William Heller, ESQ

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William Heller, ESQ

Akerman LLP, Chief Legal Advisor

Bill Heller founded and chairs Akerman’s Consumer Financial Services, Data and Technology Practice Group (CFS+), among the largest national legal teams supporting consumer financial service providers and emerging technologies. Bill is also chair of Akerman’s Coronavirus Task Force, a collaboration among the firm’s industry-focused practice teams to help clients effectively manage the evolving challenges and mitigate the unprecedented risks arising from COVID-19. Active in firm leadership, Bill serves as a member of Akerman’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors. In addition to his significant practice and governance roles, Bill serves as Chief Legal Advisor to JFI Medical LLC, a group of nationally accomplished African American physicians and professionals dedicated to developing strategies for affording underserved communities access to premium medical products and services.

CFS+ lawyers—some former in-house and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau attorneys—lead, coordinate and consult on big stakes and high volume national litigation, federal and state examination, investigation and enforcement support, as well as regulatory compliance in all 50 states. A recognized authority and frequent speaker on litigation and compliance issues relating to loan origination, servicing and foreclosure process enhancements, Bill is ranked by Chambers USA, Benchmark Litigation, and Best Lawyers in America for financial services law.

As a litigator, Bill has extensive experience in state and federal courts throughout the country, both trial and appellate. He has partnered with industry leaders and the largest institutions defending lawsuits involving debt origination, servicing and investment. This includes individual and class consumer claims arising under federal laws—the Truth in Lending Act, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Fair Housing Act, Telephone Consumer Protection Act, and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act—as well as state fair lending, collection, and deceptive trade practice laws. Bill and his team have built and managed all-state rapid response projects, providing risk management, issue escalation and direct case handling for loan and credit card servicers. Bill is an experienced jury trial and appellate oralist. He also established a team for investigating and recovering from mortgage fraud, litigating title-related disputes and pursuing foreclosure process abuse claims. And, Bill also leads investigations and litigation involving industry software, technology and trade secrets.

As a compliance lawyer, Bill advises financial services clients on operationalizing federal and state origination and servicing requirements, industry standards and best practices, court rules and local customs for origination, servicing and foreclosure. He has vast experience reviewing and implementing internal procedures, including conducting 50-state foreclosure process reviews, sworn document and notice updates and enhancements. Bill and the CFS+ team have leading-edge experience on foreclosure process holds and restart procedures, working closely with courts and regulators. As the leader of Akerman’s Coronavirus Task Force, Bill engages the pandemic’s constant challenges to businesses, workforces and supply chains, along with risk management across jurisdictions and business sectors.