Joseph J. Schuster is a partner in Ballard Spahr’s Consumer Financial Services Group and co-leader of the firm’s Fintech and Payment Solutions Team. He advises banks, Fintech companies, and other financial services businesses on the development, regulation, and operation of innovative financial products, including earned wage access, consumer credit, payments, bank-Fintech partnerships, and emerging financial technologies.
Joseph has extensive experience advising on the legal and regulatory treatment of earned wage access products, including product structuring, federal and state regulatory requirements, compliance, and regulatory risk. He regularly speaks and writes on developments affecting the financial services industry.
Before rejoining Ballard Spahr, Joseph served as Managing Director and Senior Counsel at Goldman Sachs. He is a member of the American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers and has testified before Congress on issues affecting financial institutions and consumers.
Representative Experience
Representative Matters
- Advised on the creation of a nationwide credit card program as well as a 50-state consumer lending program
- Drafted consumer credit agreements including credit card agreements, charge card agreements, installment loan agreements, and retail installment contracts
- Conducted compliance assessment of client processes to assist in preparing for examinations and investigations by state and federal regulators
Professional Highlights
Professional Activities
Chair, Electronic Financial Services and Digital Currency Subcommittee of the American Bar Association Committee on Consumer Financial Services
American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers
Governing Committee, Conference on Consumer Finance Law
Recognition & Accomplishments
Legal 500, Finance - Financial Services Regulation: Consumer finance, "Next Gen. Partner," 2025, 2026
Speaking Engagements
“Exploring the Rules Regulations Related to Money Movement in Electronic Transactions,” American Bar Association, Consumer Financial Services Committee Winter Meeting 2023
“The Digital Intersection of Consumer and Small Business Lending,” American Bar Association, Consumer Financial Services Committee Winter Meeting 2023
“Checkboxes, Hyperlinks, and CTAs - An Update on the State of Electronic Contracting,” American Bar Association, Consumer Financial Services Committee Winter Meeting 2022
Board Memberships & Community Service
LAMBDA Legal
Publications
“Driving to One-Click: The New Point of Sale”; Business Law Today, American Bar Association, November 2020
Co-author, Chapter Nine, “Billing Error Resolution”; The Law of Truth in Lending, American Bar Association, 2014
Joseph regularly contributes to the Consumer Finance Monitor blog
Credentials
Education
Marquette University Law School (J.D., cum laude, 2012)
Member, Elder's Adviser Law Review; Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinic; Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
Marquette University (B.A., cum laude, 2010)
Recipient, Student Leadership award for Outstanding Contributions to Student Governance and Organizational Leadership
Languages
Proficient in Spanish
Admissions
Colorado
Wisconsin