Brian G. Lauer
Partner
Brian is a partner with the law firm Messick Lauer & Smith P.C. For more than ten years, credit unions have contacted Brian to help find effective ways to better serve their members. To that end, Brian has helped credit unions and innovators form 100’s of CUSOs providing new and innovative products and services. These projects have helped credit unions to generate more net income and to collaborate to reduce operating costs.
His advice also helps credit unions and CUSOs to navigate the sea of regulations affecting nearly every aspect of their day to day operations. In addition, credit unions and CUSOs look to Brian for support when offering a number of different services, including: sale of investment services, insurance services, mortgage lending, title insurance, indirect lending, business lending and loan participation, credit card lending, student lending, operational services such as compliance and marketing, information technology support, stored value and debit cards, peer to peer payments, payroll processing, technology development and disaster recovery/business continuation.
This experience has lead to Brian speaking at many conferences and seminars as well as facilitating strategic planning sessions throughout the country. Brian received his Juris Doctorate from Temple University’s Beasley School of Law, where he also served as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Science, Technology and Environmental Law. He is admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Amanda J. Smith
Partner
Amanda is a partner with the law firm of Messick Lauer & Smith P.C. Her practice includes the representation of credit unions and credit union service organizations.
Amanda focuses her practice in the area of regulatory compliance and is especially experienced in the consumer compliance regulations. Amanda has spoken on a variety of credit union topics, such as Regulation Z, SAFE Act, RESPA and regulations issued by the CFPB. She is also a founding member of the Mortgage Services Advisory Board for NACUSO where she serves as the resident mortgage regulation expert.
Amanda attended Villanova University School of Law and received a Juris Doctorate degree in 2004. She is admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Michael J. Heller
Associate
Michael J. Heller is an Associate with the law firm Messick Lauer & Smith P.C. Michael’s primary focus at Messick Lauer & Smith P.C. is providing guidance and expertise on contract terms for vendor contracts and agreements. In this capacity, Michael begins with an understanding of the client’s business objectives and works with the client to ensure appropriate mitigation of risk to accomplish those business goals. Michael also serves as the primary liaison for contract review and negotiations for clients using Apogee iQ, a software product combining consulting services and software to create a dynamic and strategic vendor management process. Michael also assists clients with CUSO formation and lending services.
Michael is a graduate of Drexel University where he earned his Bachelor of Science in History and Politics in 2007. Michael then attended Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota and received a Juris Doctorate degree in 2010. Michael is admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania.
Jennifer L. Winston
Associate
Jennifer L. Winston is an Associate with the law firm of Messick Lauer & Smith P.C. Jennifer represents credit unions and credit union service organizations primarily in consumer law regulation and compliance matters.
Jennifer’s practice focuses on fair credit reporting, debt collection, electronic funds and payments compliance, and consumer privacy. She also monitors CFPB developments for her clients and regularly gives presentations on navigating the CFPB regulatory landscape. Jennifer assists credit unions and CUSOs in the development of corporate polices, including repossession, debt collection, information security, and member privacy policies.
Jennifer is a graduate of the University of South Florida where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2003. She attended The Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson School of Law, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania receiving a Juris Doctorate in 2009. During law school, Jennifer was a legal extern for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Regulatory Counsel and participated in the Moot Court Trial Board. Following graduation, Jennifer clerked for the Honorable Charles T. Jones, Jr., Court of Common Pleas, Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Jennifer is admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Michael Mulvey
Associate
Michael Mulvey is an associate with the law firm Messick Lauer & Smith P.C. Michael focuses his practice on assisting credit unions in increasing net income and reducing operating costs by forming CUSOs.
Michael also helps companies in the financial services industry form CUSOs to strategically collaborate with credit union partners. He assists clients with entity formation, drafting corporate documents and any ancillary agreements needed to effectively and efficiently operate the CUSO. Michael also assists clients with contract reviews and general corporate legal issues.
Michael received his Juris Doctorate from North Carolina Central University School of Law in 2016. During law school, he was a Senior Editor on the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Law Review. He is admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania and North Carolina.