The Collingwood Group and Patton Boggs Form Strategic Alliance

The Collingwood Group LLC has announced the formation of a partnership with Patton Boggs LLP. The arrangement combines the strength of one of the nation’s premier law firms with one of the top business advisory groups in the financial services industry. Patton Boggs’ expertise on legal, regulatory and policy issues facing the mortgage banking industry will be further enhanced by The Collingwood Group’s ability to assist clients in defining their business goals and identifying ways to strategically implement them. By leveraging the resources of both firms, clients will have access to a more complete solution to their industry-related needs. In working together, Patton Boggs and The Collingwood Group will provide clients with an unprecedented approach to navigating through industry hurdles, on both the legal and operational fronts. Patton Boggs and The Collingwood Group will also collaborate regularly on client-focused written materials, events and media outreach. Patton Boggs’ Mortgage Banking Group, which is led by Partners Richard Andreano, John Socknat and Michael Waldron, will spearhead the teaming arrangement on behalf of the firm and in doing so, will work with The Collingwood Group’s leadership, which includes Joe Murin, former president and CEO of Ginnie Mae and Brian Montgomery, former Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner. Murin and Montgomery both played major roles in the federal government’s efforts to address the nation’s financial crisis and restore stability and liquidity to financial markets, and they remain in the spotlight due to their efforts at The Collingwood Group. “We’re delighted about the formation of this teaming arrangement with Patton Boggs. This collaborative effort represents the first of its kind in the mortgage banking industry, bringing together thought leaders on housing and real estate finance with leading legal minds that specialize in these areas," said Murin. "This collaboration will enable us to bring highly focused expertise to our respective clients that relate to legal and regulatory compliance within the mortgage banking and real estate finance industries." The teaming framework between the two firms will allow both to pursue, wherever appropriate, joint projects where the talents of both firms can be employed to meet potential client needs. Each firm will remain independent of the other. “The Collingwood Group is pleased to be joining forces with a well-regarded firm such as Patton Boggs," said Montgomery. "With Patton Boggs’ legal proficiency and Collingwood’s expertise in both the public and private sector mortgage and financial service industries, there now exists a new and exciting opportunity for both our organizations and most importantly for our clients.”