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Morrison Foerster Highlighted as a Leading Firm by Chambers FinTech 2026

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Morrison Foerster has earned six practice area rankings and five individual recognitions in the 2026 edition of Chambers FinTech,...

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Morrison Foerster has earned six practice area rankings and five individual recognitions in the 2026 edition of Chambers FinTech, a comprehensive guide to the leading fintech professionals around the globe.The firm received the following practice area recognitions:<ul><li>USA: FinTech Legal: Crypto-Asset Disputes</li><li>USA: FinTech Legal</li><li>USA: FinTech Legal: Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies</li><li>USA: FinTech Legal: Corporate, Securities & Financing</li><li>USA: FinTech Legal: Data Protection & Cyber Security</li><li>USA: FinTech Legal: Payments & Lending</li></ul>Jeff Silberman, co-lead of the Fintech industry group, and partner Evan Minsberg have both been individually ranked in FinTech Legal: Payments & Lending. Haimavathi Marlier, also co-lead of the Fintech industry group, was recognized in the Crypto-Asset Disputes category, partner Nathan Taylor was highlighted for FinTech Legal: Data Protection & Cyber Security, and partner Dan Jones was ranked for FinTech Legal: Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies.Morrison Foerster’s multidisciplinary fintech team helps established, emerging, and startup Fintech companies, banks, investors, merchants, and other market participants as they navigate the creation, offering, or investment in Fintech products and services. Our advice is informed by decades of experience in innovative product counseling, strategic partnerships, financial regulation, privacy and data security, technology, mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, corporate finance, intellectual property, litigation, and enforcement, as well as our deep understanding of how industry-specific practices and regulations affect the implementation of technology-enabled solutions.We have long been recognized for combining premier transactional capabilities with product design, in-depth regulatory insight, and enforcement capabilities across multiple geographies. Our unique understanding of the digital transformation in the fintech market positions us to help our clients succeed in a fast-moving, highly competitive market for technology-driven financial services. As our clients best put it, “Morrison Foerster stands out for its rare combination of deep subject matter expertise, commercial practicality, and consistently strong execution."You can read more about our Chambers rankings on the publication’s <a href="https://chambers.com/law-firm/morrison-foerster-fintech-49:7854" target="_blank">website</a>.

Morrison Foerster Highlighted as a Leading Firm by Chambers FinTech 2026

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Jeff Silberman is chair of the firm’s Financial Services Group and co-lead of our Fintech practice, where he provides business-oriented and strategic advice to fintech companies and financial institutions.​​​Jeff’s focus includes bank/fintech partnerships, online and app-based financial services, digital assets and blockchain based payment systems, marketplace business models, and capital markets matters. He has extensive experience negotiating commercial and strategic relationships in highly regulated markets and is known for advising financial institutions and high-growth companies on the various legal, regulatory, and operational complexities associated with financial infrastructure, digital-first financial products, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and licensing arrangements, and the adoption and scale of online, app, and cloud-based business models.Jeff regularly acts as external general counsel advising early and growth stage startups, as well as incumbent fintech companies and financial institutions, on all areas affecting their organizations. He works closely with senior management and boards of directors to provide practical legal and business advice.Jeff has over two decades of legal experience in the fintech, financial services, and capital markets space, including nine years as in-house and general counsel at prominent fintech and financial services companies. Prior to joining Morrison Foerster, he served as global co-chair of the fintech practice at another leading international firm.<h4>Representative Experience</h4>Fintech<ul><li>Represent an international B2B e-commerce marketplace in transactional and regulatory matters related to integrated financial products and payment services.</li><li>Represented a public fintech company in its initial and additional bank sponsorships, including negotiation of program management, processor, network, and other third-party agreements and arrangements.</li><li>Represent a global cryptocurrency exchange in the creation and support of domestic and cross-border payment products.</li><li>Represent a U.S. challenger bank in the creation of its platform, including a sponsor bank, processing, card network, and other third-party service provider agreements.</li><li>Represented an app-based investment adviser in its formation and registration of an RIA and commercial relationships with executing broker-dealers and other supporting service providers.</li><li>Represented a fintech platform on its mobile solar loan application, loan origination, and forward flow facility.</li><li>Represented a leading fintech platform in the negotiation and execution of master service agreements integrating its technology with marketplace lenders and online small business lenders.</li><li>Represent various blockchain-based service providers, DAOs, and cryptocurrency exchanges in product creation and associated digital asset regulatory considerations.</li><li>Represented a SaaS platform in the creation and negotiation of master service agreements for broker-dealer, asset manager, and insurance company integrations.</li><li>Advised a digital asset advisory boutique in its regulatory matters.</li><li>Counseled an income share agreement platform in various forward flow purchase agreements.</li><li>Represented a point-of-sale finance platform offering consumer loans, deposit accounts, and debit cards in its sponsor bank relationship, processor, and related third-party service provider agreements.</li></ul><ul><li>Represented a cloud-based voice trading and data collection platform in strategic partnerships and integrations with a global investment bank and other broker-dealer integrations.</li><li>Negotiated strategic partnerships, joint ventures and service agreements on behalf of a leading Lending-as-a-Service fintech platform.</li><li>Counseled a digital point of sale finance platform in the creation of forward flow relationships for the sale of consumer loans.</li><li>Represented a leading fintech lending platform in the creation of forward flow facilities for consumer loans.﻿</li></ul>Financial Institutions<ul><li>Advised several U.S. banks on their core systems and various technology integrations to support direct and sponsored business units.</li></ul><ul><li>Represented a top U.S. bank in the structuring of its online wealth management platform, and related fintech integrations.</li><li>Represented several sponsor banks entering the Banking-as-a-Service space, including creation of program documentation, issuer processor arrangements, and other key third-party service provider arrangements.</li><li>Advised a growth stage venture capital fund in its Series C investment in a fintech platform focused on mortgage loan origination.</li><li>Counseled a U.S. bank evaluating digital lending business models, and the due diligence and creation of vendor relationships with fintech service providers.</li><li>Advised multiple credit unions in the origination and sale of digitally originated whole loans and loan participations.</li><li>Represent a broker-dealer in the expansion of its platform to enable online transactions.</li><li>Advised a growth stage venture capital fund in its Series B investment in a fintech platform offering AI solutions to reduce losses in auto, mortgage, and retail lending.</li><li>Represent a broker-dealer establishing its Capital Acquisition Broker registration.</li><li>Represented a New York based broker-dealer in fintech and trading system licensing matters.</li><li>Counseled a regional bank in the creation of its digital lending platform, including creation of related disclosure documents, loan agreements, and internal operating procedures.</li><li>Provided general counsel in corporate and strategic matters, to NY based broker dealer including establishment of new business lines, FINRA continuing membership applications, technology and other vendor licensing and service agreements, and general employment matters.</li></ul>

Jeff Silberman

Chair of Financial Services Group

Haima Marlier is a partner in Morrison Foerster’s Investigations + White Collar Defense Group and co-chairs both its Fintech and Securities Enforcement practices. Drawing on her experience as a former Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) senior trial counsel, Haima represents public and private companies, financial services providers, and executives, directors, and other individuals in SEC, Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), state securities regulator, and internal investigations, as well as in related litigation. She has more than 20 years of experience litigating in federal, state, and administrative courts, leading complex negotiations, and representing her clients in mediation. She also counsels clients regarding securities enforcement developments, trends, and risk mitigation.Before joining the firm, Haima spent nearly a decade in the SEC’s Division of Enforcement. While at the SEC, Haima served as lead counsel on a number of prominent enforcement litigations and investigations involving public companies, registered investment advisers, broker-dealers, banks, and individuals in matters arising under the federal securities laws. She has also worked closely with foreign securities regulators, numerous U.S. attorneys’ offices, and FINRA.Haima is a member of Law360’s Securities Editorial Board, serves on the advisory board of Securities Docket, and is on the Board of Trustees of the SEC Historical Society. She mentors Penn State students of color who aspire to become lawyers and is a member of the board of directors of, and a volunteer running coach for, Girls on the Run New Jersey, a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring girls to recognize their inner physical and emotional strengths. She maintains an active pro bono practice.Haima has been recognized by Chambers USA for Securities Regulation: Enforcement and Crypto-Asset Disputes; Crain’s New York Business’s Notable Women in Law and Notable Diverse Leaders in Law; The Legal 500 US as a recommended lawyer in Securities Litigation: Defense, Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense, and Fintech; Securities Docket’s Enforcement Elite; and the New York Law Journal for her efforts in the diversity and inclusion space.Haima received her J.D. from Boston College Law School and her B.A. from The Pennsylvania State University.<h4>Representative Experience</h4><h5>Cybersecurity</h5><ul><li>Successfully resolved an SEC investigation into a global technology solutions company’s cybersecurity risk disclosures and disclosure controls, policies, and procedures, with an acknowledgment by the SEC of the client’s significant remediation and cooperation.</li><li>Representing a global tech service management company in an SEC inquiry into its cybersecurity incidents and disclosures.</li><li>Represented numerous public companies and other clients in the SEC’s SolarWinds cybersecurity enforcement sweep.</li><li>Advising numerous public companies and SEC-registered firms on the efficacy of their cybersecurity disclosure controls and procedures and the materiality of cybersecurity incidents.</li><li>Represented a major technology company in an internal investigation into its cybersecurity statements and controls, policies, and procedures.</li></ul><h5>Fintech & Crypto</h5><ul><li>Represented a nonprofit foundation supporting a major blockchain, as well as two of its senior individuals, in an SEC investigation, with a complete termination letter issued by the SEC.</li><li>Successfully resolved an SEC crypto investigation into anti-money laundering and other compliance and monitoring programs on behalf a former senior bank executive.</li><li>Representing a leading cryptocurrency exchange platform in responding to SEC, CFTC, and state attorney general subpoenas and other requests for information.</li><li>Obtained a successful federal court settlement for a venture capital fund in a securities class action concerning an unregistered digital token offering.</li><li>Advising numerous Fintech companies, from startups to mature organizations, on securities enforcement compliance best practices and enforcement risk mitigation.</li><li>Represented a private investor in an SEC investigation related to a reverse merger involving a cryptocurrency company with no action taken by the SEC.</li></ul><h5>Artificial Intelligence</h5><ul><li>Representing a major tech company in an SEC investigation focused on AI-related disclosures and policies.</li></ul><h5>Accounting & Financial Reporting</h5><ul><li>Represented the former Chief Operations Officer of a major NASDAQ-listed food distributor in SEC and special committee investigations, with a complete termination letter issued by the SEC, as well as in related Delaware Court of Chancery litigation, which was favorably resolved.</li><li>Successfully resolved SEC and special committee investigations into related-party transaction disclosures and accounting issues, as well as related shareholder litigation, on behalf of a former CEO of a NASDAQ-listed company.</li><li>Represented an audit committee of a public company in an internal investigation resulting from a whistleblower complaint alleging accounting and disclosure issues.</li><li>Represented a leading public company in an internal investigation resulting from a whistleblower complaint alleging accounting and disclosure issues.</li></ul><h5>Other Securities Enforcement Matters</h5><ul><li>Represented the former CEO of a major company listed on the New York Stock Exchange in an SEC insider trading investigation with no action taken by the SEC.</li><li>Represented an individual in an SEC investigation concerning the “pay-to-play” rule.</li><li>Represented a private investment fund in a COVID-19 related SEC insider trading investigation with no action taken by the SEC.</li><li>Represented a broker-dealer in a for-cause FINRA examination into anti-money laundering and other issues.</li><li>Represented a leading international company in government investigation into pharmaceutical drug pricing.</li><li>Represented a biotech company in a Massachusetts Securities Division investigation concerning securities registration exemptions and representations to investors regarding securities registration with no action taken by the state regulator.</li><li>Obtained a successful resolution for a pre-IPO biotech company in a wrongful termination lawsuit brought by a co-founder and former CEO terminated by the board of directors.</li><li>Represented the SEC in all stages of federal and administrative proceedings, including at trial and on appeal, in matters involving violations of the federal securities laws.</li></ul>

Haimavathi Marlier

Partner

Recognized as an authority on financial privacy issues, Nathan helps financial institutions and other companies develop practical solutions for complying with privacy and data security laws. In particular, Nathan tackles the most complex issues relating to the privacy and security of financial information.Co-author of the leading financial privacy treatise, The Law of Financial Privacy, Nathan is recognized in the industry for his exceptional legal work, including being named as an Up and Coming Nationwide Privacy & Data Security practitioner on Chambers USA’s 2018, 2019, and 2020 lists. In his many accolades, his clients praise him as “a tremendous lawyer” who is “smart and quick on his feet,” with a “strong depth of knowledge and experience.” Nathan is also known as “a go-to guy for a deeper dive on bank privacy issues, the Fair Credit Reporting Act and other matters. When he gives you a memo, it is gold-plated – you know that you can rely upon it and that it will be thoughtful” (Chambers USA 2021). Nathan is ranked in Chambers USA and Chambers Global 2021, with clients noting his exceptional work in financial privacy law, proficiency at handling various governmental investigations, and his “deep well of knowledge, which he delivers in a well-organised, thoughtful and extremely helpful manner."As state privacy law appears to be entering a new era with the adoption of the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”), Nathan is assisting many banks, insurance companies, broker dealers, and other financial institutions in making sense of the complex law and the challenges presented by significant, but often confusing, new privacy obligations. Given the breadth of his work on CCPA issues, Nathan provides clients with valuable benchmarking across the financial industry.Nathan also continues to help companies across industries develop solutions to comply with the myriad state data breach and data security laws that have been enacted since 2003. Understanding the complexities that businesses face in complying with these laws, Nathan testified before Congress on the <a href="https://financialservices.house.gov/uploadedfiles/02.14.2018_nathan_taylor_testimony.pdf" target="_blank">challenges</a> that the ever-growing patchwork of state laws present. These are complexities that he understands intimately, having advised companies on hundreds of significant data incidents, including many of the nation’s largest and highest-profile data breaches.Nathan also has defended companies in Congressional and state AG investigations regarding data, cyber, and privacy. He represented Target in its defense of a multistate AG investigation into the company’s 2013 data breach, resulting in a settlement with 47 states and the District of Columbia, at the time the largest-ever multistate settlement for a data security incident.Nathan contributes to the development of the firm’s <a href="/privacy-library/">Privacy Library</a> and MoFoNotes subscription database, which help companies keep apprised of data, cyber, and privacy compliance requirements in jurisdictions around the world.

Nathan Taylor

Evan Minsberg advises Fintech, payments, and technology companies, as well as financial institutions, on structuring and launching regulated financial products and commercial ecosystems.His practice is centered on bank-Fintech partnerships, payments infrastructure, money movement, and the regulatory frameworks that underpin innovative financial services ecosystems. He is a go-to advisor on banking-as-a-service (BaaS), money transmission and licensing, sponsor bank and payment network arrangements, and complex commercial relationships between regulated financial institutions and technology platforms. He is among a small number of practitioners with deep knowledge at the intersection of financial services regulation, payment network governance, and digital asset and stablecoin-enabled transactions—areas that increasingly define the architecture of next-generation financial products and payment systems. His work combines regulatory strategy with commercial execution, enabling clients to launch new products, structure partnerships, modernize payments infrastructure, and scale regulated platforms.Evan represents a diverse client base spanning high-growth Fintech and embedded finance companies, leading sponsor banks, global payments companies, card networks, and major technology platforms. Clients rely on him to navigate complex regulatory and commercial issues across banking, payments, and emerging financial technologies, particularly in connection with large-scale partnership and payments infrastructure initiatives. Recognized by Chambers USA for FinTech Legal: Payments and Lending and by other leading industry publications, Evan is praised by clients for his practical, solutions-oriented approach and ability to navigate novel regulatory challenges. One client notes that he is “able to come up with novel solutions that minimize risk and unlock significant opportunities for our business.”Evan also advises gaming, software, and digital platform companies on monetization strategies, virtual economies, digital wallets, creator and marketplace payment flows, and other financial regulatory issues arising from interactive and digital commerce ecosystems. He is co-chair of Morrison Foerster’s Interactive + Digital Media industry group, where he focuses on video games, gaming platforms, and the convergence of digital economies, payments infrastructure, and financial services regulation.Prior to joining MoFo, Evan worked in the financial services teams of two other leading law firms.<h4>Representative Experience</h4><h5>Bank-Fintech Partnerships and Embedded Finance</h5><ul><li>Represent a technology-focused national bank in the structuring, negotiation, and launch of BaaS, debit card, and payments partnerships with leading Fintech platforms. Advise on novel deposit account structures, ACH origination and third-party sender arrangements, program management frameworks, and related regulatory and transactional issues associated with the bank’s public launch and rapid growth.</li><li>Represent a major regional bank in a broad range of BaaS and embedded finance matters, including Fintech program management agreements, sponsor processing arrangements, third-party risk management enhancements, AML and sanctions compliance, and regulatory diligence across payments, payroll, ACH, digital asset, and money movement platforms.</li><li>Advise a leading sponsor bank on the structuring and negotiation of Fintech-sponsored payment and credit programs, including innovative SBA lending, commercial finance, digital asset-secured credit products, and large-scale embedded finance partnerships.</li><li>Represent a leading global payments and card issuing platform on BaaS, AML, card-issuing, sponsor bank, and embedded lending matters, including bank partnership agreements, downstream Fintech oversight, and lending and card program structures.</li><li>Represent a Fintech infrastructure company in the structuring and negotiation of sponsor bank arrangements for lending and payment processing products, including loan origination and purchase programs, payment services frameworks and use of sponsored (FBO) accounts, customer-facing agreements, and related warehouse financing support.</li></ul><h5>Payments, Money Movement, and Network Infrastructure</h5><ul><li>Represent a leading U.S. payment card network in the comprehensive modernization and restructuring of its network operating rules and participant framework, including new sponsorship, payment facilitator, program manager, and digital wallet concepts, as well as related interchange, routing, and network governance issues.</li><li>Represent a global payments company in the regulatory and money transmission aspects of a significant Fintech acquisition transaction, including state licensing approvals, change-of-control strategy, regulatory diligence, and management of concurrent state supervisory examinations.</li><li>Serve as regulatory and transactional counsel to a global payments and financial technology company on money transmission licensing, payment processing arrangements, card network compliance, and complex commercial agreements across a broad range of payment and software products.</li><li>Advise a merchant acquiring and marketplace platform on the development of digital asset payment and on-/off-ramp services, including fiat and stablecoin payout functionality, self-custodied wallet features, and integration of first- and third-party technology solutions, with guidance on money transmission, payments, AML, and product structuring considerations.</li></ul><h5>Digital Assets, Stablecoins, and Emerging Financial Products</h5><ul><li>Represent Fintech and infrastructure companies developing digital asset, decentralized finance, and open banking products, including advice on AML, sanctions, money transmission, and securities law considerations associated with decentralized payment and on-/off-ramp protocols.</li><li>Advise a leading stablecoin issuer and digital asset platform on money transmission, AML, product structuring, and regulatory compliance considerations relating to next-generation stablecoin infrastructure and payment products, including cross-chain transfer protocols, wallet and custody architecture, agentic wallet functionality, embedded payments infrastructure, and stablecoin-secured card programs.</li><li>Advise a Fintech platform on the structuring and regulatory compliance of digital asset on-ramp and off-ramp payment services, including fiat FBO account arrangements, third-party custody relationships, funds-flow architecture, and related money transmission, AML, and bank partnership considerations.</li></ul><h5>Digital Media, Gaming, and Virtual Economies</h5><ul><li>Serve as primary outside regulatory counsel to a global gaming and interactive entertainment company on financial regulatory issues arising from virtual currencies, in-game monetization, creator revenue-sharing, integrated payments, and cross-border digital commerce models.</li><li>Advise a leading software development and digital distribution platform on financial regulatory issues relating to marketplace payments, stored value and virtual currency functionality, rewards and loyalty programs, wallet architecture, and the application of money transmission and related financial services laws to platform monetization and user payment flows.</li><li>Advise a merchant-of-record and digital commerce platform on card network compliance, creator payout structures, marketplace and payment terms, and regulatory considerations relating to payments and monetization flows for video game and digital content creators.</li></ul>

Evan Minsberg

With a strong focus on the fintech sector, Dan Jones advises some of the world's leading financial services firms on all aspects of their UK and European regulatory obligations. Dan has experience across the full spectrum and life cycle of financial services firms: from perimeter guidance, assistance in obtaining a regulatory license, interpretation of applicable regulations and implementation guidance through to M&A regulatory due diligence and transaction support. His clients include global retail and investment banks, asset managers, e-money issuers and payments services providers, crypto-asset issuers, wallets and exchanges. Dan's notable work includes advice to the UK Open Banking implementation body, the development of a digital only retail bank for a U.S. headquartered global bank and preparing the regulatory license application for a leading global payment services provider. Prior to MoFo, Dan spent more than a decade working in both global US and UK law firms, advising leading fintech's on regulatory issues across the UK, Europe and the Middle East. <h4>Representative Experience </h4><ul><li>A payments services provider on regulatory requirements, including licensing and change of control. </li><li>A global social media platform on regulatory compliance. </li><li>A crypto and NFT exchange and wallet in its application for FCA registration and ongoing compliance. </li><li>An app-based consumer lending business in all aspects of its UK establishment including regulatory perimeter guidance and coordination of employment, tax and fundraising advice. </li><li>A SaaS banking platform provider on the application of regulation to its UK and Middle Eastern businesses.</li></ul>

Dan Jones

Fintech