Contact: Laura Gingiss, 773.469.1059 or Lgingiss@baretzbrunelle.com
SEATTLE – May 26, 2021 – As banks, fintech companies, and others providing financial services navigate a complex regulatory landscape, Davis Wright Tremaine has added a former Federal Trade Commission enforcement attorney to its enforcement & investigations practice within the banking and financial services group. Thomas Kost joins DWT's Seattle office as counsel, strengthening the firm's growing regulatory practice area.
"Thomas brings critical capabilities and expertise on both sides of complex investigations, enforcement actions, and litigation involving federal regulatory agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the Department of Justice," said Bradford Hardin, co-chair of the banking and financial services group. "His experience in fair lending and small business financing will help clients navigate regulatory trends and projected enforcement priorities for the FTC and CFPB."
Prior to joining the firm, Kost served as a staff attorney with the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, where he played a leading role in handling all aspects of investigations and litigation to enforce the FTC Act's prohibition on deceptive or unfair conduct, as well as a range of other consumer financial laws. He also helped develop the agency's enforcement strategy relating to small business financing. Before joining the FTC, Kost practiced at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, where he represented banks, card issuers, and non-bank financial services providers in high-stakes matters involving retail deposit products, overdraft services, mortgage lending and servicing, credit cards, and prepaid cards.
"DWT has a long history of providing up-and-coming lawyers with the space and support to grow their practices in a meaningful way," said Kost. "The firm's entrepreneurial spirit makes it a great place to build a practice, and its deep industry knowledge makes it a great place to serve clients. I feel confident that my knowledge of the consumer finance and small business enforcement regime, coupled with my perspective as a former regulator, can help solidify DWT's position as a leading one-stop shop for clients operating in highly regulated industries."
Kost began his career as a law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit. He received his B.A. in politics from Whitman College and his J.D. from Northwestern University's Pritzker School of Law.
About Davis Wright Tremaine
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is a national law firm with more than 550 lawyers representing clients based throughout the United States and around the world. For more information, visit www.dwt.com.