Overview

Christopher Leach is a litigation partner in Kirkland’s Washington, D.C., office. As a former attorney with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), his practice focuses on consumer-facing issues, including data privacy, false advertising, marketing practices and other aspects of customer acquisition. He represents and advises clients in a broad range of industries, including the fintech, financial services, food and beverage, automotive and telecommunications industries, defending those companies in litigation, before government agencies and in self-regulatory proceedings such as the National Advertising Division (NAD).

As a lawyer in the FTC’s Division of Financial Practices, Christopher investigated and litigated consumer protection enforcement actions and developed enforcement policy. His relevant areas of experience include fintech, cryptocurrency, consumer financial data privacy, gig economy, fair lending and consumer telecommunications. He worked on some of the agency’s most visible fintech actions, including active litigation against FleetCor Technologies, Inc. and its CEO for deceptive advertising and charging customers hundreds of millions of dollars in unauthorized fees through its B2B payment system; a $10 million settlement with Yellowstone Capital in connection with the company’s merchant-cash-advance practices; and advised on cryptocurrency issues.

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Thought Leadership

Publications

“A Closer Look At Auto Renewal Risk Post-CFPB Guidance,” Law360, March 17, 2023

“Pratt’s Privacy & Cybersecurity Law Report,” LexisNexis, January 2023

“Calculating FTC Section 19 Monetary Relief After AMG,” Law360, August 15, 2022

“Looking Ahead at the FTC’s Enforcement Agenda,” Bloomberg Law, August 3, 2022

“Fintech & The Federal Trade Commission,” CPI TechREG Chronicle, May 2022

“Prepare For FTC’s Expanded Use of Gramm-Leach-Bliley,” Law360, January 28, 2022

Speaking Engagements

“The CFPB and FTC’s War on ‘Junk Fees’ and What You Need to Know,” May 3, 2023

“Consumer Financial Services Breakfast Briefing: The CFPB and FTC’s War on ‘Junk Fees’ and What You Need to Know,” April 13, 2023

“Navigating US Agency Subpoenas: Tips for a Fintech’s First Time,” April 12, 2023

“The FTC’s Rulemaking on Non-Compete Agreements with Workers: What You Need to Know,” February 8, 2023

“Artificial Intelligence & Financial Services Symposium,” October 27, 2022

“Industry Deep Dive: Insights From Capitol Hill & How the Performance Marketing Industry Can Influence Change, Consent Summit,” October 25, 2022

“FTC and CFPB Priorities for the Auto Industry,” September 29, 2022

“Fair Lending Symposium,” September 20, 2022

“Future of Business Lending,” Lend360, September 13, 2022

“Emerging Issues for Fintech Companies,” September 7, 2022

“2022 OLA Compliance University,” Online Lenders Alliance, July 19–20, 2022

“Investigating Misuse of Cryptocurrency: DOJ and FTC Enforcement Panel,” March 30, 2022

“Managing Compliance Risk in Outsourced Customer-facing Functions,” March 9, 2022

“Understanding the CFPB and FTC in 2022 (and What to Expect Ahead),” March 3, 2022

Podcasts

“Navigating Litigation Challenges in Explainable AI,” Global Financial Markets Podcast, February 2, 2023

“CFPB Update—Constitutional Crisis or Business as Usual?” Global Financial Markets Podcast, December 13, 2022

“Consent Summit Podcast Episode 3 with Christopher Leach of Mayer Brown,” LeadsCon, October 18, 2022

Press Mentions

“Congress or FTC? What About SEC? Where U.S. Federal Privacy Legislation Efforts Stand in 2023,” Compliance Week, February 28, 2023

“The FTC Lost Their Last Republican Commissioner. What Happens Next?” AdExchanger, February 16, 2023

“FTC’s Enforcement Action Against GoodRx Unveiled a New Regulatory Threat. Should Digital Health Apps Be Concerned?” Healthcare Dive, February 13, 2023

“FTC Shows Privacy Heft With Groundbreaking GoodRx Action,” Law360, February 7, 2023

“Commanders Financial Misconduct Investigation Could Be Next for DC Attorney General,” Fox 5 Washington D.C., November 11, 2022

“US Lenders Could Face Less Scrutiny After Ruling on US Watchdog,” Bloomberg Law, October 21, 2022

“6 Key Takeaways for Influencers from Kim Kardashian’s $1.26 Million SEC Settlement — And What it Means for Crypto Marketing,” Business Insider, October 5, 2022

“FTC’s Move to Link Data Privacy With Antitrust Has Attorneys Waiting for Clarity,” Law.com, September 13, 2022

“The FTC And DOJ Are Rewriting The Rules,” Law360, September 6, 2022

“The Rise of the Crypto Hype Men: How Youtubers Are Making Fortunes By Promoting Cryptocurrencies, Making Wild Predictions, and Profiting Off Their Loyal Fans,” Business Insider, August 2022

“Pace of Cryptocurrency Fraud Losses Accelerates in Q1 – FTC,” S&P Global Market Intelligence, June 8, 2022

“The Fed’s New Framework Ages Fast,” Morning Money, Politico, June 7, 2022

“FTC Reports More than $1 Billion Lost to Crypto Fraud Since 2021,” Crowdfund Insider, June 4, 2022

“Cryptocurrency Suits Could Provide Road Map for Litigation Against NFT Marketplaces Exchanges,” Law.com, May 11, 2022

“Commanders Deny Allegations of Financial Misconduct,” Fox 5 Washington D.C., April 18, 2022

 

Recognition

Recognized by The Legal 500 U.S. for Antitrust: Merger Control, 2024

Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • 2018Maryland
  • 2012District of Columbia
  • 2011New York

Courts

  • United States District Court for the District of Columbia
  • United States District Court for the District of Maryland

Education

  • Duke University School of LawJ.D.magna cum laude2010

    Order of the Coif

    Duke Law Journal

  • Dartmouth CollegeB.A., Governmentsumma cum laude2006
    Phi Beta Kappa