Former U.S. Central Bridge FCU General Counsel and President/CEO Francois Henriquez joined the Miami-based Shutts & Bowen LLP, the law firm announced Monday in a release. Henriquez will relocate from Kansas City to Miami to work in the Financial Services Industry Practice Group, practicing primarily in the section's Credit Union Law Group.

“This is a significant addition to our firm; François has a top-notch national financial reputation and has had extensive experience in dealing with the nation’s senior financial industry regulators,” said Bowman Brown, chairman of Shutts & Bowen’s Executive Committee and the firm’s Financial Services Practice Group. “François adds depth to our group and broadens our national footprint.”

Henriquez took over as Interim CEO of U.S. Central after post-conservatorship CEO Jim Nance was fired by the NCUA in Sept. 2009 after just six months. He was named to the permanent wind-down post and assisted the NCUA in operating the top-tier corporate as it wound down the services it provided to pass-through and other corporates. U.S. Central closed Oct. 29.

“François’ work at the national corporate credit union level complements our nationwide practice serving retail credit unions perfectly,” said Michael Lozoff, chair of Shutts & Bowen’s Credit Union Law Group. “He enjoys the highest respect in the industry both as a corporate lawyer and as a financial institutions senior executive.”

Henriquez joined U.S. Central in November 1993 and served as senior vice president and general counsel. Before U.S. Central, Henriquez was engaged in private legal practice, first as an associate with a major law firm in New York City, and then as an associate and partner in two prominent Kansas City, Missouri-based law firms. He is a past board secretary of the National Credit Union Foundation and previously served as the vice chairman of the legislative and regulatory affairs committee of the Association of Corporate Credit Unions (ACCU). Henriquez received his J.D. from Columbia University Law School and his B.A. from Yale University. –handerson@cutimes.com

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Former U.S. Central Attorney & CEO Joins Miami Firm

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