Baker Donelson has added Kimberly Lopez as a shareholder in the Firm's Orlando office and a member of its Financial Services Litigation & Compliance Group. She joins the Firm with nearly two decades of experience representing financial institutions and businesses in complex litigation and regulatory matters.
Ms. Lopez focuses her practice on commercial litigation, financial services litigation, consumer protection litigation, regulatory disputes, commercial loan enforcement, secured financing litigation, and creditor's rights matters. She regularly represents banks, credit unions, lenders, asset managers, and other financial institutions in state and federal courts nationwide. Her experience also includes advising clients in the hospitality, energy, and government contracting sectors on complex business disputes and risk management issues.
A seasoned trial and litigation attorney, Ms. Lopez has represented clients in matters involving the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act, and Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. She has successfully handled high-value commercial disputes, regulatory and consumer claims, loan enforcement actions, and asset recovery matters for financial institutions throughout the country.
Lori H. Patterson, chair of Baker Donelson's Financial Services Litigation & Compliance Group, noted, "Kimberly's experience serving banks and credit unions complements the capabilities of our Financial Services Litigation & Compliance Group. Her addition further enhances the Firm's ability to support financial institutions through the entire regulatory lifecycle, from proactive compliance and regulatory guidance to supervisory examinations, enforcement proceedings, consumer protection claims, and complex litigation."
Ms. Lopez's arrival further strengthens Baker Donelson's financial services platform in Florida and supports the Firm's continued strategic growth across the state. In addition to expanding the depth of the Orlando office's litigation bench, she brings a significant credit union practice and long-standing relationships within the financial services industry, creating opportunities to further serve clients across Baker Donelson's footprint.
"Kimberly's practice aligns closely with areas where our clients continue to face increasing litigation, regulatory, and compliance challenges," said Zachary J. Bancroft, Orlando office managing shareholder. "She has built a strong national financial services practice, and her addition supports our continued growth in Orlando and throughout Florida."
Ms. Lopez joins from Akerman LLP, where she practiced for 18 years and developed a national financial services litigation practice. She has served as trusted counsel to financial institutions in complex commercial litigation, class actions, creditor rights matters, and regulatory disputes. She also advises clients on business agreements and disputes involving closely held companies and other business entities. In addition, she held several leadership roles at her prior firm, including co-chair of its Hispanic/Latino Bridge Network and a member of its Unity and Inclusion Committee.
"Baker Donelson's strong culture and nationally recognized financial services platform create an environment where I can continue to expand my practice while helping clients address increasingly complex litigation and regulatory issues," said Ms. Lopez. "I look forward to working alongside colleagues across the Firm to serve financial institutions and businesses throughout Florida and across the country."
Ms. Lopez earned her J.D. from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where she served as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Technology Law and Policy and assistant managing editor of the Entertainment Law Review. She also earned her M.A. and B.S. from the University of Florida. Ms. Lopez is admitted to practice in Florida and before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, as well as the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida. She is fluent in Spanish.
Ms. Lopez is active in numerous professional and community organizations. Her leadership experience includes service as past president of the Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida, current secretary of the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando, programming and research chair of the Hispanic National Bar Association's Latina Commission, and past president of the University of Florida Association of Hispanic Alumni. She is also a fellow of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity.
Her professional recognition includes selection to The Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation, recognition by the Daily Business Review Florida Legal Awards in the Diversity and Inclusion: Individual category, and inclusion among Super Lawyers' Florida Rising Stars. She is also a frequent speaker on litigation and leadership topics through the Hispanic National Bar Association and other organizations.