Steven D. Merriman
Steve helps business and technical innovators identify growth opportunities, safeguard their value and reputation, and negotiate the complexities of financial services laws and regulations.
Steve Merriman is a fintech compliance lawyer, regulatory advocate, and product strategist. He works with growth-stage startups, venture capital (VC)-backed fintechs, blockchain firms, and Fortune 50 companies alike. Steve cultivates responsible financial innovation through compliance for digital asset exchanges, digital wallet providers, non-fungible token platforms, payment processors, and online sports books and casinos, as well as brands seeking to expand into fintech.
A core member of the firm’s Chambers USA-ranked Fintech industry group, Steve handles financial product development and governance strategy, compliance program frameworking and design, development partner evaluation and acquisition due diligence, domestic and international regulatory strategy and licensing, and advocacy and enforcement defense. He is a certified anti-money laundering specialist (CAMS) through the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS).
Steve’s advising and litigation experience spans rapidly evolving legal issues such as anti-money laundering, economic sanctions, data privacy and security, unclaimed property, and state money transmitter licensing. It covers laws such as the Bank Secrecy Act, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, New York Financial Services Regulation Part 500, and the Electronic Communications Privacy Act.
Steve is known for his ability to understand and apply the law to underlying technologies, then translate for C-suites and corporate stakeholders, judges and juries, and regulators on matters involving risk management and growth, litigation, and regulatory enforcement.
Education & Credentials
Education
- Gonzaga University School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, Associate Editor, Gonzaga University Law Review, 2011
- Whitworth University, B.A., Psychology, cum laude, 2008
Bar and Court Admissions
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Washington
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Related Employment
- Spokane County Prosecutor's Office, Spokane, WA, Extern, 2011
- Perkins Coie LLP, Seattle, WA, Summer Associate, 2010
- Keller Rohrback LLP, Seattle, WA, Summer Associate, 2009
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, Judicial Extern for The Hon. Robert H. Whaley, 2009
- Flynn, Merriman, McKennon, PS, Kennewick, WA, Legal Assistant, 2008
Professional Recognition
Recognized in The Legal 500, 2022
Recognized by Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch for Antitrust Law; Commercial Litigation Law, 2021-2025
Impact
Professional Leadership
- Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) through the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS)
Community Involvement
- Center for Justice, Spokane, WA, Community Advocate; Project Intern, 2008
