An impressive breadth of knowledge and experience … highly competent and pragmatic ... very proactive.Chambers USA
Christopher M. Witeck
Partner
Biography
Chris Witeck co-leads Orrick’s global Strategic Advisory & Government Enforcement (SAGE) Business Unit – a team of 270 lawyers focused on delivering forward-looking, synthesized regulatory and commercial solutions. SAGE delivers sector-focused advice, integrating perspectives from Orrick’s practices in financial & fintech regulation, enforcement and transactions; white collar; privacy & cybersecurity; competition; public policy, trade and technology transactions.
An impressive breadth of knowledge and experience … highly competent and pragmatic ... very proactive.Chambers USA
In The News
Orrick, Buckley Combine To Form Financial Services & Fintech Law Powerhouse
Orrick and Buckley jointly announced the strategic combination, which responds to growing demand from the most innovative companies and financial institutions for forward-looking regulatory and enforcement advice.
Press ReleasesBuckley and Orrick: A letter to our clients and friends
Our clients tell us that the need has never been greater for forward-looking, synthesized regulatory advice – combined with litigation and transactional counsel. In response, we are thrilled to jointly announce that Orrick and Buckley have combined forces, effective February 1, 2023.
Announcements"Orrick to merge with Buckley, nearly doubling its DC footprint" (The American Lawyer)
Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe is merging with Washington, D.C.-founded Am Law 200 firm Buckley, adding significant strength to Orrick in financial regulation, enforcement and litigation and doubling its footprint in the nation’s capital. The merger, expected to close by the end of January, is...
In The NewsBuckley recognized as a Washington Post Top Workplace for eighth consecutive year
The Washington Post selected Buckley as a Top Workplace for the eighth consecutive year, making it one of only 14 companies to achieve such recognition. The award is based on confidential and candid employee-feedback surveys that measure workplace culture and professional...
AnnouncementsLegal 500 2022 recognizes 18 Buckley attorneys in five practice areas
“They treat their clients better than any other law firm I’ve experienced,” is what one respondent said about Buckley LLP to Legal 500, which ranked the firm as a top law firm in five categories and recognized 18 of its attorneys for its 2022 edition.
The publication recognized...
AnnouncementsBuckley recognized by Chambers USA for consumer financial services, white collar, and fintech practices
Chambers USA named Buckley LLP a nationwide Band 1 firm in all consumer finance categories in its 2022 rankings, recognizing six of its partners in those practices. The firm received top recognition in Consumer Finance Compliance, Consumer Finance Litigation, and Consumer Finance...
AnnouncementsBuckley earns perfect score in Corporate Equality Index for seventh consecutive year
Buckley received a perfect score on the 2022 Corporate Equality Index for the seventh consecutive year. The national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality is administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
“Diversity...
AnnouncementsLegal 500 2021 recognizes 17 Buckley attorneys in six practice areas
“While some firms will provide lengthy and expensive legal analysis, Buckley’s team relies on their depth and breadth of expertise to provide useful guidance from various team members quickly and efficiently,” a respondent told Legal 500, which ranked Buckley LLP as a top law firm and...
AnnouncementsBuckley recognized by Chambers USA for consumer financial services, white collar practices
Chambers USA named Buckley LLP a nationwide Band 1 firm in all consumer finance categories in its 2021 rankings, recognizing nine of its partners in those practices — more than any other firm in the country. The firm received top recognition in Consumer Finance Compliance, Consumer...
AnnouncementsLegal 500 2020 recognizes 21 Buckley attorneys in six practice areas
“Buckley attorneys are incredibly responsive while providing top quality legal services,” is how respondents described the firm in the 2020 edition of Legal 500, which ranked Buckley as a top law firm and recognized it in six categories:
- Corporate Investigations and White ...
Buckley recognized by Chambers USA as a “top-notch” firm in financial services and white collar work
Buckley has once again received top recognition in financial services regulation, white collar crime/government investigations, and fintech from Chambers USA, which ranks the country’s leading firms and lawyers in a range of practice areas based on research and client interviews....
AnnouncementsCovid-19 update from Buckley LLP
We know you are receiving a number of coronavirus-related communications, so we’ll be brief: We’re in this together and ready to serve. The coronavirus crisis is changing rapidly, and we are taking steps to lessen the impact on our law firm, our clients, and our communities.
Health,...
AnnouncementsBuckley recognized by Chambers USA as a “first-rate firm” in financial services; “crème de la crème” for White Collar practice
Buckley has once again received top recognition in financial services regulation and white collar crime/government investigations from Chambers USA, which ranks the country’s leading firms and lawyers in a range of practice areas based on research and client interviews.
In total...
AnnouncementsBuckley announces name and leadership changes
WASHINGTON, DC (Jan. 17, 2019) – Buckley Sandler LLP, a premier national law firm focused on financial services, white collar defense, and complex civil litigation, has changed its name to Buckley LLP and reorganized its governance structure and leadership team. The decision to shorten the firm’s...
Press ReleasesBuckley Sandler ranked for fintech by Chambers USA
Buckley Sandler has been highly ranked in the area of Fintech by Chambers USA, a well-regarded ranking agency of law firms and lawyers.
Chambers placed the firm in its Band 2 ranking and commended it for “an impressive depth of ready...
Announcements
Publications
Special Alert: Election Results - Preliminary Thoughts and Reactions
As a result of last Tuesday’s election, Republicans will control the White House and both houses of Congress in 2017. It is likely there ultimately will be some significant changes affecting financial services regulation and enforcement, but they will take time to implement. The President-elect has...
ArticlesSpecial Alert: CFPB Finalizes Amendments to Mortgage Servicing Rules
On August 4, the CFPB issued its long-awaited final amendments to the mortgage servicing provisions of Regulations X and Z. The Bureau had sought comment on the proposed rule in December 2014, more than 18 months ago. Spanning 900 pages, the final rule makes significant changes that will impact...
ArticlesSpecial Alert: Maryland Ruling Opens New Front in Battle Over Bank Partnership Model
On June 23, the Maryland Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court judgment holding that a non-bank entity assisting consumers obtain loans from an out-of-state bank and then repurchasing those loans days later qualifies as a “credit service business” under the Maryland Credit Services Business Act (...
ArticlesVendor Management in 2015 and Beyond
With evolving regulatory expectations and increased enforcement exposure, financial institutions are under more scrutiny than ever. Nowhere is this more evident than in the management and oversight of service providers. When service providers are part of an institution’s business practice,...
ArticlesSpecial Alert: CFPB Bulletin Re-Emphasizes Focus on Mortgage Servicing Transfers
On August 19, 2014, the CFPB issued Bulletin 2014-01 to address “potential risks to consumers that may arise in connection with transfers of residential mortgage servicing rights.” The bulletin, which is the latest in a series of CFPB regulations, statements, and guidance on this subject, replaces...
ArticlesSpecial Alert: Federal Reserve Board Guidance on Managing Outsourcing Risks Mirrors Recent OCC Guidance
On December 5, 2013, the Federal Reserve Board (FRB or the Fed) issued Supervision and Regulation Letter 13-19 , which details and attaches the Fed’s Guidance on Managing Outsourcing Risk (FRB Guidance). The FRB Guidance sets forth risks arising out of the use of service providers and the...
ArticlesSpecial Alert: OCC Updates Third-Party Risk Management Guidance
On October 30, the OCC issued Bulletin 2013-29 to update guidance relating to third-party risk management. The Bulletin, which rescinds OCC Bulletin 2001-47 and OCC Advisory Letter 2000-9, requires banks and federal savings associations (collectively “banks”) to provide comprehensive oversight of...
Articles
Awards and Recognitions
Awards & Recognitions
- Chambers USA: Fintech: Payments & Lending
- Legal 500: Financial Services Regulation; Fintech
Education
- J.D., Georgetown University, 1998
- B.A., University of Virginia, 1993
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- New York
- Virginia
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit