William Stern is a partner in Goodwin’s Financial Services, Banking, Consumer Financial Services, and Fintech practices. William works on a variety of transactional and regulatory matters for Goodwin's financial services clients. William regularly advises depository institutions and their holding companies on compliance with regulatory requirements related to capital, affiliate and insider transactions, permissible activities and investments, anti-money laundering rules, trust department and asset management operations, and consumer protection. He provides regulatory advice related to merger and acquisition transactions undertaken by the firm's financial services clients as well as advising on change in control requirements related to investments in financial institutions. William also counsels the firm’s clients on compliance with federal and state privacy and data protection requirements.
Experience
Credentials
Education
JD1996
The George Washington University Law School
(with high honors)
BA1993
Hamilton College
(summa cum laude)
Admissions
Bars
- New York
- Massachusetts
Recognition & Awards
William is recognized by Chambers USA as a Leading Lawyer in Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance) and by Chambers Global (United States) as a Leading Lawyer for Banking & Finance: Mainly Regulatory. William has also been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America (2022-2023).
Publications
William regularly contributes to client alerts Goodwin provides regarding legal developments and has authored or contributed to articles of interest to the financial services sector.
Some of his recent publications include:
FinCEN Proposes Rules Implementing Corporate Ownership Requirements Under Corporate Transparency Act to Fill Gaps in U.S. Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Co-author (December 21, 2021)
SEC Proposes New Round of Money Market Fund Reforms, Co-author (December 16, 2021)
"Impact of the Volcker Rule on Fund Sponsors Affiliated with Non-US Banking Organisations," Butterworths Journal of International Banking and Financial Law (March 1, 2014)
"Banking Reform - Critical Issues for the Financial Industry," Quoted in Practical Law The Journal (December 1, 2013)
"Covered Funds Aspects of the Volcker Rule - Frequently Asked Questions," Goodwin Procter LLP (December 1, 2013)
"What Banks and Trust Companies Need to Know About the SEC’s New Municipal Advisor Rules," JD Supra Business Advisor (November 26, 2013)
"Impact of the Volcker rule and related Dodd-Frank Act requirements on fund sponsors affiliated with non-US banking organisations," Butterworths Journal of International Banking and Financial Law (April 1, 2013)
"Savings and Loan Holding Companies: Business Activities and Regulation," PLC Finance (February 1, 2013)
"Strengthening The Nation's Banks," New York Law Journal (January 10, 2011)
"Financial Services Reform Could Impact Real Estate Investors and Asset Managers," PREA Quarterly (January 1, 2010)