Keith R. Fisher, a lawyer known for his bank regulatory experience, has joined Ballard Spahr in the firm’s Washington, D.C., office, firm Chair Arthur Makadon announced today. Mr. Fisher’s practice will focus on financial regulatory work, mergers and acquisitions, and appellate work, especially Supreme Court practice. His arrival also augments Ballard Spahr’s nationally recognized Consumer Financial Services Group.
Mr. Fisher previously practiced at Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo PC and at Hogan & Hartson, and more recently worked as a consultant advising on a variety of business, ethics, and regulatory projects, including federal banking law compliance. He has taught law school courses in banking law, payment systems, anti-money laundering, international banking and finance, and legal ethics.
“Keith is a terrific addition to the firm and his experience will be particularly valuable to our banking clients who require counsel on regulatory issues,” said Brian D. Doerner, Chairman of Ballard Spahr’s Business and Finance Department. “There has been a notable increase in the amount of regulatory work over the past few years and it shows no sign of slowing. Having Keith here will help us meet those increased needs.”
Mr. Fisher has substantial experience in U.S. Supreme Court practice arising from his work with former colleagues E. Barrett Prettyman, Jr., and (now Chief Justice) John Roberts. He was the principal author of the American Bar Association’s two amicus briefs in Caperton v. A.T. Massey Coal Co., Inc. (2009). He also served as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Maryland in order to represent the Maryland Commissioner of Financial Regulation in filing an amicus brief in Watters v. Wachovia Bank (2007).
“Ballard Spahr is well known nationally for its work with banks and it is a leader in guiding them through the intricacies of the Dodd-Frank Act,” Mr. Fisher said. “I look forward to joining this talented team and helping them grow their financial regulatory practice.”
Mr. Fisher has written approximately 20 law journal articles and book chapters, as well as a treatise on “Mergers and Acquisitions of Banks and Savings Institutions,” published by Little Brown & Co. He has held a number of positions in the American Bar Association, including leadership in the Banking Law Committee, service as the chief reporter for the Commission on Ethics 20/20, and reporter for the Judicial Disqualification Project under the aegis of the Standing Committee on Judicial Independence. Mr. Fisher is a charter member of the American Inns of Court Foundation and is a frequent speaker on programs both in the United States and abroad.