SEPT. 14, 2022 – Fresh off the firm's recent combination with an elite, 40+ lawyer financial services boutique, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP has further expanded its capacity to serve financial services clients with the addition of Don Meier as a partner in Washington, D.C.
Meier comes to the firm from Mitchell Sandler LLC, where he advised clients on transactions positioning them to achieve their goals in the fintech, mortgage, banking, payments, and other consumer financial services industries.
"Strategic transactions are a core part of our practice and a big part of our clients' current focus," said Bradford Hardin, co-chair of the financial services team at Davis Wright. "We're delighted to have Don add to our capacity in this critical area. He has the skills, strategic sense, relationships, and experience necessary to help clients stay ahead in a rapidly transforming industry."
"Nearly all the largest banks, many large merchants, and many fintechs of all sizes rely on Davis Wright's expertise," said Meier. "The firm is nationally recognized for its regulatory compliance work. I'm excited to start building on that record of excellence and deepening the firm's capabilities. I also look forward to being able to make available to my clients the support that Davis Wright offers in adjacent practice areas critical to many deals, such as privacy and security, brand protection, employee benefits, tax, and real estate."
Meier has nearly two decades of transactional experience. For the past 13 of those years, he has focused on financial services industry clients. His practice includes M&A and securities transactions as well as critical vendor, bank partnership, and other third-party relationships, and the negotiation and drafting of related commercial agreements.
He has helped clients enter new lines of business and make new investments in emerging fintechs. He has also assisted with the structuring and launch of lending platforms as well as mortgage and other origination assistance programs and related services for both banks and nonbanks. He frequently advises clients on outsourcing arrangements, the purchase and sale of loans and loan-related assets, including servicing rights, and loan servicing and subservicing contracts.
"Don's expertise is superbly complementary with other members of our team," said Liz Davis, Davis Wright's financial services co-chair. "He's well-equipped to mentor and develop our junior talent as well."
In addition to Meier's skill with material strategic alliance, fintech, and M&A deals, his mortgage servicing expertise fits with Davis Wright's existing practice advising financial institutions on regulations governing the residential mortgage sector.
Meier began his career in the Philadelphia office of Dechert LLP, then relocated to D.C., where he joined Buckley Sandler LLP and served, most recently, as a partner at Mitchell Sandler.
"Davis Wright is a very compelling platform on which to launch the next chapter of my career," said Meier. "The firm is well known for helping mid-career lawyers accelerate their practices, and I've seen that very clearly with other members of the financial services team."
About Davis Wright Tremaine
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is an AmLaw 100 law firm with approximately 600 lawyers representing clients based throughout the United States and around the world. Visit www.dwt.com to learn more about our firm and how we serve the financial services industry.