Duane Pozza, Who Led FTC’s Financial Technology Strategy, Joins Wiley Rein’s TMT Practice

November 26, 2018

Washington, DC — Wiley Rein LLP announced today that Duane C. Pozza, former Assistant Director in the Division of Financial Practices at the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Bureau of Consumer Protection, has joined the firm’s preeminent Telecom, Media & Technology (TMT) Practice as a partner. A leading lawyer with respect to technological innovation, consumer protection, and enforcement, Mr. Pozza will advise clients on key legal issues, advocacy positions, and regulatory compliance in such areas as blockchain, privacy and security, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics, mobile payments, and fintech lending.

“Duane brings an impressive combination of private and government experience in emerging technologies,” said Managing Partner Peter D. Shields. “His mastery of compliance, regulations, and policy – along with his private-practice litigation experience – will help clients stay ahead of the curve in this fast-moving area.”

“It is my pleasure to welcome Duane to our team,” said Kathleen A. Kirby, co-chair of Wiley Rein’s TMT Practice. “His considerable knowledge of a range of fintech and related technology sectors, and substantive experience in financial regulation, privacy, security, and consumer law, are an ideal complement to our multidisciplinary communications practice. He will be a great asset and we look forward to working with him.”

At the FTC, Mr. Pozza was the go-to-attorney for financial technology matters and led strategy and enforcement on legal issues related to fintech. He led multiple agency initiatives on cutting-edge technologies including blockchain, AI, mobile payments, and other fintech innovations, focusing on issues including data security, privacy, fraud, and financial regulation. He also led and supervised numerous enforcement actions involving a range of consumer protection issues on technology platforms.

Mr. Pozza is a recognized leader in the field, having participated in over two dozen panels on financial technology and other innovations in recent years – often before industry audiences. He also has led agency conferences for online marketplace lending, peer-to-peer payments, AI, cryptocurrencies, and blockchain. In 2010, he was named one of “40 Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40” by the National LGBT Bar Association. At the FTC, he received the Bureau Director’s Award and multiple Commission team awards.

Prior to joining the FTC, Duane was a partner at an Am Law 100 law firm, and served as a law clerk for the Honorable Roslyn O. Silver of the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. He graduated with distinction from Stanford Law School where he was submission editor for the Stanford Technology Law Review. He received his B.A. with honors from the University of Texas at Austin, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. 

Wiley Rein’s TMT Practice is the largest in the country, with more than 60 attorneys and engineers engaged full time in matters that encompass virtually all aspects of the federal, state, and international laws governing the telecommunications, media, and technology industries. The team is committed to understanding the implications of technology and industry changes for clients, as evidenced by a team of engineers who are integrated into our legal and policy capabilities. In addition, our TMT attorneys are actively engaged in FTC rulemakings, policy, investigations, and enforcement proceedings.