Brian R. Witt

Senior Counsel


Renowned Regulatory & Compliance Attorney

Brian has a specialized practice representing regional and national financial service providers on regulatory and compliance issues. His industry focus has been banking and finance since he began his legal career in 1982, so Brian has a deep understanding of his clients' business needs and objectives.
 
He represents credit unions, financial service companies, and banks on regulatory and operational issues; regional and national financial service providers and mortgage and finance companies on operational, compliance, and licensing issues; and financial service organizations and providers on formation issues, securities, insurance, and financial service delivery matters. Brian works closely with national and state regulators on mergers, expansions and examination matters.
 
Brian is a recognized national expert in the design and delivery of traditional and innovative financial products and services, including internet delivery of financial services. He has developed a comprehensive compliance management financial solution, Compliance Smart, to assist with organizing the workflow for regulatory compliance.
 
He regularly tracks the impact of legislation and court decisions on financial service providers and sends timely and concise updates through e-alerts and newsletters. In addition the firm develops comprehensive programs necessary to ensure compliance of current developments in the financial services industry.


Little Known Facts:  Licensed to practice law in Oregon, Washington, and Arizona | Has a degree in finance and wanted a practice that combined finance and law | Grew up in Montana | Enjoys anything in the great outdoors including hunting and fly fishing  

Honors

Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated

Selected by his peers for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America® 2016 - 2024 for Financial Services Regulation Law See more News See more Articles Print Bio

Representative Matters

Brian counsels clients, is a frequent speaker on, and has published extensive compliance materials in the following areas:
  • Credit Union Compliance Management
  • Credit CARD Act Compliance
  • CUSO Formation and Operation
  • Credit Union Mergers
  • Vendor Management and Contract Reviews
  • Corporate Governance and Responsibility
  • Executive Compensation Agreements
  • Information Security Program
  • Security Response Guidelines
  • Online Delivery of Financial Services
  • Advertising Compliance
  • Consumer, Home Equity, and Business Lending
  • CFPB Regulations

Speaking Engagements

Brian presents a semi-annual Legal Update on behalf of the GoWest Credit Union Association (fka Northwest Credit Union Association), and provides insights on a national level regarding current legal issues affecting credit unions.

Education

Willamette University College of Law (J.D. 1982)
Montana State University (B.A. Finance, 1979)

Admissions

Oregon State Bar
Washington State Bar
Arizona State Bar

Associations

Credit Union Committee and an active member of the Consumer Finance and Cyberspace Law - Electronic Transactions Committees of the Business Section of the American Bar Association

News & Events

THIRTEEN FWW ATTORNEYS RECOGNIZED AS BEST LAWYERS® 2024

8/17/2023

FWW is proud to announce that thirteen of our attorneys have been named as Best Lawyers® 2024 in twelve practice areas. READ MORE

FWW Compliance and Risk Alert: Overdraft NSF Risk Management

10/31/2022

In the past month, the CFPB has taken several actions that will increase pressure on credit unions to adjust practices and disclosures related to fees for NSF items, overdrafts, and (most recently) returned deposited items. READ MORE

Four FWW Attorneys Presenting at the GoWest Credit Union Association MAXX Convention

10/26/2022

Four FWW attorneys, Brian Witt, Hal Scoggins, Kelley Hodney and Mark Robey will lead a discussion on critical legal and regulatory developments affecting credit unions at the GoWest Credit Union Association MAXX Convention. READ MORE

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