Opitz also add muscle to the firm’s already formidable Consumer Financial Services Litigation Group, which has deep experience in single-plaintiff and class action claims involving mortgage servicing and foreclosure practices in federal and state courts throughout the country.
“Stewart and Justin are a great fit for our firm because of the strength they add for our financial services clients, not just in Texas but throughout the region and nationally,” said Brad Kutrow, chairman of McGuireWoods’ Financial Services Litigation Department.
Clancy earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas in 1994 and his law degree from Southern Methodist University in 2000.
“What McGuireWoods is building in Dallas is creating a lot of excitement, and I am thrilled to be part of that,” Clancy said. “I know my clients will benefit from the firm’s prowess in the financial services sector.”
Opitz received his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University in 2002 and his law degree from the University of Houston Law Center in 2005.
“I can’t imagine a better place to expand my practice than McGuireWoods,” Opitz said. “The firm’s litigation practice has a well-deserved reputation for excellence, and I look forward to contributing in every way I can.”
McGuireWoods earned a Tier 1 nationwide ranking in banking and finance litigation in the 2015 edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers’ “Best Law Firms.” Six of the firm’s financial services litigators are ranked by Chambers USA in its 2014 guide.
Source: www.mcguirewoods.com
