Overview
Jennifer M. Keas is a partner and consumer financial services lawyer with Foley & Lardner LLP where she litigates complex, high-stakes cases and other lawsuits and defends clients in investigations and proceedings initiated by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, as well as other matters involving regulatory agencies or state attorneys general.
Ms. Keas regularly provides clients with regulatory and compliance advice on issues arising under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), the Truth in Lending Act, and other federal and state consumer financial services laws. This includes proactively helping to find legal solutions for challenging business problems and counseling clients on matters such as:
- consumer contracts and disclosures
- business arrangements under RESPA, including marketing and advertising relationships and the establishment of affiliated business arrangements and joint ventures
- fees, pricing, and new financial products or services
- loan originator compensation
- ability-to-repay and qualified mortgage requirements
- mortgage marketing and advertising practices
- issues relating to consumer privacy, data security, and document retention
- fair housing and fair lending
- management of risk posed by class actions and potentially unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices
- compliance review and development of compliance policies and procedures
As an experienced litigator and trial attorney, Ms. Keas’ diverse practice includes class action defense, RESPA litigation, defense of claims under unfair trade practice and consumer protection laws, environmental litigation, cases involving complex electronic discovery, appellate matters, issues affecting proprietary post-secondary schools, and other corporate defense work.
Recognition
Ms. Keas was selected for inclusion in the 2014 – 2016 Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers – Rising Stars® lists for her work in business litigation.
Thought Leadership
Ms. Keas is a frequent writer and speaker on topics of significance to the residential real estate and consumer finance industries, including as a contributor to the Consumer Class Defense Counsel (www.consumerclassdefensecounsel.com), a blog devoted to significant news and developments in the consumer financial services arena, and various publications for the Real Estate Services Providers Council, Inc. (RESPRO).
Ms. Keas has also assisted in the development and preparation of amicus briefs to inform the U.S. Supreme Court and federal appellate courts about how their decisions will affect businesses.
Ms. Keas has been a co-presenter for numerous web conferences, including:
- “CFPB’s Prospect Consent Order – What Does it Mean to You and Your Real Estate and Title Partners” (February 2017)
- “Responding to Government Investigations, (May 2015)”
- “CFPB Enforcement Update: Takeaways and Future Areas of Focus,” (February 2014)
Firm Leadership
Ms. Keas serves as a hiring partner on the firm’s Recruiting Committee, where she is committed to recruiting talented and diverse attorneys to succeed at the firm.
Community Engagement
In addition to her legal work with the firm, Ms. Keas is committed to pro bono work and charitable work. She is a member of Foley’s Charity Committee for the D.C. office.
Education
Ms. Keas graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School (J.D., 2006), where she was elected to the Order of the Coif and graduated with distinction. She earned her B.A., with honors, from the University of Wisconsin.