John Socknat Named Managing Partner of Ballard Spahr's Washington, D.C. Office

John Socknat—a financial services attorney with more than 25 years of experience advising clients in the mortgage and consumer financial services industries—has been named Managing Partner for Ballard Spahr’s Washington, D.C., office, firm Chair Mark Stewart announced today.

Mr. Socknat is the co-leader of Ballard Spahr's Mortgage Banking Group. He devotes his practice to counseling financial services institutions on compliance and licensing matters under state and federal law; preparing them for examinations and audits by state and federal regulators, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); and defending them in enforcement actions. Mr. Socknat’s clients include mortgage lenders and servicers, financial institutions, consumer finance companies, Fintech companies, and outsource service providers, among others.

“I am honored to take a position of leadership for Ballard Spahr’s D.C. office,” Mr. Socknat said. “It was our first location outside of Philadelphia, and the catalyst for our steady national expansion. It has been a privilege to work with the attorneys we have in D.C., and I am looking forward to leveraging the incredible foundation built by my predecessors to continue to grow the D.C. office consistent with our strategic plan.”

Mr. Socknat succeeds Joseph A. Fanone, a distinguished public finance attorney who has guided clients through the financing of many of the largest and most visible infrastructure and economic development projects in the region. Mr. Fanone will remain at the firm and return to full-time management of his practice.

“During eight years leading our Washington office, Joe has overseen a doubling of its size and an expansion of its capabilities in Consumer Financial Services, Media and Entertainment Law, and federal government relations practices. The firm owes him an enormous debt of gratitude,” Mr. Stewart said. “John has served as the office’s marketing partner for several years and is excited to steer its growth and development.”

Ballard Spahr’s Washington, D.C., office is home to more than 85 attorneys who handle issues facing regulated industries and represent clients across the country in matters involving energy and project finance, public finance and public-private partnerships, real estate, media law, mortgage banking, consumer financial services, government relations and federal lobbying, and tax.