Matthew Garfinkle
About Matthew Garfinkle
Matthew Garfinkle is the Associate General Counsel and Senior Director at Ally, with extensive experience in banking, financial services, and employment law.
Current Position at Ally
Matthew Garfinkle currently serves as the Associate General Counsel, Senior Director at Ally, a position he has held since 2020. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, he advises C-Suite, Executive, and Senior leadership on various aspects of the business, including digital, marketing, customer care, and call center operations. Additionally, he oversees litigation, monitors changing laws, rules, and regulations, and provides responses to regulatory changes affecting the company. His responsibilities also include assisting the company with supply chain and sourcing contracts.
Previous Experience at Bank of America
Before joining Ally, Matthew Garfinkle worked at Bank of America as Assistant General Counsel & Senior Vice President from 2018 to 2020. In this role, he was based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and engaged in legal and regulatory matters, handling a diverse range of litigated cases related to banking operations. This position built on his extensive experience in banking and financial services law.
Partner at Severson & Werson
Matthew Garfinkle spent 7 years at Severson & Werson, from 2011 to 2018, serving as a Partner in Irvine, California. During this period, he specialized in civil litigation with a focus on banking, financial services, and employment law. His role involved managing a team of attorneys and handling various litigated bank operations cases.
Early Career at Downey Brand LLP
In the initial phase of his career, Matthew Garfinkle worked as an Associate Attorney at Downey Brand LLP from 2009 to 2011 in Sacramento, California. While at Downey Brand, he built a solid foundation in legal practice, gaining experience that would later support his transition to more senior roles.
Educational Background
Matthew Garfinkle earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, graduating Cum Laude, from the University of California, College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings). He also holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science from the University of California, Irvine. His education provided a strong foundation in both law and political science, contributing to his extensive legal expertise.
Legal Expertise and Specializations
Matthew Garfinkle has comprehensive knowledge of various laws and regulations, including the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Articles 3, 4, and 4A, and the Electronic Funds Transfer Act (EFTA)/Regulation E. His expertise extends to advising companies on regulatory inquiries and exams, overseeing litigation, and assisting with supply chain and sourcing contracts. His previous specialization in civil litigation, focusing on banking, financial services, and employment law, has proven valuable in his in-house counsel roles.