He is very adept at seeing legal issues from a business perspective and very good at protecting the interests of his client … a phenomenal lawyer.Chambers USA
Clinton R. Rockwell
Co-Managing Partner
Biography
Clinton Rockwell is a Co-Managing Partner of Buckley LLP and a member of the firm’s partner board. He advises a variety of clients on consumer financial services matters, including private equity, banks, mortgage companies, fintech lenders, auto lenders, commercial lenders, secondary market loan purchasers, and securities broker-dealers, regarding regulatory, licensing, compliance, and transactional matters on a nationwide basis. His work also includes advising on California-specific lending matters, including the California Finance Lender Law, among other California lending laws.
Specifically, Mr. Rockwell has been involved with matters including:
- Compliance regarding the enumerated laws under the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) purview
- Federal preemption of state consumer and commercial credit laws, including rate exportation/most favored lender issues
- Acquisitions of mortgage and consumer lending platforms by private equity companies
- Bank partnership models and true lender implications
- Issues unique to fintech companies, both in the consumer and commercial lending context
- Federal Housing Administration (FHA) lending and servicing
- 50-state consumer lending compliance
- Licensing and regulatory compliance in connection with state mortgage banker, broker, consumer, and commercial loan laws
- Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) compliance, including affiliated business arrangements and joint ventures
- Federal and state enforcement examinations
Mr. Rockwell was selected for inclusion in Chambers USA (2010-2022), where he is currently ranked in Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance), and was described as "very adept at seeing legal issues from a business perspective and very good at protecting the interests of his client … a phenomenal lawyer." He is a member of the American Bar Association Consumer Financial Services Committee, the University of London Post Graduate Law Society, and the Bentham Society at University College London.
Mr. Rockwell was one of the original members of Buckley Kolar LLP, joining the firm as an Associate at its formation in January 2004. Prior to joining Buckley, he was with Goodwin Procter LLP in Washington, D.C. He received his LL.M. from University College London, his J.D. from the George Washington University, and his B.A. from the University of California, San Diego.
He is very adept at seeing legal issues from a business perspective and very good at protecting the interests of his client … a phenomenal lawyer.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 are combining forces, effective on or about February 1.
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 NewsLegal 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...
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...
AnnouncementsClinton R. Rockwell and Chris Hilliard extensively quoted in Westlaw Today article, “Buckley joins subsidiary craze as firms market tech-enabled solutions”
In the Westlaw Today article, “Buckley joins subsidiary craze as firms market tech-enabled solutions,” Buckley Partner Clinton R. Rockwell and Winnow Chief Operating Officer Chris Hilliard discussed the firm’s launch of its new regulatory research tool, Winnow. Rockwell said, “A financial services...
In The NewsClinton R. Rockwell and Chris Hilliard extensively quoted in Law.com article, “Creating new revenue stream, Buckley launches fintech subsidiary"
Buckley Partner Clinton R. Rockwell and Winnow Chief Operations Officer Chris Hilliard were extensively quoted in the Law.com article, “Creating new revenue stream, Buckley launches fintech subsidiary,” which highlighted the rollout of the firm’s new technology product Winnow — a comprehensive and...
In The NewsLegal 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....
AnnouncementsClinton R. Rockwell interviewed in California Mortgage Bankers Association podcast
This podcast from the California Mortgage Bankers Association features an interview with Clinton R. Rockwell on a variety of topics surrounding the mortgage industry, including how Covid-19 is impacting the mortgage industry. Rockwell noted, “A lot of the guidance is solving a specific problem, or...
In The NewsClinton R. Rockwell quoted in Law360 article, “Newsom aims to revamp biz oversight to fill Trump vacuum”
Clinton R. Rockwell was quoted extensively on January 10, 2020 in a Law360 article, “Newsom aims to revamp biz oversight to fill Trump vacuum,” which discussed Governor Newsom’s plan to restructure the California Department of Business Oversight to better protect consumers and promote the...
In The NewsBuckley 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 recognized by Chambers USA as “an excellent firm” with “a fine stable of expert attorneys”
Buckley Sandler once again has 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 by researching the firms and interviewing...
Announcements
Publications
"Commercial lenders brace for consumer-style disclosures in California and beyond" by Clinton R. Rockwell and Kathryn L. Ryan (Equipment Leasing & Finance Magazine)
In September 2018, California became the first state to enact commercial financing legislation requiring consumer-style disclosures similar to those required for consumer loans under the federal Truth in Lending Act (TILA) and Regulation Z. Senate Bill 1235, the common shorthand for the new statute...
Articles"Reducing the regulatory risk of merchant cash advances and factoring" by Clinton R. Rockwell and Lauren Frank (Law360)
A growing number of courts and regulators have reached different conclusions on whether factoring and merchant cash advances constitute loans subject to state lender licensing and usury regulations, leaving many factoring companies and their clients without legal certainty about the nature of the...
ArticlesC-Suite Financial Services Review: Building a Better Compliance Management System
The change in leadership and direction at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has prompted many providers of consumer financial services to question the importance of a rigorous, well-coordinated compliance management system. Changing emphasis and easing back — and saving some time and expense...
C-Suite ReviewC-Suite Financial Services Review: The Return of the Wholesale Mortgage Broker
The prevalence of wholesale mortgage brokers has fluctuated dramatically in the past two decades, peaking in the mid-to-late 2000s due to high homebuyer demand and a comparatively lax regulatory environment, and crashing with the housing market and subsequent financial crisis. The massive overhaul...
C-Suite ReviewSpecial Alert: OCC Takes the Next Step Toward a Fintech National Bank Charter
On December 2, 2016, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) announced its plans to move forward with developing a special purpose national bank charter for financial technology (“fintech”) companies. Accompanying the Comptroller of the Currency, Thomas J. Curry’s announcement, the...
ArticlesSpecial 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: D.C. Circuit Panel Rejects CFPB's RESPA Interpretation and Alters its Structure in PHH Corp. v. CFPB
On October 11, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued an opinion vacating a $109 million penalty imposed on PHH Corporation under the anti-kickback provisions of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), concluding that the CFPB...
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: CFPB Proposes Amendments to Know Before You Owe/TRID Rule
On Friday, the CFPB issued its much anticipated proposal to amend the KBYO/TRID rule. The CFPB crowded dozens of proposed changes into the almost 300 page proposal, most of which are highly technical and require careful examination. As the Bureau has signaled since its intention to issue amendments...
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 (...
ArticlesSpecial Alert: CFPB Plans to Propose TRID Amendments in July
Director Cordray announced yesterday in a letter to industry trade groups that the CFPB has "begun drafting a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on the Know Before You Owe Rule.” However, contrary to some reports, the proposal is not imminent. Instead, Director Cordray stated that the Bureau “...
ArticlesSpecial Alert: CFPB Director Opines on TRID Liability
On December 29, 2015, CFPB Director Richard Cordray issued a letter in response to concerns raised by the Mortgage Bankers Association regarding violations of the CFPB’s new TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure (“TRID”) rule, also known as the Know Before You Owe rule. In an effort to address concerns...
ArticlesThe CFPB Doesn't Like Your MSA
It is no secret that marketing service agreements (“MSAs”) are under increased scrutiny. In addition to initiating numerous enforcement actions, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) recently issued Compliance Bulletin 2015-05, titled “RESPA Compliance and Marketing Service Agreements...
ArticlesConsumer Financial Services Answer Book 2016
The fifth edition of the Practising Law Institute’s Consumer Financial Services Answer Book was published this month, with 29 Buckley Sandler attorneys contributing to this leading desk reference. The 2016 edition of the Consumer Financial Services Answer Book continues to provide practitioners...
ArticlesSpecial Alert: CFPB Adopts Significant Expansion of HMDA Requirements
On October 15, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the CFPB or Bureau) issued a final rule that will expand the scope of the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data reporting requirements while seeking to streamline certain existing requirements. Although some of the new data points the...
ArticlesSpecial Alert: CFPB Issues Guidance Regarding Marketing Services Agreements
On October 8, 2015, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) published a compliance bulletin providing guidance to mortgage industry participants regarding the permissibility of marketing services agreements (“MSAs”) under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (“RESPA”). The bulletin...
ArticlesSpecial Alert: CFPB Officially Delays TRID Rule Until October 3
The CFPB finalized a rule today that delays the effective date of the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure (“TRID”) rule, including all amendments, from August 1 to October 3, 2015 . This is consistent with the proposed rule issued last month, which we wrote about here . The CFPB considered...
ArticlesSpecial Alert: CFPB Launches First Monthly Complaint Report Providing Snapshot of Consumer Trends
On July 16, 2015, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB” or “Bureau”) launched the first in a new series of monthly complaint reports highlighting key trends from consumer complaints submitted to the CFPB. Importantly, its monthly report provides significant detail on the complaints the...
ArticlesSpecial Alert: CFPB Issues Proposal to Delay TRID Rule Until October 3
The CFPB issued a proposed rule today to delay the effective date of the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure (“TRID”) rule, including all amendments, from August 1 to October 3, 2015. The proposed delayed effective date is two days later than the date announced last week so that the effective date...
ArticlesSpecial Alert: CFPB Will Propose to Delay TRID Rule Until October 1
Two weeks after declining requests from industry and members of Congress for delayed enforcement of the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure (“TRID”) rule, the CFPB announced today that it will be issuing a proposed amendment to delay the rule’s effective date from August 1 to October 1, 2015. CFPB...
ArticlesSpecial Alert: CFPB Consent Order Applies Loan Originator Compensation Rule to Marketing Services Agreements
On Friday, the CFPB announced a consent order against Guarantee Mortgage Corporation , resolving allegations that the company paid loan originators based on the terms of their mortgage loans in violation of the Loan Originator Compensation Rule (the “LO Comp Rule”). Since inheriting responsibility...
ArticlesSpecial Alert: USDA-RHS Proposes Its Own QM Rule
On March 5, 2015, the USDA-RHS released a proposed rule to amend the regulations for the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) to provide that a loan guaranteed by USDA-RHS is a QM if it meets certain requirements set forth by the CFPB. In addition, USDA-RHS proposed to add the...
ArticlesSpecial Alert: CFPB Finalizes Amendments to TILA-RESPA Integrated Mortgage Disclosures
On January 20, 2015, the CFPB finalized amendments to the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure (“TRID”) rule that make a number of amendments, clarifications, and corrections, including: Relaxing the redisclosure requirements after a rate lock. The final rule permits creditors to provide a revised Loan...
ArticlesSpecial Alert: CFPB Finalizes Points-and-Fees Cure and Other Mortgage Rule Amendments
Last week, the CFPB finalized an important amendment to its ATR/QM Rule that provides a mechanism for curing points-and-fees overages on qualified mortgage (“QM”) loans, as well as more minor amendments to its mortgage origination and servicing rules. The new rules, which were proposed in April,...
ArticlesSpecial Alert: Proposed Amendments to the TRID Rule and Introducing Buckley's TRID Resource Center
Buckley is pleased to announce our new TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure (“TRID”) Resource Center . The TRID Resource Center is a one-stop shop for TRID issues, providing access to Buckley's analysis of the TRID rule and the CFPB’s amendments, transcripts of CFPB webinars providing guidance on the...
ArticlesConsumer Financial Services Answer Book 2015
Buckley Sandler lawyers played a prominent role in the publication of this leading desk reference on consumer financial services, published by the Practising Law Institute. The 2015 edition of this publication continues to provide practitioners with a core understanding of the laws governing...
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: CFPB Issues Guidance on Supervision and Enforcement of Mini-Correspondent Lenders
This afternoon, the CFPB issued policy guidance on supervision and enforcement considerations relevant to mortgage brokers transitioning to mini-correspondent lenders. The CFPB states that it “has become aware of increased mortgage industry interest in the transition of mortgage brokers from their...
ArticlesSpecial Alert: CFPB Guidance States That Successors Are Not Subject to the ATR/QM Rule
On July 8, 2014, the CFPB issued an interpretive rule stating that the addition of a successor as an obligor on a mortgage does not trigger the Ability-to-Repay/Qualified Mortgage Rule (“ATR/QM Rule”) requirements if the successor previously received an interest in the property securing the...
ArticlesSpecial Alert: VA Adopts Its QM Rule
On May 9, 2014, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued an interim final rule defining what constitutes a “qualified mortgage” (QM) for purposes of the loans it guarantees, insures, or originates. The VA stated that, to quell persistent uncertainty among lenders regarding the treatment of VA...
ArticlesSpecial Alert: CFPB Proposes Amendments to Mortgage Rules
On April 30, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB or Bureau) proposed targeted amendments to the Dodd-Frank Act mortgage rules that took effect in January 2014. Comments are due 30 days after publication of the proposal in the Federal Register. Ability-to-Repay/Qualified Mortgage Points...
ArticlesLook Before You LEAP - This Year's FHA Annual Recertification Process
It’s that time of year again. No, not spring break; the Federal Housing Administration’s ("FHA") annual recertification deadline is upon us (or, more specifically, FHA program participants). The good news is that, this year, mortgagees with a December 31st fiscal year end will have some extra time...
ArticlesSpecial Alert: HUD Adopts Its Own QM Rule
On December 11, 2013, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) issued a final rule defining what constitutes a “qualified mortgage” (“QM”) for purposes of loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”). With limited clarifications and adjustments, the rule tracks the...
ArticlesCFPB Finalizes Rule Combining TILA and RESPA Mortgage Disclosures
UPDATED OCTOBER 15, 2014: Updated to reflect amendments proposed by the CFPB on October 10, 2014. On November 20, 2013, the CFPB finalized its long-awaited rule combining the mortgage disclosures consumers receive under the Truth in Lending Act (“TILA”) and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act...
ArticlesSpecial Alert: HUD Proposes Its Own QM Rule
On September 27, HUD released a proposal defining what constitutes a “qualified mortgage” (QM) for purposes of loans insured by the FHA. We have prepared a Special Alert regarding this proposal, which, once it is finalized and takes effect, will replace the temporary QM definition for FHA loans...
ArticlesSpecial Alert: CFPB Finalizes Additional Amendments to the 2013 Mortgage Rules
On September 13, the CFPB finalized another set of amendments to its January 2013 mortgage rules. Whereas previous amendments focused largely on the ability-to-repay/qualified mortgage rule, these amendments – originally proposed in late June 2013 – principally address several important questions...
ArticlesSpecial Alert: CFPB Finalizes Additional Amendments to ATR/QM Rule; Agencies Propose Appraisal Rule Amendments
On July 10, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“Bureau”) finalized important amendments (the “Amendments”) to its ability-to-repay / qualified mortgage rule (the “QM / ATR Rule”) that are intended to ease certain compliance challenges with making qualified mortgages (“QMs”). In response to...
ArticlesThe New Qualified Mortgage (QM) Requirements Negatively Affect Affiliate Settlement Service Providers
After considering a proposed rule and numerous comments, on January 10, 2013, the CFPB issued its long-awaited Ability-to-Repay rule (Rule). Generally, the Rule sets forth strict underwriting standards that require a lender to obtain and verify information to support a consumer’s ability-to-repay...
Articles
Awards and Recognitions
Awards & Recognitions
- Chambers USA 2022: Band 3, Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance)
- Legal 500 2022: Recognized in the Financial Services Regulation and the Fintech practice areas
- Chambers USA 2021: Band 3, Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance)
- Legal 500 2021: Recognized in the Financial Services Regulation and the Fintech practice areas
- Chambers USA 2020: Band 3, Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance)
- Legal 500 2020: Recognized in the Fintech practice area
- Chambers USA 2019: Band 3, Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance)
- Chambers USA 2018: Band 3, Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance)
- Chambers USA 2017: Band 2, Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance)
- Chambers USA 2016: Band 2, Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance)
- Chambers USA 2015: Band 2, Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance)
- Chambers USA 2013-2014: Band 3, Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance)
- Chambers USA 2010-2012: Up and Coming, Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance)
Practice Areas
- Auto Finance
- Broker-Dealers & Investment Advisers
- Consumer Finance
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Examinations
- Fair Lending and Fair Servicing
- False Claims Act & FIRREA
- Fintech
- Formation, Charter & Structure
- Licensing
- Mortgages
- Private Banking
- Private Equity & Venture Capital
- Vendor Management
Education
- J.D., George Washington University, 2002
- LL.M., University College London, 2003
- B.A., University of California, San Diego, 1999 (cum laude)
Admissions
- California
- District of Columbia