William P. Heller

William P. Heller

Financial Services Regulation Law

5.0 (1 reviews)
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
32+ years experience
Akerman LLP
Updated:

Contact Information

201 East Las Olas Boulevard, Suite 1800, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
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Bio

Bill Heller founded and chairs Akerman’s Consumer Financial Services Practice Group, among the largest national legal teams supporting consumer financial service providers. Bill leads a team of more than 100 lawyers—some former in-house and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau attorneys—with a platform for 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 partnering 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 lawyer. Bill also established a team for investigating and recovering from mortgage fraud, litigating title-related disputes, and pursuing foreclosure process abuse claims.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 Heller founded and chairs Akerman’s Consumer Financial Services Practice Group, among the largest national legal teams supporting consumer financial service providers. Bill leads a team of more than 100 lawyers—some former in-house and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau attorneys—with a platform for 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 partnering 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 lawyer. Bill also established a team for investigating and recovering from mortgage fraud, litigating title-related disputes, and pursuing foreclosure process abuse claims.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 Heller founded and chairs Akerman’s Consumer Financial Services Practice Group, among the largest national legal teams supporting consumer financial service providers. Bill leads a team of more than 100 lawyers—some former in-house and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau attorneys—with a platform for 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 partnering 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 lawyer. Bill also established a team for investigating and recovering from mortgage fraud, litigating title-related disputes, and pursuing foreclosure process abuse claims. 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.

Practice Areas

Financial Services Regulation Law

Awards & Recognition

  • Recognized: Financial Services Regulation Law
  • Practice Area: Banking and Finance Law
  • Practice Area: Commercial Litigation
  • Practice Area: Litigation - Banking and Finance
  • Special Focus: Consumer Finance
  • Special Focus: Finance
  • Florida Trend's Legal Elite 2007, Listed for Litigation
  • Super Lawyers Magazine 2008-2010, 2013-2016, Listed in Florida for Business Litigation
  • Benchmark Litigation 2010-2016, Listed as a litigation star in Florida for Complex Commercial Litigation
  • Chambers USA 2006-2016, Ranked in Florida for Litigation: General Commercial and listed as a Recognized Practitioner Nationwide for Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Litigation)
  • South Florida Business Journal 2005, Listed in "Best of the Bar"

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2015

Education

  • University of Miami School of Law, J.D., graduated 1993

Reviews

J

Jeffrey Walker

2 weeks ago

A consummate professional who delivered a complex resolution

Our company, a regional mortgage servicer, faced a daunting multi-state regulatory investigation that threatened significant operational disruption. We engaged Bill Heller based on his national reputation in consumer financial services law. From the outset, his deep, three-decade understanding of both banking regulation and commercial litigation was evident. He didn't just react; he provided a strategic framework, explaining the interplay between the CFPB guidelines and state-level statutes with remarkable clarity. Bill and his team at Akerman, leveraging the full resources of the practice group he chairs, conducted a meticulous internal review and crafted our responses. His recognition in Financial Services Regulation Law wasn't just a line on a website—it translated into practical, authoritative advocacy with the regulators. The result was a favorable settlement that allowed us to implement corrective measures without crippling penalties, preserving our business model. Bill’s calm, seasoned guidance throughout the 14-month process was invaluable. He is that rare attorney who combines formidable technical expertise with genuine pragmatism and client stewardship. For any financial services entity navigating complex legal and regulatory challenges, William Heller is the definitive choice.

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