
A recognized dean of the consumer finance bar.Chambers USA
Jeremiah S. Buckley
Partner
Biography
Described by Chambers USA as "a recognized dean of the consumer finance bar," Jerry Buckley is a founder of Buckley LLP, a leading national financial services law firm, and is recognized as a thought leader in the field of financial services regulation.
Early in his career, Mr. Buckley served as Minority Staff Director of the United States Senate Banking Committee, and he played an important role in drafting many of the laws that impact the consumer financial services industry today. Since entering private practice, he has guided clients in developing compliance programs, dealing with regulatory and enforcement challenges, and helping shape public policy.
Throughout his career, he has focused on promoting enhanced delivery of financial services. He was a leader in advocating the passage of the federal ESign Act, which authorized use of electronic records in financial services and other transactions. He served as counsel to the Drafting Committee for Standards and Procedures for Electronic Records and Signatures (SPeRS) and also helped to found the Electronic Signatures and Records Association (ESRA).
He has also taken a lead in promoting national data protection standards. His American Banker article, “Congress needs to hurry up on data protection” lays out the case for national standards as an alternative to a patchwork of state privacy laws. He serves as advisor to the Financial Services Trade Associations Data Protection Working Group, an informal alliance of national financial trade associations responding to fast changing legislative and regulatory developments related to privacy and data security. He is also an advisor to the Association for Data and Cyber Governance (ADCG) and the Alliance for Innovation in Regulation (AIR).
Mr. Buckley’s clients include banks, mortgage companies, credit card issuers, insurance companies, broker dealers, fintech companies, investment banks, and private equity investors. He provides strategic counsel and advice on business formations and acquisitions, licensing and chartering, risk management, and enforcement matters involving federal and state regulators.
He has defended companies that are targets of inquiries or enforcement actions by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Reserve, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Congressional Committees, and state attorneys general.
Mr. Buckley has promoted a modernized approach to financial regulation (regtech). He led the firm’s effort to publish a widely read white paper on “Financial regulators’ dilemma: Administrative and regulatory hurdles to innovation.” The paper is based on interviews with senior financial agency regulators, and lays out legal and administrative stumbling blocks identified by regulators themselves impeding regtech advances. Mr. Buckley has also advocated development of “dynamic disclosures” to offer more useful information to consumers than is provided under the often cumbersome and voluminous static disclosures currently provided.
An article he wrote in the American Banker in 2016, “The compliance officer bill of rights,” focused attention on the growing risks faced by compliance officers. This led to a symposium on “Rights and responsibilities of today’s chief compliance officers — Their evolving role,” which was chaired by Mr. Buckley and sponsored by American University Washington College of Law. Chief compliance officers from the nation’s leading companies participated in this seminal discussion about how to define and make safe the job of a chief compliance officer.
Mr. Buckley has acted as counsel for a number of national financial services trade associations on matters before regulatory agencies and Congress, and in filing amicus briefs related to the interpretation of banking and consumer finance laws in cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and appellate courts.
He co-authored of The Law of Electronic Records and Signatures (West Publishing Company) as well as Introduction to Mortgage Banking (American Bankers Association). He is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Law at American University’s Washington College of Law. In 2007, he founded a national financial services consulting company known as Treliant Risk Advisors.
He is listed in Best Lawyers in America, and in 2015 he received the Senator William Proxmire Lifetime Achievement Award from the American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers.
Mr. Buckley received his J.D. from the University of Virginia Law School, and his A.B. from Fairfield University.
A recognized dean of the consumer finance bar.Chambers USA
In The News
Jeremiah S. Buckley and Sasha Leonhardt discuss "Financial regulators’ dilemma: Regulatory modernization" during a Barefoot Innovation Group podcast
This podcast from the Barefoot Innovation Group features an interview with Jeremiah S. Buckley and Sasha Leonhardt on a major challenge facing financial regulators: Regulatory modernization. Click here to listen to the podcast .
In The NewsJeremiah S. Buckley quoted in American Banker article, “5 policy hurdles thwarting federal regulators’ fintech ambitions”
Jeremiah S. Buckley was quoted in an American Banker article, “5 policy hurdles thwarting federal regulators’ fintech ambitions,” which discussed a recent report developed by Buckley on behalf of the Alliance for Innovative Regulation on the top five legal obstacles for regulators to modernize...
In The NewsBuckley Sandler and its founding profiled in Law360
The firm was profiled in a Law360 article, "Too small to fail?" which discussed the creation of Buckley Sandler and its success over the past decade. Click here to read the full article . Originally published in Law360; reprinted with permission.
In The NewsBuckley 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...
AnnouncementsAndrew L. Sandler and Jeremiah S. Buckley Mentioned in Wall Street Journal Article, “The Internal Divide Behind Trump’s Takeover of Consumer Watchdog”
On December 21, 2017, the Wall Street Journal article, “The Internal Divide Behind Trump’s Takeover of Consumer Watchdog,” which discussed candidates that were considered to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, noted that Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin “also considered Keith Noreika,...
In The NewsBuckley Sandler Recognized by Chambers USA as an “Exceptional” Financial Services Regulation and White Collar Firm
Buckley Sandler has continued to receive top recognition in the areas of 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 in-depth client interviews and peer...
In The NewsBest Lawyers in America Recognizes 11 Buckley Sandler Partners for 2018
Buckley Sandler is pleased to announce that 11 of its partners have been recognized by their peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® 2018.
Partners Jeremiah S. Buckley,...
AnnouncementsThe Legal 500 2017 Recognizes Four Practice Areas and 20 Attorneys at Buckley Sandler
Buckley Sandler has again been cited as one of the nation’s top law firms by The Legal 500 in its 2017 rankings, with the recognition of four practice areas:
- Financial Services: Litigation
- Financial Services: Regulatory
- Cyber Law (Data Protection and ...
Best Lawyers in America Recognizes Eight Buckley Sandler Partners in 2017 List
BuckleySandler is pleased to announce that eight of its partners have been recognized by their peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® 2017 in nine categories, and Jeremiah Buckley has been named a Lawyer of the Year in Litigation - Banking and Finance for Washington, DC. Partners Andrew L...
Press ReleasesLegal 500 Recognizes Four Practice Areas and 14 Attorneys at Buckley Sandler in 2016 Rankings
Buckley Sandler LLP has again been noted as one of the nation’s top law firms, with recognition of four practice areas by The Legal 500 in its 2016 rankings: Financial Services: Litigation Financial Services: Regulatory Technology: Data Protection and Privacy White-Collar Criminal Defense In...
In The NewsBuckley Sandler Noted As "One of the Most Significant Consumer Finance and Banking Enforcement Firms in the US Market" By Chambers USA
Buckley Sandler has continued to receive top recognition in financial services regulation and white collar crime/government investigations from Chambers USA , which ranks leading firms and lawyers in a range of practice areas throughout the US based on in-depth client and peer research. The firm...
In The News23 Buckley Sandler Attorneys Named To 2016 Washington, DC Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process is multi-phased and includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations. We are proud...
In The News
Publications
"Put bank exam council in charge of data privacy" by Jeremiah S. Buckley (American Banker)
From the European Union to California and now other states and countries, data protection and privacy standards going into effect often share the same objectives, but have separate and different regulatory requirements. This creates a confusing array of legal requirements that pose compliance and...
Articles"Financial regulators’ dilemma: Administrative and regulatory hurdles to innovation" by Jeremiah S. Buckley and Sasha Leonhardt (George Washington University Law School: Business & Finance Law Review)
Developments in financial technology hold great promise to enhance the quality, delivery, and reach of consumer financial services. However, many of the laws dictating the operations of financial regulators are more than 50 years old, and in drafting these laws Congress understandably did not...
Articles"Congress needs to hurry up on data protection" by Jeremiah S. Buckley (American Banker)
Data is the lifeblood of the burgeoning digital economy. The debate about its use — and its protection — is now playing out globally. As big data, artificial intelligence and machine learning increasingly shape everyday lives, Congress will have some important policy choices to make, weighing how...
ArticlesJeremiah S. Buckley Authored an American Banker Article, "Secretary Mnuchin's Challenge: Rethink Consumer Finance"
Our nation's consumer finance laws, enacted nearly 50 years ago, are outdated. Reams of disclosures go unread and billions are spent by banks to comply with hypertechnical regulations. Perhaps more worrisome, the silent premise underlying many of these laws is that the key to assuring consumer...
ArticlesSpecial 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 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 (...
ArticlesThe Law of Electronic Signatures and Records, 2016 Edition
The Law of Electronic Signatures and Records is an essential guide to electronic signatures and records laws, including the context in which the laws were adopted and the ways in which the authors believe the drafters intended them to be interpreted. Buckley Sandler attorneys John Kromer and Jerry...
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 “...
ArticlesThe Compliance Officer Bill of Rights
Jeremiah Buckley authored "The Compliance Officer Bill of Rights," which was published Monday, February 22, 2016 in American Banker . Regulators and prosecutors are under increasing pressure to bring charges not only against companies, but also against individual corporate officers. Compliance...
Articles
Awards and Recognitions
Awards & Recognitions
- Best Lawyers 2021: Banking and Finance Law, Financial Services Regulation Law, Litigation - Banking and Finance
- Best Lawyers 2020: Banking and Finance Law, Financial Services Regulation Law, Litigation - Banking and Finance
- Super Lawyers 2020: Banking, Consumer Law, Administrative Law
- Best Lawyers 2019: Banking and Finance Law, Financial Services Regulation Law, Litigation - Banking and Finance
- Super Lawyers 2019: Banking, Consumer Law, Administrative Law
- Chambers USA 2018: Senior Statesman, Consumer Finance (Compliance)
- Best Lawyers 2018: Banking and Finance Law, Financial Services Regulation Law, Litigation - Banking and Finance
- Super Lawyers 2018: Banking, Consumer Law, Administrative Law
- Legal 500 2017: Recognized in the Financial Services: Regulatory practice area
- Chambers USA 2017: Senior Statesman, Consumer Finance (Compliance)
- Best Lawyers 2017: Lawyer of the Year (D.C. Litigation - Banking and Finance), Banking and Finance Law, Financial Services Regulation Law, Litigation - Banking and Finance
- Super Lawyers 2017: Banking, Consumer Law, Administrative Law
- Legal 500 2016: Recognized in the Finance - Financial Services: Regulatory practice area
- Chambers USA 2016: Senior Statesman, Consumer Finance (Compliance)
- Super Lawyers 2016: Banking, Consumer Law, Administrative Law
- 2015 Cornerstone Award, Electronic Signatures & Records Association
- Chambers USA 2015: Senior Statesman, Consumer Finance (Compliance)
- American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers 2015 Senator William Proxmire Lifetime Achievement Award
- Legal 500 2015: Recognized in the Finance - Financial Services: Regulatory practice area
- Super Lawyers 2015: Banking, Consumer Law, Administrative Law
- Best Lawyers 2015: Banking and Finance Law, Financial Services Regulation Law, Litigation - Banking and Finance
- Chambers USA 2014: Senior Statesman, Consumer Finance (Compliance)
- Legal 500 2014: Recognized in the Finance - Financial Services: Regulatory practice area
- Super Lawyers 2014: Banking, Consumer Law, Administrative Law
- Best Lawyers 2014: Banking and Finance Law, Financial Services Regulation Law, Litigation - Banking and Finance
- Chambers USA 2013: Senior Statesman, Consumer Finance (Compliance)
- Super Lawyers 2013: Banking, Consumer Law, Administrative Law
- Best Lawyers 2013: Banking and Finance Law
- Chambers USA 2012: Band 1, Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance)
- Chambers USA 2010 and 2011: Band 2, Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance)
- Chambers USA 2009: Band 2, Financial Services Regulation
- D.C.'s Top Financial Services Lawyers list, Washingtonian magazine 2009
- Who's Who in American Law
- Who's Who in the World
- Director at Large of the Exchequer Club of Washington, D.C.
Practice Areas
- Bank Counseling & Compliance
- Congressional Investigations
- Consumer Finance
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Enforcement Actions & Investigations
- Examinations
- Fintech
- Formation, Charter & Structure
- Licensing
- Mortgages
- Privacy, Cyber Risk & Data Security
- State Attorneys General
- Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts or Practices
Education
- J.D., University of Virginia, 1969
- A.B., Fairfield University, 1966
Admissions
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Government Service
- Republican Staff Director of the U.S. Senate Banking Committee