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Joseph A. Leonard, Jr., formerly Massachusetts Deputy Commissioner of Banks and General Counsel to the Massachusetts Division of Banks, has joined the law firm of Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP as Senior of Counsel in its Banking and Financial Services practice, the law firm announced today.

In his role at Nutter, Leonard will work with banks, credit unions, mortgage companies, and other licensees regulated by the Division of Banks that are clients of Nutter’s Banking and Financial Services practice. “Joe brings a Division of Banks insider’s perspective to our banking practice that will be valuable to our clients,” said Kenneth F. Ehrlich, co-leader of the Banking and Financial Services practice group.

“Across seven Commissioners, Joe has been a key player in the Division’s decision-making, including its regulation, supervision and examination functions. Joe’s knowledge of Massachusetts law and his insights will be useful in helping us fashion more creative and efficient solutions for our clients in transactional, governance, compliance and enforcement matters,” said practice co-leader Michael K. Krebs.

Leonard served for more than 25 years as Deputy Commissioner of Banks and General Counsel to the Massachusetts Division of Banks and Clerk of the Commonwealth’s Board of Bank Incorporation, which is responsible for bank holding company transactions and the chartering of new banks. His duties as General Counsel included leading the Division’s Legal Affairs and Bank Structure Section which had responsibility for reviewing, among other transactions, mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations and conversions, issuing opinions of the Division and monitoring legislative matters. As Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel, Leonard worked closely with the Commissioner of Banks on a wide range of strategic, operational, legal and regulatory matters. He joined the Division in 1984 as the First Deputy Commissioner of Banks.

Before joining the Division of Banks, Leonard was the Research Director for the Massachusetts Legislature’s Joint Committee on Banks and Banking. He has taught banking law at Suffolk University Law School, where he served as a member of the adjunct faculty for six years. A graduate of Boston Latin School, Leonard received a B.A. from Boston College and his J.D. from Suffolk University Law School.

About Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP
Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP, founded in 1879, is a leading Boston law firm with more than 150 lawyers. Nutter’s Banking and Financial Services practice group is ranked among the top banking practices in the nation in Chambers USA and the U.S. News & World Report “Best Law Firms” survey. Clients rely on the firm’s knowledge of the banking market and expertise in corporate, regulatory, real estate, litigation, intellectual property and other disciplines to address a wide range of clients’ needs.