Paul Hancock focuses his practice on litigation as it relates to the financial services industry, namely mortgage banking and consumer credit. He also handles matters involving commercial litigation, civil rights and general civil litigation, particularly class actions.
Prior to joining K&L Gates, Mr. Hancock was a partner in the Miami office of a leading law firm headquartered in Washington, DC. Before entering private practice, he served as the Deputy Attorney General for South Florida, managing the Attorney General's legal programs in the southern portion of the state, and personally litigating cases of major significance statewide. He briefed and argued Gore v. Bush before the Florida Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court. He also defended the state in private class action and governmental pattern or practice litigation.
Mr. Hancock spent more than 20 years with the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), attaining the highest-ranking career position in the Division. He is experienced in all areas of civil rights litigation, and is best known for his work in the fields of voting, housing, disability rights, insurance, and lending and credit. While at DOJ, Hancock directed the Voting Rights Act litigation program and enforcement of the Fair Housing Act. He originated the department's fair lending enforcement program, serving as the program’s director for nine years. He also served as the DOJ’s Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. He received many awards from the Department, as well as from outside organizations for his law enforcement efforts, including special recognition from Attorney General Janet Reno for his development of the Department's fair lending enforcement program.
Mr. Hancock lectures frequently on housing and credit issues.