Will Deer Email & Phone Number

Nashville, Tn, Us

Dublin, Ohio, Us

Nashville, Tennessee, Us

Counsel to Tennessee based omni-channel consumer lender, with over 100 retail locations, call center and online lending in multiple states. Managed a team of 5, including the Director of Compliance. - Provide counsel to ensure compliance with multiple federal and state statutes, including GLBA, ECOA, FDCPA, FCRA, UDAAP, TILA and multiple other regulations - Work closely with the marketing and credit risk teams on new scoring methodologies, direct mail campaigns, lead generation and other revenue driving projects to ensure compliance - Lead the launch of two successful third-party and bank model programs to offer lending in additional markets including the negotiation of a complex BaaS agreement - Collaborate with multiple teams including development, IT, marketing and operations to implement necessary changes due to regulatory changes or a shift in the business directive - Implement a risk assessment and enhanced monitoring program for BSA/AML/OFAC/KYC to mitigate the heightened focus from various government agencies - Evaluate multiple vendors for debt collection, debt sales as well as collection attorneys across multiple states for recovery of past due accounts resulting in a significant increase in revenue - Manage litigation from nuisance claims to class action matters in multiple jurisdictions - Respond to audit inquiries from federal and state regulatory authorities in relation to lending, money transmission and other licensed activities by the company - Negotiate multiple complex vendor contracts to maximize profit and mitigate risk for the company, including SaaS and BaaS agreements

Contract consulting primarily in the consumer lending, factoring, agriculture, payment and gaming industries.

Cookeville, Tennessee, Us

Served as the Chief Legal and Compliance Officer for a consumer lender with 350 retail locations and 1000 employees across the southeastern United States offering short term loans including auto secured as well as prepaid debit cards and other ancillary products. - Performed an enterprise wide review and edit of all customer facing documents including loan agreements, disclosures, advertising, rate charts and other pertinent documents - Implemented and maintained a robust training program on federal compliance to over 1000 employees on such matters as the GLBA, ECOA, FDCPA, FCRA, UDAAP and TILA - Responded to complaints, audits and inquiries from state and federal regulators including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) - Led the launch of a company managed prepaid debit card program with a regional bank partner - Reviewed and approved all marketing and advertising material for the company to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations - Designed new products to enhance company profitability and provide hedges against regulatory uncertainty including an open-end line of credit product in Tennessee

Greenville, South Carolina, Us

Provided legal advice, risk management and government relations counseling to an international consumer finance company with over 400 retail locations, three call centers and 4500 employees; Brands included Speedy Cash, Rapid Cash, Avio Credit, Opt +, Wage Day Advance (UK) and Cash Money (Canada) - Created the legal metrics for the Internet lending group from inception in 2007 to active lending in 23 U.S. states, Canada and the United Kingdom - Developed new products including the financing of consumer electronics, prepaid debit cards as well as enhancing unsecured offerings to include installment lending and open-end credit - Managed litigation including selection of outside counsel, preparation of responses, drafting of pleadings and attending court hearings as needed - Reviewed, revised and drafted complex finance, information technology, insurance, marketing, construction, property and real estate lease, and general vendor contracts - Represented the company before administrative bodies in response to regulatory audits - Drafted company policies to adhere with laws and regulations which included document retention, human resources, collection practices and other procedures to be utilized by company personnel - Reviewed consumer complaints for legal exposure and counseled compliance department on proper response as well as proposed resolution - Prepared presentations for key executives to report to Board of Directors, investors, legislators and industry groups pertaining to political climate in industry, current and proposed legislation, conflict of state laws and federal regulatory provisions impacting revenue. - Communicated the company’s position on proposed changes in law or regulation to legislators, executive branch members, regulators, outside attorneys, lobbyists, members of the media, community groups and other third parties.

Doctor Of Law - Jd, Law

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Communication And Media Studies