#070: Bradford Hardin - Banking & FinTech Services Lawyer

In this episode I speak with Bradford Hardin who chairs Davis Wright Tremaine’s national banking and financial services practice where he frequently supports banks, credit unions, and innovative FinTech companies through high-risk examinations and enforcement investigations at the state and federal levels. Bradford also advises on regulatory compliance and new product development. In his career, he has worked with large banks and fast-moving challengers alike in developing innovative new products, overcoming regulatory barriers, and getting to market. Bradford started his career as a Law Clerk in the Middle District of Alabama and then worked at WilmerHale in its DC office before moving to Davis Wright Tremaine. He is a graduate of the University of South Alabama and the University of Alabama Law School. In our conversation we discuss his path from litigation to a counseling, investigations, and regulatory practice; what he does in his role as a banking lawyer (and law firm practice leader); how he broke into the DC market from his start in Alabama (and how others can make the move to new legal markets); the importance of being autodidactic and constantly learning as a junior attorney; his approach to providing exceptional client service that goes beyond just being responsive; finding your niche in the law; how to stay in the law by being willing to pivot if your first job is not the perfect fit; and the importance of a team and sticking to your sweet spot.  If you enjoy this episode, please make sure to sign up for future episodes at www.howilawyer.com or to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.  This episode is sponsored, edited, and engineered by LawPods, a professional podcast production company for busy attorneys.