Founded in 1936, SW&M provides credit unions, banks, and other entities within the financial services industry comprehensive legal support for transactional, regulatory compliance, strategy and governance matters.

What makes SW&M Unique?

In a few words: Focus, purpose, commitment and “fire in the belly.”

Since our founding date, we have measured our achievements by the success of hundreds of clients, exclusively in the financial services industry. Throughout the years, this focus has shaped us into a specialized firm with unmatched advantages for every client we serve.

Far-Reaching Experience

SW&M attorneys have shown incredible tenacity addressing clients’ legal needs in a variety of ways. This makes us incredibly efficient.

Lasting Industry Relationships

We are familiar with industry regulators, consultants and other key players — in fact, we know them well. This provides us with keen insight into how they operate and allows us to navigate any issues that may arise.

Intergenerational Expertise

Our deep institutional knowledge is enriched by both seasoned professionals and new attorneys with fresh perspectives. This allows our team to be uniquely insightful in the industry and prepares us for today’s challenging issues.

Longstanding Leadership

With a long track record of successful representations, positive outcomes and empowering clients, SW&M has and continues to assist hundreds of financial institutions thrive.

From transactional matters to litigation management, our firm encompasses a full range of legal representation. This diversity in our practice enables us to provide customized legal services, tailored to clients’ needs.

Attorneys at SW&M are licensed to practice law in California, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. We can also assist clients with a number of federal regulatory and legal issues.

How We Work

We make your success our mission. We’re honest with ourselves and with you.

We perform well under pressure.

We’re never afraid to do the right thing – even when it’s the hardest thing.

We solve problems creatively, while being practical and efficient.

We care for our clients and their goals.

We understand and support your team.

The original named partners of our firm: Lord J. Styskal, Alvin O. Wiese, Edgar J. Melchione and Joseph S. Melchione, have long since retired. However, we proudly carry their names as we believe that we are much more than just a grouping of individuals. Rather, our name represents a profound history, one that we take great pride in and wish to commemorate. Through retaining our original name, we are able to maintain that set standard of excellent service, for which SW&M has been renowned for since 1936, and strive to maintain well into the future. This continuity has been the bedrock of our firm for decades, and we are committed to upholding the same standards of excellence, professionalism, and integrity that our original named partners instilled in us.

Serving Our Communities

At SW&M, we take joy in giving back and helping out

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