Overview
Michael Morrill is of counsel in the Consumer Financial Services and White Collar & Investigations practices at Paul Hastings. He represents financial institutions and financial services companies in complex commercial litigation, government enforcement matters, regulatory examinations and internal investigations.
Michael has litigated consumer class actions nationwide under the Truth in Lending Act, Electronic Fund Transfer Act, Military Lending Act and unfair and deceptive trade practices statutes, including high-profile matters that have shaped regulatory and legal precedent. He routinely defends banks, fintech companies and other providers of financial products and services in investigations and enforcement actions brought by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and attorneys general.
He serves as trusted counsel to senior executives in complex DOJ and congressional investigations, guiding strategy and managing parallel proceedings. He also leads sensitive internal investigations and advises clients on designing and strengthening compliance programs to manage regulatory, operational, and reputational risk.
Before joining Paul Hastings, Michael practiced at both a major international law firm and a respected midsize firm. He also clerked for the Honorable Danny Boggs of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Michael earned his J.D., with honors, from the University of Chicago Law School, where he was a member of The University of Chicago Law Review, and his B.A., with highest honors and highest distinction, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Education
- University of Chicago Law School, J.D. (cum laude), 2014
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (highest honors and highest distinction), 2010
Representations
Litigation
- Mortgage lender in a putative nationwide class action regarding rate locks; case dismissed on summary judgment.
- Financial technology company in putative nationwide class actions alleging violations of the Truth in Lending Act and Military Lending Act.
- Financial technology company in a putative nationwide class action concerning lease-to-own transactions.
- National bank in a declaratory judgment action against the CFPB challenging regulatory overreach; related enforcement action dismissed.
Regulatory and Enforcement
- Financial technology company in CFPB investigation and litigation relating to fraud and scam prevention on a digital marketplace; case dismissed.
- Large bank in a CFPB investigation of deposit practices; CFPB declined to take enforcement action following full review.
- National bank in a CFPB investigation regarding compliance with the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, Regulation E and prohibitions under the Consumer Financial Protection Act.
- Financial technology company in connection with a congressional investigation on fraud and scam prevention.
- Digital media company in an FTC investigation and internal audit of digital advertising practices.