HANOVER, Md. — Hudson Cook LLP, a nationwide provider of legal compliance services for the financial services industry, has added Joel Winston as a partner in its Washington, D.C., office. Winston brings more than 35 years of experience in all aspects of consumer finance law and public policy, with special emphasis on privacy, identity theft, data security and credit reporting.

“Joel’s extensive experience with consumer financial services regulation, privacy law, and advertising law will be a great addition to our practice,” said Hudson Cook Chairman Tom Hudson. “His stellar reputation and depth of experience, along with his focus on finding innovative solutions that benefit our clients and their customers, is a great fit with the culture of our firm.”

Winston began his career at the Federal Trade Commission, working there from 1976 to 2011. He has held senior positions in the FTC’s Division of Advertising Practices, the Division of Financial Practices, and the Division of Privacy and Identity Protection, a new unit he helped create.

As the director of the Division of Financial Practices, he was responsible for protecting consumers of financial products and services through law enforcement, rulemaking, policy development and public outreach. He has been involved in the development of significant public policies, including several provisions of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions (FACT) Act. He also served as a member of the President’s Identity Theft Task Force and is a recipient of the 2008 Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Executive.   

Winston received his Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School. He is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP), a credential issued by the International Association of Privacy Professionals and a member of the American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers.