Joseph P. Vitale

Joseph Vitale leads our Bank Regulatory Practice, advising clients on regulatory matters and corporate financial transactions.

Banks and other regulated financial institutions turn to Joseph with respect to chartering/licensing; regulatory compliance; mergers, acquisitions, and reorganizations; financial transactions; formal and informal regulatory actions; litigations and claims; and legislative and regulatory developments. Joseph also advises parties, including private investment funds, seeking to invest in or acquire banks or other licensed financial service providers. 

Clients and peers acknowledge Joseph as one of the nation’s leading lawyers for both financial regulatory compliance and financial institution M&A work. He is consistently included in leading directories and client-survey publications such as Chambers Global, Chambers USA, IFLR1000, The Legal 500 US, and New York Super Lawyers. Chambers Global reported that clients say he “is extremely responsive and is excellent at distilling complex banking rules and regulations in understandable and practical terms.” Chambers USA indicated that clients give Joseph “strong reviews for his broad regulatory practice,” in particular his “knowledge of the regulatory environment” and “substantive technical knowledge and good advocacy skills.” Others claim that “his advice is really valuable” and “stands the test of time.” 

The Legal 500 US cited clients praising Joseph for his “pragmatic and creative approach” and “ability to explain complex matters in plain English.” They also noted he has a “top-class understanding of the intersection between the private equity and banking industries,” and he is “particularly active ensuring Volcker rule compliance for private equity sponsors that invest in banks and vice versa."

Joseph is highly regarded as a thought leader in the financial regulatory and financial institutions markets. Over the last couple of years alone, he has authored or contributed to dozens of alerts and articles including those published in Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance, Ethical Boardroom, The Banking Law Journal, Activist Insight, The Hedge Fund Law Journal, and American Banker. He also has frequently spoken on related issues, including repeatedly at events sponsored by the American Bar Association, the Financial Markets Association, the Institute of International Bankers, Mergermarket, Money 2020, and the Practising Law Institute.

Joseph serves as co-chair of the M&A Subcommittee of the Banking Law Committee of the American Bar Association and as a member of the Board of Advisors for the Center for Banking and Finance, UNC School of Law.

Before joining Fried Frank, Joseph was a partner at another international law firm.