Education

J.D., Vanderbilt University Law School, 1990.  Executive Articles Editor, Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law.

B.A., cum laude, Rhodes College, 1987.  Phi Beta Kappa; Mortar Board Society;
Omicron Delta Kappa.

Bar Memberships

Texas

Professional
History

Harris Law Firm PC - Shareholder,
2008 - present.

Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP - Partner, 2006-2008.

Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP (formerly Liddell Sapp Zivley Hill & LaBoon LLP)  -
Partner, 1998-2006.  Associate, 1990-1997.

T. Alan Harris                 

Shareholder
 
E-mail:    alan.harris@harrislawusa.com
Direct:    713.781.1156
Fax:        713.781.4529

T. Alan Harris spent nearly 18 years with large law firms in Houston before forming Harris Law Firm PC in 2008.  Alan’s practice focuses exclusively on regulatory and corporate matters for banks, thrifts, related financial institutions, and their investors.  He counsels clients on corporate structuring and governance, new product offerings, consumer disclosures, and numerous regulatory and compliance issues affecting their daily operations. 

Alan’s clients range from small community banks to regional institutions to multinational conglomerates.  Matters on which Alan spends most of his time include:

• Formations, reorganizations, capital raising, and mergers and acquisitions for depository institutions and their holding companies.
• Lending limits and transactions involving insiders and affiliates.
• Preparation of form agreements for treasury management services, including ACH, funds transfer, and remote deposit capture (RDC).
• Privacy, information sharing, and affiliate marketing issues under GLBA and FCRA.
• USA PATRIOT Act and OFAC compliance.
• Marketing of insurance and securities to bank customers.
• Electronic payment s ystems and related new product offerings.
• RESPA “anti-kickback” rules affecting promotion of affiliated businesses.
• Deposit sweep programs, including “repo” sweeps and offshore (Eurocurrency) accounts.
• Cross-border banking activities and U.S. regulation of foreign banks.
• Change in Bank Control Act and Bank Holding Company Act “control” issues.
• Structuring and regulatory issues for private equity funds and other institutional investors acquiring interests in depository institutions and their holding companies.
• Examination and enforcement issues and reporting to regulators.
• Licensing and regulation of specialty financial institutions such as trust companies, insurance agencies, title companies, and money services businesses.

Alan is a member of the Houston Bar Association, the Texas Association of Bank Counsel, and the Leadership Division of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas. 

Alan and his wife Carrie have three children and they are active in Second Baptist Church in Houston.

Selected Publications

“Untangling the New Rules for Affiliate Marketing,” ABA Bank Marketing (April 2008).

“Tips for a Winning Sweepstakes Promotion,” Bank Regulatory Perspectives (September 2007).

“Con artists broaden horizons with e-mail scams beyond '419',” Houston Business Journal  (August 3, 2007).

“Got RDC?   Tips for Addressing Remote Capture Risks,” Bank Regulatory Perspectives (May 2007).

Co-Author, "New Rules on Debt Cancellation Contracts Offer More Certainty to Banks and Customers," On Point: Law & Financial Institutions Quarterly,  15.1 (2003).

"Private Trust Companies Debut in Texas," Texas Banking (1999).

"Making Sense of Deposit Accounts, "On Point: Law & Financial Institutions Quarterly, 7.1 (1995).

"Financial Services in Mexico - Profiting from NAFTA Benefits," How to Profit Under NAFTA, Business & Legal Reports (1995).