Spencer Fane LLP is pleased to welcome Katie Shepard to the firm’s Tampa, Florida, office as a partner in the Banking and Financial Services Practice Group.
Katie represents financial institutions, mortgage lenders and servicers, FinTech companies, and other consumer financial services providers in complex litigation and class actions in state and federal courts. Her practice focuses on claims arising under key consumer protection statutes, including the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, Truth in Lending Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
In addition, Katie defends mortgage lenders, servicers, and financial services companies against borrower claims alleging wrongful foreclosure, unfair or deceptive business practices, violations of state consumer protection laws, and debt collection-related disputes. She also handles complex commercial litigation for financial clients involving processing transactions and the enforcement and defense of secured and unsecured debt agreements.
Beyond her litigation practice, Katie represents clients in investigations and enforcement actions brought by state attorneys general, regulatory agencies, and other governmental authorities. She counsels clients through every stage of investigations, responding to inquiries and developing strategic resolutions.
“Katie’s blend of knowledge and experience in the consumer financial services and emerging tech spaces will be highly valuable amid increasing opportunities in FinTech and related industry intersections,” said Kirby McDonough, office managing partner for Spencer Fane in Tampa. “We look forward to welcoming her to our talented team here in Tampa, where our exceptional service capabilities continue to grow in established and niche sectors.”
Katie also assists financial transaction processing clients with developing and implementing creative business solutions within their evolving regulatory and challenging commercial landscapes, including development of creative business solutions in real estate and transactional spaces with a focus on risk mitigation and alignment of commercial interests.
After completing her bachelor’s degree at the University of Virginia, Katie earned her Juris Doctor cum laude from the University of Kentucky College of Law. She then clerked for the Honorable Chief Judge Joseph H. McKinley, Jr., in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky.
Katie is licensed to practice in Florida, Kentucky, and West Virginia.