Overview
Gavin brings two decades of in-depth product knowledge from the mutual fund industry plus deep experience litigating claims related to private placements, Reg-D alternative investments, variable annuities and insurance products.
Prior to his legal career, Gavin worked as senior vice president at Financial Research Corporation and vice president at Scudder Investments in Boston. He also co-founded and chaired the Industry Statistics Committee of the Investment Company Institute.
FINRA Arbitration, Regulatory Advocacy & Compliance Consulting
Gavin has defended dozens of broker-dealers and registered representatives against due diligence, unsuitability, fiduciary duty, failure to supervise, breach of contract, negligence, churning and fraud claims related to the sale of alternative products, non-traded REITS, mutual funds, ETFs, options and VAs.
He also defends brokers and advisors in regulatory investigations before both the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and state securities regulators, consults with brokerage compliance officers regarding U-4, U-5 and Form BD filing requirements, and handles regulatory expungements for broker CRD records.
Insurance Company & Insurance Agent Defense
Gavin defends insurance companies and agents against unsuitability, fiduciary duty, breach of contract, negligent supervision, negligence, churning and fraud claims related to the sale of fixed and variable insurance and annuity products. He also represents insurance agents before state insurance and security regulators. Gavin advises insurance companies on day-to-day operational issues and handles interpleader filings to resolve disputed claims.
Defending Banks Against Lender Liability Claims
Gavin has successfully defended some of the largest financial institutions in the country against consumer claims under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Real Estate Procedures Act, Truth in Lending Act, National Housing Act and state common law claims such as fraud, breach of contract and negligence. He has extensive experience defending mortgage foreclosure counterclaims and claims of unfair debt collection practices in consumer credit collection matters.
Non-Financial Business Litigation
Gavin handles a wide variety of interbusiness disputes for non-financial companies, representing both defendants and plaintiffs, with particular emphasis on non-compete agreements and misappropriation of trade secrets.
Personal Interests
Gavin is an enthusiastic runner who has completed a dozen half-marathons in recent years. He also has a great interest in the history, geography and archaeology of Israel.
Services & Industries
Credentials
Bar Admissions
Iowa
Court Admissions
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa
Clerkships
Iowa Supreme Court, Hon. Edward M. Mansfield, 2011-2012
Education
Harvard University
B.A.
Drake University Law School
J.D. with highest honors, Order of the Coif, Drake Law Review (managing editor)
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
M.Div. and M.A. summa cum laude
Insights & Events
Other Perspectives
- Post-Award Proceeding and Appeals
Assisted in drafting and editing Chapter 14 of The Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Guide, 2014 - Commencing a Civil Action in Iowa
Practical Law Guide - Motivation, Causation and Hate Crime Sentence Enhancement: A Cautious Approach to Mind Reading and Incarceration
Drake Law Review 59:1
Leadership & Community
Pro Bono
- Spanish translator and counsel for numerous Children on the Border refugees
- Represent family seeking asylum from religious persecution in Russia
- Secure social security death benefits for an invalid senior
- Establish guardianship for adult with severe disability
- Iowa Health & Law Project with Iowa Legal Aid
Honors
-
Faegre Baker Daniels — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2014-18