Austin is a strategic problem solver and negotiator who prioritizes collaboration, practical guidance and preventive risk management across the financial services sector.
Overview
Austin counsels and defends national banks and other financial institutions in state and federal litigation involving consumer finance and business banking. His work spans deposit banking operations, automotive finance, mortgage and unsecured lending, and consumer privacy.
Austin advises financial institutions and other businesses on compliance with state and federal consumer protection and privacy laws, debt collection and finance lending laws, and bank regulations. He has also developed niche practices in transactional counseling, negotiation and e-discovery management.
Close coordination is the hallmark of Austin’s practice, and he is known for staying closely aligned with client goals at every stage. He makes it his business to know his client’s business, and to protect the client’s bottom line.
Austin has published numerous articles and white papers on financial services issues. Additionally, he is a co-author of the California Continuing Education of the Bar’s (CEB) treatise on the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (Ch. 2D, Debt Collection Practice in California), and he is an update author of CEB treatises on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Ch. 2A, Debt Collection), Financial Data Privacy (Ch. 6, Privacy Compliance and Litigation in California) and Identity Theft (Ch. 10, Privacy Compliance).
Experience
Manages team of over 20 attorneys handling over 100 annual litigation matters in six states involving deposit operations and mortgage servicing issues for one of the world’s largest banks.
Serves as lead attorney for all e-discovery matters assigned by a major financial institution client.
Represented a bank through trial in a significant matter involving loan defaults and deposit fraud allegations, achieving a six-figure award for the client while successfully defending cross-claims approaching $10 million.
Acted as outside general counsel to an engineering firm with an international footprint, responsible for drafting and negotiation of contracts with state agency and major industry clients and subcontractors.
News & Insights
Speaking Engagements
"California’s Coerced Debt Law: Operational Mechanics and Compliance Best Practices," Association of Consumer Vehicle Lessors, October 2023
"The California DFPI: Regulatory Scope and Attorney Liability," Association of Consumer Vehicle Lessors, October 2023
"The California DFPI: Regulatory Scope and Attorney Liability," California Creditors Bar Association, June 2023
"Are You Covered? Behind the Drive to Regulate GAP Waivers," Conference on Consumer Finance Law, October 2022
"Telephonic Collection Law Update: The Good, The Bad, and What’s To Come," Association of Consumer Vehicle Lessors, October 2021
"Best Practices for Vendor Management Under the California Consumer Privacy Act," Association of Consumer Vehicle Lessors, September 2020
Publications
The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, Debt Collection Practice in California, Ch. 2D (CEB 2025)
"California’s Coerced Debt Law: Operational Mechanics and Compliance Best Practices," 77 CONF. CONS. FIN. L.Q. 2, pp. 144-164 (Spring 2023).
"Are You Covered? Behind the Drive to Regulate GAP Waivers," 76 CONF. CONS. FIN. L.Q. 1, pp. 81-92 (Spring 2022).
"Best Practices for Vendor Management Under the California Consumer Privacy Act in the Debt Collection Space," 74 CONF. CONS. FIN. L.Q. 2-3, pp. 318-327 (Spring 2021)
"Rethinking Vendor Supervision Obligations Through a Privacy Lens," California Business Law Reporter (March 2021)
Professional & Civic Activities
Professional & Civic Activities
Association of Consumer Vehicle Lessors, Advisor
California Creditors Bar Association, Advisor
Conference on Consumer Finance Law, Member
Orange County Bar Association, Member
American Bar Association, Business Law Section
- Consumer Financial Services Committee, Member
International Association of Privacy Professionals, Member
Practices & Industries
Admissions
- California
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Nothern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
Education
University of Colorado School of Law, J.D., 2005
University of California, San Diego, B.A., 2001