Alexandra Megaris

Representative Matters

• Led the defense of a well-known specialty finance company in a significant CFPB investigation and settlement involving allegations of unfair, deceptive, and abusive acts and practices, and violations of other consumer financial laws, including the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, and Electronic Fund Transfers Act
• Assisted in advising the Independent Monitor to Deutsche Bank AG, as part of the bank's $7.2B settlement with DOJ over the sale of residential mortgage-backed securities
• Defended an online marketer of nutraceutical products in an FTC investigation of advertising and marketing practices under the FTC Act and ROSCA; the investigation was resolved favorably for the client
• Obtained closure of an FTC investigation into a company providing coaching and mentoring services; the matter was resolved favorably for the client.
• Advised a debt buyer/collector in preparing for and navigating a CFPB examination effectively
• Represented a direct-response marketer in an FTC and New York attorney general investigation regarding marketing practices, and obtained a favorable settlement for the client
• Defended a lead generation company for the consumer lending industry in a CFPB investigation and litigation involving allegations of unfair and abusive acts and practices
• Represented a major U.S. retailer before the New York State attorney general, involving violation of a product-specific law and UDAP; obtained a favorable settlement for the client
• Represented an online marketer in parallel investigations by the attorneys general of New York, Washington, and Florida; reached a favorable settlement for the client.
• Defended a leading specialty finance company in a five-year, multistate attorney general investigation, regarding alleged unfair and deceptive acts or practices, and violations of state debt collection law
• Represented a national debt collection agency in parallel investigations by various state licensing agencies and state attorneys general, including Massachusetts and Connecticut, involving allegations under laws regulating debt collection and collection litigation practices
• Represented a major 501(c)(4) advocacy organization before the House Energy and Commercial Committee regarding the Committee's inquiries about the Affordable Care Act, including preparing  the organization's representatives to testify
• Represented a clean energy advocacy organization before the Select Committee on Energy Independency and Global Warming, and prepared the organization’s president to testify before the Committee, regarding its inquiry

Education

• J.D. Fordham University School of Law 2008
• • Intern, the Honorable Loretta A. Preska of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • Intern, United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York
• B.A. University of Pennsylvania 2005

Bar Admissions

• New York
• District of Columbia
• New Jersey

Court Admissions

• U.S. Supreme Court

Professional Memberships and Activities

• Young lawyer liaison, American Bar Association Consumer Financial Services Committee subcommittee on Debt Collection Practices and Bankruptcy, through fall 2019 — focused on consumer debt collection practices and the aspects of bankruptcy that affect consumer financial services

Pro Bono

• Maintains a dedicated pro bono practice representing individuals and families seeking asylum in the United States

Personal Activities