Lowenstein Sandler LLP on Tuesday announced the formation of its new Multi-State Securities, Money Transmitter & Lending Regulatory Group. This cross-disciplinary practice is designed to assist clients—including fintech companies, broker-dealers, investment advisers, and issuers—in navigating the increasingly complex and fragmented tapestry of state and federal financial regulation.
The group is co-led by partners Christopher Gerold, the former chief of the New Jersey Bureau of Securities and William Brannan. The practice integrates state securities enforcement experience with multi-state financial services licensing capabilities, providing a singular platform for businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions.
The interdisciplinary team operates at the intersection where securities, lending, payments, and money transmission oversight frequently collide with state authorities. It includes partners Ethan Silver, co-chair of the firm’s FinTech, Crypto, Trading & Markets and Chair of the Broker-Dealer practices, and Leo Choi.
Gerold, who brings deep insight from his time as the former President of the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) and a two-time Chair of NASAA’s Enforcement Committee, emphasized the group’s specialized focus.
“We understand the real-world challenges broker-dealers, investment advisers, fintech companies, and issuers face with blue sky compliance, multi-state investigations, and fast-changing regulatory expectations across all 50 states,” Gerold said. “We bring deep experience in nationwide state securities laws, regulatory examinations, and enforcement trends to help clients anticipate issues, respond quickly, and operate with confidence in every jurisdiction where they do business.”
Partner William Brannan highlighted the necessity of managing regulatory risk from a business’s inception, particularly for innovators in the financial services sector.
“Financial services businesses increasingly scale across jurisdictions from day one,” Brannan noted. “Success depends on anticipating where state and federal oversight align, where they diverge, and how to manage both. Our team is built to deliver that strategy.”
He added that the need for efficient licensing, registration, examinations, and ongoing compliance across 50 states can create significant risk for growing companies. Lowenstein’s new group will assist clients in designing business models and compliance programs that scale efficiently while meeting each jurisdiction’s unique requirements.
Lowenstein Sandler, a national law firm with over 375 lawyers, maintains offices in New York, Palo Alto, Roseland, Washington, D.C., and Utah, with particular strength in technology, private equity, and complex litigation.
