John R. Coleman
Partner
Biography
John R. Coleman is a partner in Buckley LLP’s Washington, D.C. office. He represents banks, nonbank financial institutions, corporations, and individuals in supervisory and enforcement matters initiated by government regulators, as well as in private civil litigation and internal investigations. He also counsels clients on compliance with consumer protection laws and supervision preparedness.
Mr. Coleman joined the firm after 15 years of federal government service as a litigator and adviser to senior policymakers, most recently as Deputy General Counsel for Litigation and Oversight at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. He joined the CFPB soon after its creation in 2010 and was one of a core group of attorneys tasked with interpreting the authorities granted to the agency by the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010, and establishing the procedures by which the agency exercises those authorities. Mr. Coleman was the first person to appear in court on behalf of the CFPB, and was involved in every significant litigation matter in the agency’s history prior to his departure. As Deputy General Counsel, he managed the team of attorneys responsible for representing the Bureau in litigation, including appellate matters, and before congressional oversight bodies.
He served every director or acting director in the CFPB's history during his tenure at the CFPB, advising them and senior officials in the Division of Supervision, Enforcement, and Fair Lending on a range of complex legal and policy matters, including those arising in the course of examinations, investigations, and enforcement actions. He also advised the Director and senior officials in the Division of Research, Markets, and Regulations with respect to rulemakings, and represented the agency in all rulemaking challenges.
Prior to joining the CFPB, Mr. Coleman was a trial attorney in the Federal Programs Branch of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division, representing federal agencies and officials in high-profile civil litigation, including cases brought under the U.S. Constitution, the Administrative Procedure Act, and federal antidiscrimination laws.
Mr. Coleman received his J.D. from the University of Virginia, where he was a member of the managing board of the Virginia Law Review, and his B.A. from Dartmouth College. Following law school, he served as a law clerk for the Honorable T.S. Ellis III, of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
In The News
John R. Coleman quoted in S&P Global article, “CFPB moves full steam ahead with bank oversight despite intensifying headwinds”
The S&P Global article, “CFPB moves full steam ahead with bank oversight despite intensifying headwinds,” discusses the bureau’s ongoing approach to bank regulation and compliance in 2023 despite scrutiny of its funding structure. Major areas of focus for the CFPB this year will be overdraft...
In The NewsJohn R. Coleman quoted in S&P Global article, “CFPB guidance, enforcement hang in the balance of US Supreme Court appeal”
The S&P Global article, “CFPB guidance, enforcement hang in the balance of US Supreme Court appeal,” explores the possible ramifications for the bureau if the Supreme Court agrees to hear the CFPB’s appeal of the Fifth Circuit’s ruling that the agency’s funding was unconstitutional. Some have...
In The NewsJohn R. Coleman quoted in S&P Global article, “CFPB targeting largest US banks as it cracks down on financial industry”
The S&P Global article, “CFPB targeting largest US banks as it cracks down on financial industry,” discusses the bureau’s recent focus on the nation’s largest banks, resulting in a string of investigations and millions of dollars in penalties. Analysts believe the CFPB’s main objective with...
In The NewsJohn R. Coleman quoted extensively in American Banker article, “Why the CFPB’s guidance on unfair practices will keep giving banks trouble”
The American Banker article, “Why the CFPB’s guidance on unfair practices will keep giving banks trouble,” examined the controversy surrounding bank fees. President Biden and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau are seeking to expand federal prohibitions on unfair, deceptive, and abusive acts...
In The NewsJohn R. Coleman quoted in WSJ article, “Appeals court ruling casts shadow over CFPB activities”
The WSJ article, “Appeals court ruling casts shadow over CFPB activities,” discusses the Fifth Circuit’s decision in CFSA v. CFPB that found the bureau’s funding structure to be unconstitutional. The ruling could upend an array of current regulations and invite challenges to new rules from the...
In The NewsJohn R. Coleman quoted in S&P Global article, “Lawsuit against bank watchdog signals increasing pushback against the agency”
The S&P Global article, “Lawsuit against bank watchdog signals increasing pushback against the agency,” discusses the suit brought by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and six trade groups against the CFPB, driven by the bureau’s increased regulatory crack down. In March, the bureau expanded its...
In The NewsJohn R. Coleman quoted in S&P Global article, “Consumer agency using 'every tool' to step up scrutiny of financial institutions”
The S&P Global article, “Consumer agency using 'every tool' to step up scrutiny of financial institutions,” examines the CFPB’s “any means necessary approach” to crack down on financial institutions and advance the bureau’s key priorities under Director Rohit Chopra. A broad range of measures...
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...
AnnouncementsJohn R. Coleman quoted in S&P Global article, “CFPB issues 'call to arms' to states to enforce agency rules more broadly”
The S&P Global article, “CFPB issues 'call to arms' to states to enforce agency rules more broadly,” explores the bureau’s new interpretive rule that emphasizes the authorization states have to enforce the federal Consumer Financial Protection Act on a broader range of entities. The new...
In The NewsJohn R. Coleman quoted in S&P Global article, “CFPB could disclose decisions to examine nonbanks for risky activities”
The S&P Global article, “CFPB could disclose decisions to examine nonbanks for risky activities,” reported on the how the bureau is considering publicly sharing information on nonbanks that may pose risks to consumers in a new proposed procedural rule under the dormant authority of the Dodd-...
In The NewsJohn R. Coleman profiled in Reuters article, “CFPB vet joins Buckley in D.C.”
The Reuters article, “CFPB vet joins Buckley in D.C.” covered the arrival of Buckley’s newest partner, former CFPB Deputy General Counsel John Coleman. He said he aims to represent clients looking to “stay out of the crosshairs of the CFPB” and companies that are responding to civil investor...
In The NewsJohn Coleman, former CFPB Deputy General Counsel, joins Buckley
WASHINGTON, DC (Sept. 9, 2021) – Buckley LLP, a national law firm focused on financial services, white collar defense, and complex civil litigation, announced that John R. Coleman , former Deputy General Counsel of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, has joined the firm as a partner. Coleman...
Press ReleasesJohn R. Coleman profiled in The National Law Journal article, “Buckley taps Consumer Financial Protection Bureau deputy general counsel”
John Coleman was profiled in The National Law Journal article, “Buckley taps Consumer Financial Protection Bureau deputy general counsel,” which covered his move from the CFPB to join Buckley. He noted, “Here at Buckley, I am now part of a team of people who bring world-class expertise and...
In The NewsJohn R. Coleman profiled in Law360 article, “Former senior CFPB official joins Buckley in DC”
In the Law360 article, “Former senior CFPB official joins Buckley in DC,” new Buckley Partner and former CFPB Deputy General Counsel John Coleman noted a couple themes that “jump out” regarding Acting CFPB Director Rohit Chopra. “One is that he's aggressive. Two is he's concerned with what I'd call...
In The News
Publications
"U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit finds Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s funding unconstitutional. Now what?" by John R. Coleman, Marshall T. Bell, and Jeffrey P. Naimon (JFAA)
A panel of three Fifth Circuit judges has unanimously held that the CFPB funding structure created by Congress violated the Appropriations Clause of the Constitution, which provides that “no money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law.” The panel ruled...
Articles"How to navigate a CFPB administrative proceeding" by John R. Coleman (The Review of Banking & Financial Services)
After a slow start, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB” or “Bureau”) Director Rohit Chopra’s enforcement program appears to be gaining steam. The CFPB has aggressively enforced federal consumer financial law during its short history, with an average of more than 30 public enforcement...
Articles"CFPB revises UDAAP manual to include discriminatory practices" by Sasha Leonhardt, Jeffrey P. Naimon, and John R. Coleman (The Banking Law Journal)
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) has announced significant revisions to its Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts or Practices (“UDAAP”) exam manual, in particular highlighting the CFPB’s view that its broad authority under UDAAP allows it to address discriminatory conduct in the...
Articles"Saber-rattling or fair warning: CFPB Director Rohit Chopra signals intent to bring enforcement actions against executives and employees of large banks" by John R. Coleman (ABA Banking Law Committee Journal)
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has never brought a claim against an executive, officer, or managerial employee of a large bank alleging that the individual participated in unlawful conduct. Over a quarter of the CFPB’s more than 300 public enforcement actions to date have included...
Articles"Incorporating safeguards for CFPB info request targets" by John R. Coleman (Law360)
The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced recently that it ordered several large technology companies to submit detailed information concerning their payment products, including how they collect, use and share data about consumers who use their products. The information demand is...
Articles"Chopra confirmed as CFPB director: What to expect" by John R. Coleman
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau under the leadership of Rohit Chopra appears poised to pursue an aggressive enforcement posture and test the limits of its authority in pursuit of broad market change. But the headline-grabbing enforcement actions expected under Chopra, whom the Senate...
Buckley Commentary & Analysis
Awards and Recognitions
Awards & Recognitions
- Legal 500 2022: Corporate Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense
Practice Areas
- Appellate
- Complex Civil Litigation
- Congressional Investigations
- Consumer Finance
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Enforcement Actions & Investigations
- Examinations
- Fair Lending and Fair Servicing
- Federal Trade Commission
- Internal Investigations
- State Attorneys General
- Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts or Practices
Education
- J.D., University of Virginia, 2005 (Order of the Coif)
- B.A., Dartmouth College, 1998
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Virginia
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
Government Service
- Deputy General Counsel for Litigation and Oversight, Legal Division, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Assistant General Counsel for Litigation, Legal Division, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Senior Litigation Counsel, Legal Division, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Trial Attorney, United States Department of Justice, Civil Division
- Law Clerk, Hon, T.S. Ellis III, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia