About L.

Rick Fischer’s practice focuses on retail financial services, privacy, and data security. For over 40 years, he has advised banks, retailers, insurers, technology and other companies throughout the United States on the full range of financial services and payment system issues. His practice has a special emphasis on privacy, data security, e-commerce, technology, and financial services joint ventures, as well as compliance and enforcement matters involving the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission. Mr. Fischer has worked closely with clients on every major legislative and regulatory initiative affecting financial services and payment systems since the mid 1970's. He also has been successful in obtaining important regulatory clarifications and changes on many retail banking and consumer lending issues. Mr. Fischer, a recognized expert on Washington legislative and regulatory issues, also serves as Washington counsel for Visa. Chambers USA 2018 recognizes Mr. Fischer as a ”star individual“ and Chambers has noted that he is ”seen as ‘the dean in this space’ by commentators in the consumer finance regulatory arena.“ He is also recognized by Chambers Global 2018, Legal 500 US 2018, Best Lawyers in America 2019, IFLR1000 2013, and Who’s Who Legal: Banking 2018. Best Lawyers named Mr. Fischer ”Lawyer of the Year“ for Washington, D.C. Financial Services Regulation Law in 2013 and 2018 and in 2011, 2013, and 2015, the Washingtonian magazine named him one of Washington, D.C.'s elite lawyers. Mr. Fischer was also honored by Thomson Reuters Accelus with its 2012 international Outstanding Long Term Service to the Compliance Industry Award. While attending the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, Mr. Fischer served on the editorial board of the Hastings Law Journal and was elected to the Order of the Coif.

Practice Areas

Education

• University of San Francisco, BA

Bar Admissions

• District of Columbia, The District of Columbia Bar
• California, The State Bar of California

Languages