Duncan B. Douglass
FinTech Practice
FinTech Practice
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Duncan Douglass heads Alston & Bird’s payment systems practice and focuses on transactions, product development and regulatory issues related to retail and wholesale payment systems and products.Payment Card Services Mr. Douglass regularly counsels payment card issuers and service providers in regulatory compliance matters, in structuring card issuance programs, and in negotiating co-branding, program manager, issuer processor and sales/distribution agent agreements. He also advises merchants, processors and acquirers in regulatory matters and in negotiating sponsorship, acquiring and processing agreements. Further, Mr. Douglass frequently counsels PIN and signature-based card network operators in the structuring of partner relationships and in the development and implementation of network operating rules and procedures.ACH and Check Services Mr. Douglass has extensive experience advising financial institutions, processors and merchants in connection with ACH and check-based payments, including negotiating agreements on behalf of third party service providers, third party senders, retailers and financial institutions related to the authorization, acceptance and processing of ACH and check-based payments.Emerging Payment Services Mr. Douglass has represented numerous bank and non-bank clients in connection with product development, implementation and compliance issues related to emerging and evolving payment mechanisms and systems, including mobile payments, person-to-person payments, and account-to-account transfers. Duncan Douglass heads Alston & Bird’s payment systems practice and focuses on transactions, product development and regulatory issues related to retail and wholesale payment systems and products.Payment Card Services Mr. Douglass regularly counsels payment card issuers and service providers in regulatory compliance matters, in structuring card issuance programs, and in negotiating co-branding, program manager, issuer processor and sales/distribution agent agreements. He also advises merchants, processors and acquirers in regulatory matters and in negotiating sponsorship, acquiring and processing agreements. Further, Mr. Douglass frequently counsels PIN and signature-based card network operators in the structuring of partner relationships and in the development and implementation of network operating rules and procedures.ACH and Check Services Mr. Douglass has extensive experience advising financial institutions, processors and merchants in connection with ACH and check-based payments, including negotiating agreements on behalf of third party service providers, third party senders, retailers and financial institutions related to the authorization, acceptance and processing of ACH and check-based payments.Emerging Payment Services Mr. Douglass has represented numerous bank and non-bank clients in connection with product development, implementation and compliance issues related to emerging and evolving payment mechanisms and systems, including mobile payments, person-to-person payments, and account-to-account transfers. Duncan Douglass heads Alston & Bird’s payment systems practice and focuses on transactions, product development and regulatory issues related to retail and wholesale payment systems and products. Payment Card Services Mr. Douglass regularly counsels payment card issuers and service providers in regulatory compliance matters, in structuring card issuance programs, and in negotiating co-branding, program manager, issuer processor and sales/distribution agent agreements. He also advises merchants, processors and acquirers in regulatory matters and in negotiating sponsorship, acquiring and processing agreements. Further, Mr. Douglass frequently counsels PIN and signature-based card network operators in the structuring of partner relationships and in the development and implementation of network operating rules and procedures. ACH and Check Services Mr. Douglass has extensive experience advising financial institutions, processors and merchants in connection with ACH and check-based payments, including negotiating agreements on behalf of third party service providers, third party senders, retailers and financial institutions related to the authorization, acceptance and processing of ACH and check-based payments. Emerging Payment Services Mr. Douglass has represented numerous bank and non-bank clients in connection with product development, implementation and compliance issues related to emerging and evolving payment mechanisms and systems, including mobile payments, person-to-person payments, and account-to-account transfers.
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2016
Melissa Kim
Our company recently navigated the acquisition of a fintech startup, a process fraught with regulatory complexity in the payment systems space. We engaged Duncan Douglass based on his recognized leadership in FinTech and Banking and Finance law at Alston & Bird. His 25 years of experience were immediately apparent. Duncan didn't just review contracts; he provided strategic counsel on the transaction structure, anticipating regulatory hurdles related to wholesale payment products that our internal team had missed. His dual focus on transactions and product development was invaluable, ensuring the deal was not only legally sound but also commercially viable. The transaction closed smoothly, a direct result of his meticulous preparation and deep understanding of the payments ecosystem. Duncan is the rare attorney who combines top-tier legal expertise with practical business acumen.