News Release
McGlinchey Elects 4 Members to Policy Committee
Read Time: 3 minsMcGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce the election of four Members (Partners) to the firm’s executive Policy Committee:
- Jeff Barringer (Albany)
- Megan Ben’Ary (Washington, DC)
- Jean-Paul (J-P) Perrault (Baton Rouge)
- Robert Savoie (Cleveland)
These four Members will serve two- or three-year terms which began on April 1, 2024. It is the first term on the committee for Jeff, Megan, and J-P. The Policy Committee has ten equity members who represent diversity in career stages and tenure with the firm, from a cross-section of McGlinchey’s practice and industry groups across its national footprint. Each of them also serves in a leadership role as a practice leader or office managing member.
“These four leaders will serve us well on the Policy Committee, as we drive our firm and the practice of law forward in service of our clients,” said Michael Ferachi, Managing Member. “An important component of McGlinchey’s leadership and succession plan involves strategically injecting momentum and regular ‘positive disruption’ into our governing positions across practices, offices, committees, and affinity groups. This positions us not only involve and interface with a broader spectrum of our people across the firm; it also affords us a perspective on what currently excites our people about McGlinchey, enabling us to capture and build on that enthusiasm.”
McGlinchey updated its governance structure in 2020. In accordance with the #McGlincheyForward initiative and with Midsize Mansfield certification, which McGlinchey achieved in 2023 (and is currently seeking recertification), McGlinchey has embedded transparency into its advancement processes through written job descriptions for and clearly defined pathways to leadership roles.
Jeff Barringer advises financial institutions, mortgage companies, sales finance companies, and other providers of consumer financial services on compliance with state and federal law. He has counseled clients regarding issues relevant to mortgage lending, mortgage servicing, manufactured housing finance, automobile finance, sales finance, secured and unsecured lending, commercial lending, real estate brokerage, and money services businesses. Jeff counsels clients regarding licensing, usury restrictions, preemption, and other regulatory compliance matters. He also advises clients regarding the scope and requirements of the New York Department of Financial Services’ cybersecurity regulations.
Jeff was recognized as “Up and Coming” by Chambers USA/ Nationwide in Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance) 2023. He earned a J.D. summa cum laude from Albany Law School and a B.A. magna cum laude from Hartwick College. Licensed to practice in New York, Jeff is the Office Managing Member of the firm’s Albany office.
Megan Starace Ben’Ary represents clients in federal and state court, at both the trial and appellate levels. Megan’s practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and consumer financial services litigation. Megan has extensive experience within the consumer credit, mortgage, and debt collection industries, having developed proficiency in litigating individual and class action matters. Megan also has significant experience litigating individual and class action matters involving employment background screening practices under the FCRA.
Megan has been recognized by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers in Business Litigation since 2015, by Virginia Super Lawyers in Business Litigation since 2014, and was recognized in Virginia Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” from 2009–2014. Megan holds a B.A. and J.D. from Villanova University and its School of Law. She is the Office Managing Member of the firm’s Washington, DC office and is admitted to the bar in Virginia and the District of Columbia.
Jean-Paul “J-P” Perrault advises clients throughout the United States on general business, corporate, and commercial issues as well as insurance regulation and compliance matters. He represents clients in all aspects of corporate structure, formation, and governance, including financing, joint ventures, asset and stock sales/acquisitions, and divestitures and mergers. He works closely with businesses in the automobile finance sector.
A dedicated community servant, J-P has received numerous local business and non-profit service recognitions, including the Margaret Neely Award recipient for service to The Emerge Center. He is also recognized by Chambers USA in Louisiana Corporate/M&A for 2022 and 2023 and by The Best Lawyers in America® in Insurance Law since 2016, including being named “Lawyer of the Year,” in Insurance Law for Baton Rouge in 2024. J-P earned a J.D. and M.B.A, both cum laude, from Loyola University New Orleans and its College of Law and a B.S. from Louisiana State University. J-P is Licensed in Louisiana and he chairs the firm’s Corporate and Real Estate practice group.
Robert Savoie helps financial technology companies (FinTechs) and other financial institutions attain and maintain regulatory compliance with the ever-changing laws and rules governing consumer financial services so they can avoid pitfalls and expand operations. Robert has built a nationally recognized reputation among clients and peers alike for his deep knowledge and skillful representation of companies in the FinTech space.
Robert is Chambers band-ranked in two practice areas nationwide (FinTech Legal: Payments & Lending and Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance Compliance) — one of only 5 U.S. lawyers nationally recognized in both areas. Robert’s status as a preeminent legal voice in this specialized industry is substantiated in the FinTech guide by his Band 1 ranking, the highest ranking available, which includes only 4 attorneys nationwide. Robert holds a J.D. from University of Notre Dame Law School and he graduated cum laude with a B.B.A. from University of Mississippi. Licensed in Louisiana and Ohio, Robert leads McGlinchey’s national FinTech practice.