Department profile
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance)
USA Guide 2026 : USA - Nationwide
Rankings
Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Work Highlights
Provided by Chambers
Covington & Burling LLP represented Early Warning Services in a lawsuit brought by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for allegedly failing to prevent and address fraud committed against users of Zelle.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
Every professional that I have worked with at Covington has been well-versed in their specialized areas.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance) respondentUSACovington brings creativity and intellectual heft to any complex matter, including an ability to handle litigation in a way that is aligned with business goals.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance) respondentUSACovington offers best-in-class representation when a matter is bet-your-company or bet-your-career.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance) respondentUSA
Notable Practitioners
Provided by Chambers
Band 1 
Band 1 D Jean Veta
Jean Veta is a leading name in the financial services field, noted for her expert counsel on bank-related examination, enforcement and compliance issues. Jean is a legend in the area.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance) respondentUSAShe is the leader in her field.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance) respondentUSAJean is well connected in the regulatory space, and highly regarded by both private sector and government.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance) respondentUSA
Band 1 
Band 1 Eric Mogilnicki
Eric Mogilnicki brings to bear two decades of experience in the financial services sector when representing clients. He is particularly noted for his expertise in CFPB matters.
Eric is extraordinarily well connected with government agencies and within the industry.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance) respondentUSA
Band 2 
Band 2 Andrew Smith
Andrew Smith regularly advises clients on major consumer financial issues. He is particularly noted for his expertise on FTC regulations and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Andrew is extraordinarily practical and solution-oriented in his advice.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance) respondentUSAAndrew has great historical awareness and strategic foresight in the areas of consumer financial services and privacy regulation.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance) respondentUSAAndrew's experience at the FTC is invaluable in understanding how to approach unfair trade practice issues.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance) respondentUSA
Band 2 
Band 2 Valerie Hletko
Valerie Hletko is an experienced litigator with a robust grounding in consumer protection laws. She is particularly noted for her expertise in fair lending matters.
Valarie is responsive, knowledgeable and incredibly practical.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance) respondentUSA
Band 3 
Band 3 Michael Nonaka
Washington-based Michael Nonaka is cochair of the firm’s fintech initiative. He has experience of advising banks and financial institutions on a range of issues, including regulatory licensing, anti-money laundering and FinTech matters.
Michael is responsive, responsible and always provides meaningful, useful counsel.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance) respondentUSAMichael is tremendous to work with.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance) respondentUSA
Band 3 
Band 3 Samantha Kirby
Samantha Kirby is recognized for her prowess as a transactional attorney, offering clients the benefit of extensive experience in M&A matters. Her expertise encompasses routine dealings with the FDIC and OCC and a wide range of state and federal regulators.
She is smart, responsive and practical. It is a pleasure to work with her.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance) respondentUSASamantha provides exceptional support and knowledge.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance) respondentUSA
Band 4 
Band 4 Andrew Soukup
Andrew Soukup is co-chair of the firm’s class action litigation practice group. He is recommended for defending clients in actions filed by putative class representatives, government agencies and state attorneys generals.
He does a nice job of understanding the big picture, the strategic vision of the individual case and how that fits into the broader business strategy of the client.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance) respondentUSAHe's really smart but down to earth.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance) respondentUSAThe combination of Andrew's experience in the class litigation space, his subject matter expertise and responsiveness stands out.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance) respondentUSA
Band 4 
Band 4 David Stein
David Stein of Covington & Burling leverages his past experiences at the CFPB and the FRB, in advising clients on consumer financial issues.
David's advice is always practical and actionable.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance) respondentUSADavid is responsive, has a deep understanding of the law in consumer financial services and understands the business side as well.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance) respondentUSA
Band 4 
Band 4 Nikhil Gore
Nikhil Gore, cochair of the firm's financial services investigations and government enforcement practice, focuses his practice on regulatory issues for financial institutions and global corporations. He is noted for his breadth of experience, which includes fair lending and FinTech.
Nikhil is level-headed, pragmatic and extremely responsive.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance) respondentUSANikhil superbly walks the right line between legal and practical advice in the tech space.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance) respondentUSANikhil's thorough understanding of the regulatory issues, and how best to navigate the interaction with regulators, is a great benefit to us.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance) respondentUSA
Band 4 
Band 4 Randy Benjenk
Randy Benjenk is cochair of Covington’s financial services group. He is well regarded for his regulatory practice, which sees him assisting a range of domestic and international banks with diverse compliance matters.
Randy is incredibly knowledgeable, efficient and responsive.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance) respondentUSARady is a key contributor to client strategy.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance) respondentUSARandy's level of subject matter expertise in our regulatory environment is a key differentiator.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance) respondentUSA
Up and Coming 
Up and Coming Charlotte May
Charlotte May is recognized for her strong practice representing financial services clients in the regulatory aspects of acquisitions.
She is thorough and thoughtful.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance) respondentUSACharlotte is practical, attentive and knowledgeable.
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance) respondentUSA
Ranked Individuals at Covington & Burling LLP (13)
USA - Nationwide
Michael Nonaka
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance)
View profile Randy Benjenk
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance)
View profile D Jean Veta
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Enforcement & Investigations)
View profile Nikhil Gore
Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Enforcement & Investigations)
View profile Andrew Smith
Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance)
View profile David Stein
Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance)
View profile D Jean Veta
Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Enforcement & Investigations)
View profile Eric Mogilnicki
Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Enforcement & Investigations)
View profile Valerie Hletko
Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Enforcement & Investigations)
View profile Valerie Hletko
Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Litigation)
View profile Andrew Soukup
Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Litigation)
View profile Samantha Kirby
Financial Services Regulation: Financial Institutions M&A
View profile Charlotte May
Financial Services Regulation: Financial Institutions M&A
View profile
What success is built on
Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.