News Release
Chambers USA 2025 Honors McGlinchey’s Financial Institutions Compliance Practice, 4 of its Attorneys
Read Time: 4 minsMcGlinchey is pleased to announce that four members (partners) in its Financial Institutions Compliance practice are among the 49 attorneys ranked nationally in the Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance) category of the 2025 edition of the Chambers USA Guide.
The practice group itself also sustained its nationwide ranking as one of only 18 firms ranked in the category. This marks the twelfth year this practice has been ranked – making it one of only five ranked for 12 years.
Of the 18 ranked firms in this area, including some of the nation’s largest law firms, McGlinchey is one of only three firms with four or more attorneys ranked. McGlinchey’s team represents 8% of the 49 attorneys ranked in this area.
McGlinchey’s clients shared the following comments in support of the practice’s ranking:
- “The team’s subject matter experts provide guidance demonstrating a nuanced understanding of the complex and evolving FinTech regulatory landscape.”
- “The firm has strong knowledge of state level regulations and efficient processes to get the right answers.”
- “The firm is impressively thorough and detailed on federal and state law issues.”
Chambers’ independent analysis, based on their research, notes that:
“McGlinchey Stafford offers advice on federal and state regulations in the consumer finance space, including those pertaining to online lending and credit card programs. Also assists institutions with CFPB readiness and preparation, and both individual and class action consumer suits. Further expertise in handling supervisory examinations, investigations and enforcement actions by regulatory bodies. Particularly noted for its provision of multistate compliance guidance and advice”.
The four attorneys ranked in this area include:
Jeffrey Barringer, Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance) (Nationwide)
In his third year ranked, Jeff counsels clients regarding issues relevant to mortgage lending, mortgage servicing, manufactured housing finance, automobile finance, sales finance, secured and unsecured lending, commercial lending, real estate brokerage, and money services businesses. He serves on the industry advisory council for the American Association of Residential Mortgage Regulators, is a past board member of and current Counsel for the New York Mortgage Bankers Association, a member of the Board of Governors of the Financial Services Division of the Manufactured Housing Institute and vice chair of the Manufactured Housing Institute’s Finance Lawyers Committee. Resident in Albany, New York, where he serves as McGlinchey’s office managing member, Jeff graduated summa cum laude from Albany Law School.
According to a client, “Jeffrey is creative at working through problems and is capable of finding any answer.”
Mark Edelman, Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance) (Nationwide)
Mark, who chairs McGlinchey’s team of more than 50 financial services regulatory attorneys and licensing professionals, has held a Nationwide Chambers ranking since 2018. He has provided guidance to banks, finance companies, and online lenders throughout the United States for more than 30 years. He counsels clients on a full range of issues including consumer loan documentation, e-commerce, underwriting, licensing, state and federal regulatory examinations and investigations, acquisitions and divestitures, warehouse and other commercial financing, insurance, and structured finance. Widely respected in the industry, some of Mark’s leadership positions include Vice Chair of the American Bar Association’s Committee on Consumer Financial Services, fellow and past trustee of the American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers, member of the Conference on Consumer Finance Law’s Governing Committee, and a member of the Board of Directors of the NAF Association. He is a graduate of The Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law.
One client notes that “Mark is extremely knowledgeable, I value his opinion on all legal matters.”
Kelly Lipinski, Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance) (Nationwide)
Ranked for the third year, Kelly counsels a full range of financial institutions including depository institutions and their affiliates, sales finance companies, and lenders partnering with FinTech companies, and mortgage companies with a special focus on entities in the motor vehicle finance and private education lending industries. Among her active industry involvement, Kelly serves as Counsel to the Emerging Issues Subcommittee of the American Financial Services Association’s Law Committee, is a member of the Conference on Consumer Finance Law’s Governing Committee, is a Board Member of the National Council of Higher Education Resources, is the past chair of the Personal Property Finance Subcommittee of the American Bar Association’s Committee on Consumer Financial Services, past chair of the Consumer Credit Subcommittee of the Ohio State Bar Association’s Commercial & Bankruptcy Law Committee, and prior Board Member of the Ohio Mortgage Bankers Association. She is also managing member of McGlinchey’s Cleveland office and past chair of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity’s Fellows Alumni Leadership Symposium. Kelly earned a J.D. from Case Western Reserve University’s School of Law.
According to clients, “Kelly is an industry expert and we can leverage her knowledge on a diverse array of consumer finance issues.”
“Kelly continues to be an excellent and reliable resource for any consumer finance related matter I may encounter.”
“She has a very keen understanding for the business side of things.”
Robert Savoie, Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance) (Nationwide)
Robert, who leads McGlinchey’s national FinTech practice, helps financial technology companies (FinTechs) and other financial institutions attain and maintain regulatory compliance with the ever-changing laws and rules governing consumer financial services so they can avoid pitfalls and expand operations. Robert has held a Nationwide Chambers ranking since 2020. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame Law School.
According to client commentary, “Robert provides real world insights and provides a high level of sophistication when it comes to his legal analysis.”
“I have nothing but praise for Robert, he can easily break down complex issues to be digested by my business team.”
McGlinchey’s FinTech practice group and attorneys Aaron Kouhoupt and Robert Savoie are also ranked in the previously released 2025 Chambers FinTech Guide. Robert and the FinTech practice are in their sixth year of recognition. The team is one of only nine firms ranked in both the Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance) category of the 2025 Chambers USA Guide and in the FinTech: Legal category of the 2025 Chambers FinTech Guide.
Robert is also one of only six attorneys ranked in Band One, and one of only 31 attorneys total, in the nationwide FinTech: Payments and Lending category. Notably, Robert is one of only four attorneys nationwide to be ranked in both FinTech Payments and Lending and in Consumer Finance Compliance (Nationwide).
Considered the industry leader in research-based directories for the legal profession, Chambers USA conducts in-depth, objective interviews of thousands of lawyers and their clients around the world to compile its directories. The publication’s esteemed rankings are based on interviews with those active in the legal services marketplace, namely law firm clients and individual lawyers, as well as assessments of a law firm’s recent work on behalf of its clients. Rankings are determined by evaluating qualities clients most value in lawyers and law firms, including technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence, and commitment, among others. Learn more.