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Kalin G. Bornemann

I believe that (more often than not) the simplest answer is the right one and I keep my focus on what matters the most. Quotation mark
Kalin G. Bornemann
Kalin G. Bornemann
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About Kalin

Kalin Bornemann is a self-proclaimed bank law nerd. He is head of the firm’s financial services team and focuses primarily on regulatory compliance and operations. That said, Kalin is also involved in many, many other situations that banks run into from time to time—such as handling complaints and alleged violations, drafting customer-facing account agreements, and mergers and acquisitions, among many others. You name it and he has probably worked on it. Kalin works with banks of all sizes, from community and regional banks to national banks (and beyond). He loves the inescapable friction between business and compliance, and works hard to make his clients very happy.

Representative Experience

  • Banking & Financial Institutions Plus
    • Represented banks throughout the western United States in various mergers and acquisitions (including both acquiring banks and acquired banks), including organizations with branches and operations throughout Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, and California.

    • Successfully formed bank holding companies (with regulatory approval from the Federal Reserve) for multiple community banks and closely held family organizations.

    • Regularly negotiates complex vendor contracts in light of the expectations of the various bank regulators, with a focus on financial technology providers, core processors, and other SaaS platforms.

    • Helped facilitate partnerships with emerging fintech companies by addressing matters involving permissible investments, joint ventures, and regulatory notifications and approvals.

    • Always “on call” to answer general operational questions, including those involving deposit accounts, funds transfers (e.g., wires, ACH transactions, etc.), and other common financial products and services.

    • Worked with banks and credit unions to review and revise client-facing documentation to make client onboarding and client service more enjoyable, including review of treasury management documents and forms, deposit account agreements, and similar documentation.

Services

Education

  • J.D., Gonzaga University, magna cum laude, 2013
    • Associate editor, Gonzaga University Law Review
    • Associate editor, Gonzaga Journal of International Law
  • B.S., University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, business administration, 2009
  • Pacific Coast Banking School, in partnership with Foster School of Business at the University of Washington, resident program graduate, 2023

Bar Admissions

  • Washington, 2013
  • Wisconsin, inactive

Additional Information

(SITE) Bank Law Monitor Editor (SITE) COVID 19 Contributor

Activities

Professional Plus
  • King County Bar Association, Member
  • Washington State Bar Association, Member

Recognition

  • Recognized as a “Leader in Their Field” by Chambers USA for Banking & Finance—Washington, 2025-present
  • Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® (Seattle, WA)
    • Banking and Finance Law, 2025-present
  • Selected for inclusion as a Washington Super Lawyer—Rising Star, 2019-present

Insights from Kalin

  • “Extra, Extra! Hear All About It: A Financial and Legal Update,” Oregon Bankers Association, 2024 Oregon Bank Leadership Symposium, panelist (Dec. 2024)
  • “A Lawyer, Banker, and Regulator Walk into a Baas... Banking as a Service Panel,” IBA, NBA, OBA & WBA 2023 Convention, panelist (June 2023)
  • “Vendor Contracting,” Internal Client Presentation (Nov. 2019)
  • “Senior Associate Roundtable—Business Development and Marketing Strategies,” Legal Marketing Association Northwest, LMANext Lunch ‘n Learn (Dec. 2018)
  • “Hot Topics for Bank Directors,” Oregon Bankers Association and Washington Bankers Association, Pacific Northwest Bank Leadership Symposium (Dec. 2018)
  • “Negotiating Vendor Terms That Can Bite,” Internal Client CLE (July 2018)
  • “Worth the Fight: Negotiating Vendor Terms That Can Bite,” Northwest Credit Union Association, 2017 Legal Symposium (Dec. 2017)
Collaborations

Outside the Office

Outside of the office, Kalin enjoys staying active and healthy through a variety of activities, including basketball, triathlon, and skiing.

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