An enviable reputation for his consumer finance regulatory compliance practice...one of the go-to guys in this space.Chambers USA
Joseph M. Kolar
Partner
Biography
Joe Kolar is a founding Partner of Buckley LLP, resident in the Washington, D.C., office. Mr. Kolar regularly counsels financial institutions, financial services companies, mortgage lenders and servicers, mortgage insurers, national trade associations, nonprofits, and others in complying with mortgage and consumer loan contracts and lending and servicing regulations, including those relating to real estate settlement procedures (RESPA), truth in lending (TILA), ability to repay, loan originator compensation, appraisals, equal credit opportunity (ECOA)/fair housing/fair lending/fair servicing, privacy, fair credit reporting (FCRA), electronic signatures and records (ESRA), escrows, flood insurance, lender-placed insurance, debt collection, loss mitigation and foreclosures, federal preemption, community reinvestment (CRA), disclosures, state law and regulations, and licensing.
In addition to closely monitoring the regulatory and enforcement activity of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Mr. Kolar advises on Federal Housing Administration-insured and Department of Veterans Affairs-guaranteed single-family loan programs, Ginnie Mae guaranteed securities programs, and the programs and policies of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as they relate to loan origination, servicing, and secondary market transactions. In addition, Mr. Kolar frequently represents mortgage lenders and others in negotiating joint ventures, marketing and internet origination agreements and vendor agreements, as well as other contracts used or needed by a wide variety of financial services companies.
Mr. Kolar is a member of the Consumer Financial Services Committee of the American Bar Association, where he is a past Co-chair of the Housing Finance and RESPA Subcommittee, and a member of the American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers. Prior to practicing law, Mr. Kolar worked as a staff member for former U.S. Representative Jim Leach (R-IA).
Mr. Kolar currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Legal Counsel for the Elderly, which is associated with AARP, and of Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington, and is President of the Kolar Charitable Foundation of Buckley.
Mr. Kolar received a J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center in 1985 (cum laude), where he was an Associate Editor of The Tax Lawyer, and a B.B.A. from the University of Iowa in 1982.
An enviable reputation for his consumer finance regulatory compliance practice...one of the go-to guys in this space.Chambers USA
In The News
Legal 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....
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 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...
AnnouncementsBuckley 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,...
AnnouncementsBuckley Sandler Issues Second Edition of CFPB Mortgage Origination Rules Deskbook
Buckley Sandler today announced the publication of the second edition of the CFPB Mortgage Origination Rules Deskbook. Produced in partnership with the American Bankers Association, the book is the definitive guide for bank and nonbank mortgage originators navigating the Consumer...
AnnouncementsBest 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 Releases
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: 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...
Articles
Awards and Recognitions
Awards & Recognitions
- Chambers USA 2021, Band 2, Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance)
- Legal 500 2021: Financial services – Regulation
- Best Lawyers 2021: Banking and Finance Law, Financial Services Regulation Law
- Chambers USA 2020, Band 2, Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance)
- Legal 500 2020: Financial services – Regulation
- Best Lawyers 2020: Banking and Finance Law, Financial Services Regulation Law
- Chambers USA 2019, Band 2, Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance)
- Best Lawyers 2019: Banking and Finance Law, Financial Services Regulation Law
- Chambers USA 2018, Band 2, Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance)
- Best Lawyers 2018: Banking and Finance Law
- Chambers USA 2010-2017, Band 1, Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance)
- Best Lawyers 2017: Banking and Finance Law
- Best Lawyers 2015: Banking and Finance Law
- Chambers USA 2008 and 2009, Band 1, Consumer Financial Services Regulation
Education
- J.D., Georgetown University, 1985 (cum laude)
- B.B.A., University of Iowa, 1982
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- Virginia (Associate Membership)
Government Service
- Staff Member for former U.S. Representative Jim Leach (R-IA)