Overview
Mehul Madia, special counsel in the firm's Washington, D.C. office, provides deep consumer finance and fintech expertise to clients, leveraging more than 15 years’ of public and private sector experience.
Areas of Practice
Mehul counsels many of the nation’s banks and non-bank financial institutions, lenders, and fintech companies on sensitive regulatory, enforcement, and litigation matters. As a former senior attorney at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), he has extensive experience representing clients before federal and state government agencies. Mehul has substantial experience representing clients in government enforcement actions, internal investigations and class actions, as well as in regulatory compliance matters where he has guided clients through supervisory examinations. His practice focuses on helping clients successfully align their business strategies within the complex framework of federal and state regulatory requirements.
Mehul has an active enforcement and regulatory practice having represented companies and executives before a host of government agencies including the CFPB, the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Federal Reserve Board (FRB), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), state attorneys general as well as state regulators such as New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI), and the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation. He has counseled clients on matters involving unfair, deceptive or abusive acts or practices, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), the Electronic Funds Transfer Act (EFTA), the Card Act, the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), as well as various state consumer protection laws.
From 2020-2022, Mehul served as a senior legal advisor to the Associate Director in the CFPB’s Supervision, Enforcement & Fair Lending office (SEFL). In that role, he advised the SEFL Associate Director as well as the CFPB Director on all enforcement and supervisory matters the Bureau undertook. He also advised on various legal and policy matters relating to student loan origination and servicing, mortgage servicing, auto finance, electronic and remittance transfers, debt collection, and short-term/small dollar lender.
Before joining Sheppard Mullin, Mehul spent several years in private practice, including at a national financial services law firm where he advised consumer financial services clients on enforcement, litigation and regulatory matters, and also served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney at the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
After graduating law school, Mehul served as a law clerk for the Honorable Rhesa H. Barksdale for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He is an active member of the South Asian Bar and National Asian Pacific American Bar associations and is a fellow of the Leadership Council for Legal Diversity.
Honors
Honors
- Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2015 and 2016
Insights
Articles
- Co-Author, "What Creditors and Medical Service Providers Need to Know about D.C.’s Amended Debt Collection Law," insideARM, November 17, 2022
- Co-Author, "Individual and Coordinated Prosecutors Accelerate - Along With The Challenges," American Bar Association Criminal Justice Magazine, Vol. 30(2), Summer 2015
Consumer Finance and Fintech Blog Posts
- "CFPB Study Finds Differential Treatment in the Small Business Lending Market," November 15, 2024
- "CFPB Hits Telecom Giant with Fines for Alleged Exploitation of Incarcerated Consumers," November 15, 2024
- "CFPB Imposes $95 Million Fine on Large Credit Union for Overdraft Fee Practices," November 8, 2024
- "CFPB Reaches Settlement in Redlining Suit Against Nonbank Mortgage Lender," November 8, 2024
- "FTC Takes Aim at Mobile Banking App for Deceptive Advertising Practices," November 8, 2024
- "Debt Collectors Push Back: Trade Group Sues CFPB Over New Medical Debt Collection Rules," November 8, 2024
- "Fintech Industry Trade Associations Respond to Federal Regulators’ Joint RFI on Bank-Fintech Partnerships," November 1, 2024
- "CFPB Penalizes Major Credit Union for Mishandled Online Banking Program Rollout," November 1, 2024
- "D.C. Attorney General Settles with Title Insurance Company for Alleged Kickback Scheme," November 1, 2024
- "California DFPI Rolls Out Registration Requirements for Debt Settlement, EWA, and Student Loan Relief Providers," November 1, 2024
- "CFPB Finalizes Personal Financial Data Rights Rule," October 25, 2024
- "Trade Group Challenges CFPB’s Buy Now Pay Later Rule," October 25, 2024
- "CFPB Warns Employers Regarding FCRA Rules for AI-Driven Worker Surveillance," October 25, 2024
- "Massachusetts AG Reaches Settlement with Loan Servicer Over Improper Debt Collection Practices," October 18, 2024
- "CFPB and DOJ Target Mortgage Lender for Alleged Discriminatory Redlining Practices," October 18, 2024
- "OCC Issues Guidance on Refinance Risk in Commercial Lending," October 18, 2024
- "CFPB Supervisory Highlights Target Auto Finance Missteps," October 11, 2024
- "CFPB Permanently Bans Arbitration Company from Arbitrating Consumer Financial Disputes," October 11, 2024
- "California Passes Law Extending new Protections to Mortgage Borrowers," October 11, 2024
- "California Enacts Law Prohibiting State Banks and Credit Unions from Charging NSF Fees," October 4, 2024
- "DFPI Cracks Down on Illegal Student Loan Debt Relief Practices," October 4, 2024
- "Credit Repair Company Fined $50M for Misleading Consumers," October 4, 2024
- "CFPB Issues Guidelines for Medical Debt Collection," October 4, 2024
- "California Expands Debt Collection Protections for Small Businesses and Consumers," September 27, 2024
- "CFPB Report Highlights Student Loan Struggles Facing Servicemembers," September 27, 2024
- "CFPB Revises Disclosure Requirements for Remittance Providers," September 27, 2024
- "CFPB Issues Circular Warning Against Overdraft Practices," September 20, 2024
- "Senators Urge Regulators to Adopt Tighter Controls for BNPL," September 20, 2024
- "California Regulator Cautions Businesses Against the Use of Dark Patterns," September 20, 2024
- "CFPB Cracks Down on Credit Services Provider for Gouging and Trapping Consumers," September 13, 2024
- "CFPB Settles Action Against Student Loan Servicer with Industry Ban," September 13, 2024
- "CFPB Targets Medical and Rental Debt Collection in 2024 Annual Report," September 13, 2024
- "Fed Issues Cease and Desist Order for Crypto-Related Compliance and Risk Management Deficiencies," September 6, 2024
- "CFPB Penalizes VA Lender for Misrepresenting Cost of Cash-Out Refinance Loans," September 6, 2024
- "DC Attorney General Settles with Title Insurance Companies Over Alleged Kickback Scheme," August 30, 2024
- "CFPB Hits Executive Compensation in Action Against National Mortgage Servicer for Illegal Foreclosure Practices," August 30, 2024
- "Federal Court Upholds CFPB’s Small Business Lending Rule," August 27, 2024
- "New Hampshire Updates Motor Vehicle Retail Installment Act: What Lenders Need to Know," August 23, 2024
- "CFPB Announces Advisory Opinion on Applicability of TILA and Regulation Z To Contracts for Deed," August 16, 2024
- "CFPB Settles Action against Third-Party Service Provider Supporting Credit Repair Industry," August 9, 2024
- "FTC Settles Action Against Online Career-Training Company for Deceptive Advertising," August 2, 2024
- "Federal Regulators Issue Joint Statement and Request for Information Emphasizing Caution with BaaS Model," August 2, 2024
- "CFPB Report Spotlights Hidden Fees in School Lunch Payments," July 26, 2024
- "FTC’s Shuts Down Operators of Debt Relief Enterprise," July 26, 2024
- "CFPB Issues Circular, Warning Against Whistleblower Intimidation," July 26, 2024
- "Lease-to-Own Fintech Sues the CFPB, Claiming it’s Unconstitutional," July 26, 2024
- "CFPB Proposes Interpretive Rule Characterizing Earned Wage Access Products as Loans," July 19, 2024
- "Pennsylvania Amends Data Protection Requirements with Revised Breach Notification Act," July 19, 2024
- "CFPB Wins Big Reversal in Illinois Redlining Lawsuit," July 12, 2024
- "CFPB Proposes Revamped RESPA Mortgage Servicing Rules," July 12, 2024
- "Latest CFPB Supervisory Highlights Focuses on Servicing and Debt Collection Practices," July 5, 2024
- "FTC Files Action Against Student Debt Relief Enterprise," July 5, 2024
- "Oklahoma Bank Faces FDIC Consent Order," July 5, 2024
- "Key Takeaways from the CFPB’s 2023 Fair Lending Report," July 5, 2024
- "Federal Reserve Board Issues Cease and Desist Order Against Banking-As-A-Service Provider," July 1, 2024
- "CFPB Extends Compliance Deadline for Section 1071 Rule," July 1, 2024
- "Supreme Court Strikes Down Chevron: What Now?" July 1, 2024
- "Payday Lending Rule Slated to Take Effect, 7 Years Later," June 21, 2024
- "CFPB Takes Action Against Owners of Small Dollar Lender for Hiding Money to Avoid Penalties," June 21, 2024
- "CFPB Cracks Down on Mortgage Servicers, Alleging Harmful Practices Against Older Homeowners," June 21, 2024
- "CFPB Files $3.95M Proposed Order to Settle HMDA Lawsuit Against Florida-Based Mortgage Company," June 21, 2024
- "Maryland Banking Regulator Settles with Bank/Fintech Partnership For Unlicensed Lending, Credit Repair, and Debt Collection Activities," June 14, 2024
- "Florida Expands its 'De-Banking' Law," June 14, 2024
- "CFPB Circular Targets 'Deceptive' Fine Print," June 7, 2024
- "CFPB Takes Legal Action Against Student Loan Servicer for Chasing Debt on Discharged Student Loans," June 7, 2024
- "CFPB Opens Public Probe on Closing Fees," May 31, 2024
- "FHA’s Releases 12-Hour Cyber Incident Notification Rule," May 31, 2024
- "South Carolina Enacts Earned Wages Access Law," May 31, 2024
- "CFPB Director Targets Credit Reporting Fees," May 24, 2024
- "HUD Updates Home Equity Conversion Rules for Purchases," May 24, 2024
- "Colorado Enacts Nation’s First AI Discrimination Law," May 24, 2024
- "CFPB Wins at the Supreme Court," May 17, 2024
- "Takeaways From the FDIC’s Spring 2024 Consumer Compliance Supervisory Highlights," May 10, 2024
- "CFPB Targets Credit Card Rewards Programs," May 10, 2024
- "CFPB Settles Action Against Student Loan Servicer and Securitization Trusts," May 10, 2024
- "FTC Calls Out Bill Payment Company’s Use of Dark Pattern Practices," May 3, 2024
- "FTC Cracks Down on Payments Processor for Facilitating Fraud," May 3, 2024
- "Ninth Circuit Holds Loan Modification Made By Unlicensed Lender Violates State Usury Law," May 3, 2024
- "Tennessee New Law to Curb 'De-Banking'," May 3, 2024
- "Kansas Enacts Earned Wage Access Law," April 26, 2024
- "CFPB Announces Update in Continued War on Mortgage Servicing Junk Fees," April 26, 2024
- "CFPB Fines and Bans Coding Bootcamp over Deceptive Student Lending Practices," April 19, 2024
- "Fed Brings Enforcement Action Against Wyoming Bank Holding Company Over 'Fintech Business Strategy'," April 19, 2024
- "Kansas Introduces New Commercial Financing Disclosure Law," April 19, 2024
- "Kentucky Restricts Marketing for Non-Bank Entities and Provides Clarity in Residential Real Estate Transactions," April 19, 2024
- "States Sue the Biden Administration to Stop Loan Relief Plan," April 12, 2024
- "FDIC Issues Orders Against Two More Banks Over Fintech Partnerships," April 12, 2024
- "Washington State Passes New “True Lender” Legislation," April 12, 2024
- "Persisting Regulatory Uncertainty: Federal Regulators Delay New Community Lending Rules," April 5, 2024
- "CFPB and FTC Argue Consumer Reporting Companies Have an Obligation to Correct Errors in Joint Amicus Brief," April 5, 2024
- "Lenders Sue to Block Colorado’s Interest Rate ‘Opt-Out’ Law," March 29, 2024
- "Wisconsin Signs Earned Wage Access Bill into Law," March 29, 2024
- "Third Circuit Ruling Gives CFPB Green Light to Enforce Against Student Loan Trusts," March 22, 2024
- "New Hampshire Enacts Comprehensive Consumer Privacy Law," March 22, 2024
- "CFPB Renews Push on 'Junk Fees' with Closing Costs in its Sights," March 15, 2024
- "FTC Announces Major Expansion of Telemarketing Sales Rule," March 15, 2024
- "Louisiana Becomes Latest State to Introduce Commercial Financing Disclosure Legislation," March 15, 2024
- "The CFPB Finalizes Credit Card Late Fee Rulemaking," March 8, 2024
- "New York Attorney General Brings $1.4 Billion Lawsuit Against Merchant Cash Advance Lenders," March 8, 2024
- "Trade Groups Continue Fight Against CFPB’s 1071 Small Business Rulemaking," March 8, 2024
- "Minnesota AG Bans Tribal Lender from Doing Business within the State," March 8, 2024
- "CFPB Issues Risk-Based Supervision Order Against Installment Lender," March 1, 2024
- "FDIC Issues Consent Order Against Tennessee Bank," March 1, 2024
- "Justice Department Hire’s First Chief AI Officer," March 1, 2024
- "Auto Finance Company Faces Class Action Lawsuit for Targeting Military Families," March 1, 2024
- "The CFPB Takes Aim at Digital Comparison Shopping Websites and Lead Generators," March 1, 2024
- "California AG Warns State-Chartered Banks and Credit Unions on Fees," March 1, 2024
- "Congress Continues to Pressure Payment Apps to Change their Fraud Policies," February 23, 2024
- "CFPB’s Enhanced Supervisory Appeals Process: A Potentially Beneficial Shift for Financial Institutions," February 23, 2024
- "CFPB Ramps Up Auto Finance Scrutiny: A Look at the New Data Collection Initiative," February 23, 2024
- "DOJ and SEC Officials Issue Harsh Warnings Concerning the Misuse of AI," February 16, 2024
- "NLRB Finds Common Provisions in Mortgage Lender Employment Contract Illegal," February 16, 2024
- "South Dakota Lenders on Tight Deadline for BSA/AML Compliance," February 16, 2024
- "Crypto Platform Settles SEC and State Regulator Charges over Interest Bearing Feature on Customer Accounts," February 16, 2024
- "DOJ and North Carolina Attorney General Reach $13.5M Settlement in Discriminatory Lending Case," February 9, 2024
- "FTC Announces Settlement of Junk Fee Enforcement Action," February 9, 2024
- "Bank Partnership Moves to Dismiss Class Action Asserting Violations of Georgia Rate Cap Law," February 9, 2024
- "Bank Groups Sue to Overturn New Community Lending Rules," February 9, 2024
- "More States on the Cusp of Enacting 'True Lender' Laws," February 2, 2024
- "California Bill Proposes to License All Commercial Loan Brokers," February 2, 2024
- "New York Governor Consumer Protection Agenda Targets Unfair and Deceptive Practices and BNPL Providers," February 2, 2024
- "Federal Reserve and NYDFS Penalize Large Global Bank for BSA/AML and Other Compliance Failures," February 2, 2024
- "FTC Cracks Down on Data Aggregator, Bans Sale of Precise Consumer Location Data," February 2, 2024
- "CFPB and Attorneys General Sue Debt-Relief Enterprise," January 26, 2024
- "FTC Settles with Cash-Advance Fintech for Alleged Deceptive and Discriminatory Practices," January 26, 2024
- "FTC Opens Inquiry Into Generative AI Investments and Partnerships," January 26, 2024
- "CFPB Continues its War on Fees," January 26, 2024
- "CFPB Continues Focus on Credit Reporting with Guidance on FCRA Compliance," January 26, 2024
Media Mentions
Speaking Engagements
- Panelist, "How the CFPB’s New Registries Impact Compliance," Online Lenders Alliance Compliance University, July 2023
- Panelist, "CFPB Panel Discussion," Online Lenders Alliance’s Executive Policy Summit, April 2023
- Panelist, "How Changes at the CFPB and Other Regulators are affecting Enforcement," February 2023
- Panelist, "Regulation F and the New Debt Collection Rules," Online Lenders Alliance’s Compliance University, July 2022
- Panelist, "Government Regulatory Roundtable," iiBIG’s Education Finance & Loan Symposium, May 2022
Events
Memberships
Memberships
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
South Asian Bar Association
Fellow, Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
Member, Montgomery County Commission on Juvenile Justice (2011-2015)
Practices
Industries
Education
J.D., University of Chicago Law School, 2005
B.A., University of Michigan, 2000, High Honors
Clerkships
- Hon. Judge Rhesa H. Barksdale, United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Virginia
- U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia