As it continues to advance its global strategy to expand upon a world-class financial services practice, Reed Smith announced that consumer banking regulatory and litigation lawyer Christina Vitale has joined the firm’s Financial Industry Group as a partner in Houston. Prior to joining Reed Smith, Vitale was a partner at Morgan Lewis.
Vitale counsels clients on complex matters before US state and federal courts, with an emphasis on financial services class actions and banking and enforcement actions. She also represents clients before federal and state regulatory agencies, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and state attorneys general.
Furthermore, Vitale advises on consumer protection matters and unfair/deceptive business practices, bankruptcy litigation and claims issues, forensic accounting issues, including identity theft and wire fraud/credit card fraud, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, state unfair competition laws, data privacy issues, and the US Bankruptcy Code. Vitale also brings class action expertise that extends beyond traditional financial services clients to non-bank and other retail lenders.
“Christina’s financial services class action litigation and regulatory practice fits well with the firm and her relationships with current firm clients bolsters that capability and broadens our contacts,” said Ed Estrada, global chair of Reed Smith’s Financial Industry Group. “By adding Christina to our team, we are continuing our pursuit of building a consumer banking regulatory and litigation practice that has a significant presence throughout the U.S., and one that can compete with any global law firm.”
Vitale’s arrival follows that of fellow FIG litigation partner Jay Thornton in Miami in June and of FIG transactional partner Eric Holland to Houston several months ago.
“Houston – and Texas in general – has long been an area of strategic importance for both bank and non-bank lenders. As such, our clients with a presence in the region expect their outside counsel to be able to provide both local and national legal advice on regulatory and litigation matter,” said Ken Broughton, Reed Smith managing partner in Houston. “In bringing Christina aboard, we are building upon a robust financial services presence in Houston, and look forward to her contributing to the growth of the practice and the continued success of our office.”
Vitale received her J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law (summa cum laude) in 2005, and her B.A. from the University of Arizona (magna cum laude) in 2002.
Source: www.reedsmith.com
