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MortgagePoint » Your Trusted Source for Mortgage Banking and Servicing News 22 September 2025 M O V E R S & S H A K E R S Newton began her career as a CPA and auditor after earning her undergrad- uate degree in Accounting from George- town University. She received her J.D. from Cornell Law School and a French law degree from the Université de Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne. Her public service includes clerking at the International Criminal Court and testifying before Congress on key legal and policy issues. "I am excited to join NAR at such a pivotal moment for the organization and the real estate industry at large. I look forward to supporting our members, protecting the integrity of the profession, and ensuring NAR remains a strong, trusted advocate for property rights and housing access," Newton said. Attorneys BRODY | GAPP LLP WELCOMES NEW FOUNDING PARTNER Brody | Gapp LLP, a national law firm serving clients in mortgage banking litigation, regulatory compliance, and strategic risk manage- ment, has appointed Scott Harkless as a Founding Partner. The addition reunites Harkless with Managing Partner James Brody, more than two decades after their initial collaboration as litigation associates at the nationally recognized firm McCormick Barstow. Harkless brings more than 20 years of executive leadership and litigation background, having held senior roles at renowned financial institutions, includ- ing Countrywide Home Loans, Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, American Ad- visors Group, Open Mortgage, Cardinal Financial, and most recently, OneTrust Home Loans. His professional history uniquely equips him to advise Brody | Gapp's clients effectively on complex issues surrounding reverse mortgage lending, strategic alliances, real estate finance, and regulatory compliance. "Scott brings visionary thinking and operational rigor to every engage- ment," stated James Brody, Managing Partner. "His experience is closely aligned with our commitment to pro- viding innovative, proactive solutions that help clients effectively navigate complex regulatory landscapes and achieve competitive advantages." At Brody | Gapp, Harkless will focus on creating strategic legal service packages, including solutions tailored for reverse mortgage clients and innovative approaches for engaging real estate busi- ness through non-traditional product and licensing models. His role reinforces the firm's capabilities in both traditional legal counsel and forward-thinking strategic advisory services. GREENBERG TRAURIG ADDS FORMER CFPB SENIOR COUNSEL Global law firm Greenberg Traurig LLP has strengthened its Financial Regulatory & Compliance Practice with the addition of Noah N. Gillespie as Of Counsel in the firm's Washington, D.C. office. Gillespie joins the firm from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), where he served as Senior Counsel in the Office of Law & Policy, bringing extensive regulatory expertise and insight into federal consumer financial protection laws. Gillespie helps financial institu- tions, payment processors, money services businesses, and fintech compa- nies navigate complex regulatory land- scapes to bring innovative consumer financial products and services to mar- ket. He provides practical counsel on federal and state consumer compliance, licensing, and regulatory requirements across banking, payments, and digital finance sectors, translating complex statutory and regulatory requirements into actionable operational guidance. "Noah's addition continues to strengthen our ability to help clients navigate an evolving and increasingly complex regulatory environment," said Marina Olman-Pal, Co-Chair of the firm's Financial Regulatory & Compli- ance Practice. "His unique perspective from the CFPB, combined with his practical approach to compliance chal- lenges, aligns with our strategic vision of providing clients with practical and comprehensive regulatory guidance that enables clients to innovate and respond to market demand." Drawing on his experience at the CFPB, where he addressed cutting-edge legal issues alongside the agency's gener- al counsel, Gillespie provides insight into rulemaking and enforcement activities, including in relation to the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, Truth-in-Lending Act (TILA), Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, and Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). He has a particular focus on emerging industries including cryptocurrency integration, cybersecurity standards, and digital payment products. FORMER HUD ACTING GENERAL COUNSEL LAUNCHES KLUBES LAW GROUP Benjamin B. Klubes, former Acting General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and a longtime BigLaw partner, has launched Klubes Law Group (KLG), a boutique firm offering high-impact, conf lict-free advocacy in high-stakes, often adversarial matters involving govern- ment enforcement and litigation. Klubes, a veteran litigator, is a former Managing Partner at Buckley LLP, and Partner at Skadden, most recently serving as acting general counsel at the Depart- ment of Housing & Urban Development, Klubes brings 35 years of experience in criminal and civil trials, appeals, grand jury and civil enforcement investigations, and Congressional hearings.