Practice Focus

Automotive and Personal Property Finance and Leasing

INSIGHTS

July 31, 2026

Minnesota Rejects “Not Collecting for Another” Argument

Clayton C. Swears

Clayton C. Swears

June 30, 2026

The Hudson Cook Usury Monitor – A Publication of Recent Usury and Finance Charge Cases – Spring 2026

Clayton C. Swears

Clayton C. Swears

April 30, 2026

The Hudson Cook Usury Monitor – A Publication of Recent Usury and Finance Charge Cases – Winter 2025

Clayton C. Swears

Clayton C. Swears

February 27, 2026

New York Criminal Usury as a Claim in Bankruptcy

Clayton C. Swears

Clayton C. Swears

January 30, 2026

The Hudson Cook Usury Monitor – A Publication of Recent Usury and Finance Charge Cases – Fall 2025

Clayton C. Swears

Clayton C. Swears

September 30, 2025

The Hudson Cook Usury Monitor – A Publication of Recent Usury and Finance Charge Cases – Summer 2025

Clayton C. Swears

Clayton C. Swears

August 29, 2025

Contractor Licensing Issue Voids Construction Loan in Georgia

Clayton C. Swears

Clayton C. Swears

July 02, 2025

Is Purchasing Debt Without a License an Unlawful Collection Activity?

Clayton C. Swears

Clayton C. Swears

July 02, 2025

Does the Recent Earned Wage Access Law Change the Regulatory Environment in Arkansas?

Clayton C. Swears

Clayton C. Swears

July 24, 2024

State Licensing Pitfalls Mortgage Servicers Must Beware

Clayton C. Swears

Clayton C. Swears

May 31, 2024

Company Violates Mortgage Law by Holding Servicing Rights without License

Clayton C. Swears

Clayton C. Swears

November 30, 2023

Florida Regulator Clarifies Money Transmitter Licensing Exemptions (or lack thereof)

Clayton C. Swears

Clayton C. Swears

October 02, 2023

Are Your Employees Taking Loan Applications? The Reach and Consequence of Mortgage Loan Originator Licenses

Clayton C. Swears

Clayton C. Swears

November 30, 2020

Change in Control Considerations for Investments in Licensed Financial Services Companies

Clayton C. Swears

Clayton C. Swears

Education

  • The University of Maryland School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, May 2006
  • Washington College, B.A. in Business Management, summa cum laude, First Honor Graduate, May 2003

Admissions

  • District of Columbia, 2010
  • Maryland, 2006
  • Member, American Bar Association, Section on Business Law
  • Member, Maryland State Bar Association
  • Member, District of Columbia Bar
  • “State Licensing Pitfalls Mortgage Servicers Must Beware,” JD Supra, July 2024.
  • “Company Violates Mortgage Law by Holding Servicing Rights without License,” JD Supra, June 2024.
  • “Arkansas Limits Use of License Plate Readers for Repossession,” JD Supra, March 2024.
  • “Florida Regulator Clarifies Money Transmitter Licensing Exemptions (or lack thereof),” JD Supra, December 2023.
  • “Are Your Employees Taking Loan Applications? The Reach and Consequence of Mortgage Loan Originator Licenses,” JD Supra, October 2023.
  • “Change in Control Considerations for Investments in Licensed Financial Services Companies,” JD Supra, December 2020.