Overview
Ryan Harris is an associate in the Consumer Financial Services group at Paul Hastings, and is based in the firm's Washington, D.C. office. He works with banks, non-bank financial institutions, and other companies offering financial services and products. Ryan has defended companies and individuals in government investigations, enforcement actions, and complex commercial litigation, including individual and class actions. Ryan also advises clients on compliance with consumer protection laws.
Ryan has counseled clients in the financial services industry on a variety of subjects including the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), the False Claims Act (FCA), Fair Housing Act (FHA), FHA and VA mortgage programs, RESPA, FCRA, TILA, consumer protection statutes, and information privacy laws. He has resolved matters initiated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of Justice (DOJ), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and State regulators.
Education
- University of Virginia School of Law, J.D., 2019
- James Madison University, B.S., 2016
Representations
Mr. Harris's representations, many of which are nonpublic, have included:
- Counseled corporations through CFPB and FTC investigations relating to various business operations, including digital and ACH payments, mortgage origination and servicing, sale of insurance products, and digital consumer marketplaces, among others.
- Defended mortgage lenders in response to government investigations brought by the DOJ and HUD.
- Defended banks and individual in Fair Lending investigations, including those pursued by HUD and a state regulator.
- Advised financial institution on the creation and implementation of Special Purpose Credit Programs (“SPCP").
- Successfully resolved consumer TCPA allegations for mortgage lenders.
- Successfully defended mortgage originators in qui tam actions brought under the False Claims Act involving the FHA's Direct Endorsement Loan Program and the VA's Single Family Homeownership Program.
- Successfully defended financial institutions in putative class actions alleging claims resulting from overdraft charges for both debit and ACH transactions.
- Advised mortgage lender in a putative class action asserting RESPA, RICO, and Sherman Act claims involving allegations of kickback scheme.
- Counseled mortgage lender in putative class action alleging improper collection of property inspection fees.
Engagement & Publications
- Published by Wolters Kluwer in Bank & Financial Services Policy Report (2021) and Journal of Internet Law (2022). Topics included the TCPA, and cybersecurity and privacy initiatives.
Involvement
- Member, Conference on Consumer Finance Law