Profile

With a deep understanding of federal and state consumer protection laws developed over 20 years at Hudson Cook, Michael helps businesses navigate complex regulatory requirements with confidence. As a partner in our Washington, DC office, he advises clients on compliance with laws and regulations enforced by multiple federal agencies including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Michael's clients are interested in marketing their products and services to consumers and servicing customer relationships in compliance with applicable law. They come to Michael for practical, thoughtful guidance on navigating federal and state standards regulating telemarketing, text message marketing, email marketing, online advertising, direct mail, and other types of consumer contact. Clients include mortgage lenders, auto finance companies, personal loan companies, debt settlement firms, and lead generators.

Michael's primary focus is working with clients to:

• Implement successful business strategies that incorporate compliance with federal and state laws and regulations addressing marketing, communicating with consumers, and data privacy. This includes identifying and reconciling inconsistent federal and state standards and standards that vary from state to state.
• Develop compliance strategies for debt settlement companies, retailers, lenders, mortgage bankers, auto finance companies, marketers, entrepreneurs, and lead generators. Many of Michael's clients must accommodate general standards that apply to everyone as well as industry-specific requirements and prohibitions. This requires thoughtful conversations with clients, lawyers and non-lawyers alike, and exceptional listening skills.
• Represent businesses in CFPB, FTC, and FCC investigations and enforcement actions.
• Advise on the proper collection, use, and disclosure of consumer information.

Before joining Hudson Cook, Michael worked as a staff attorney in the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, where he played a key role in developing amendments to the Telemarketing Sales Rule and managing the initial rounds of rulemaking under the CAN-SPAM Act. He also litigated consumer protection cases involving fraud and deceptive marketing and spoke nationwide on FTC enforcement and compliance. Having experience working as a federal regulator as well as many years in private practice give Michael an unusually broad perspective that his clients appreciate. When it comes to marketing compliance, answers are rarely black and white. Being able to see things from the regulator's point of view helps clients assess risk and make informed decisions.

Michael believes that listening is an underrated skill for outside counsel. Typically, Michael's client engagements begin with a conversation about the client's business, the client's vision for success, and how the client can turn that vision into reality with a compliant marketing plan. Michael takes pride in his ability to explain complicated legal issues in ways everyone throughout the client's organization can understand.

Federal marketing standards are known for their disproportionately severe penalties compared to the conduct they regulate. Companies who do not emphasize compliance with these standards can face substantial threats that could have been avoided with experienced guidance during the planning process. Clients who consult Michael early find that they are often able put their marketing ideas into action with minimal disruption.

Michael is dedicated to helping businesses develop compliance strategies that align with regulatory expectations while supporting growth and innovation.

When Michael is not practicing law at Hudson Cook, he has enjoyed hosting several Grateful Dead nights at BabyCat, his local brewery in Kensington, Maryland. He is hoping to be invited back soon for another installment.