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Bank Regulatory, Internal Investigations & Enterprise Risk
Christopher Riffle brings more than 25 years of legal, regulatory, operations, and executive leadership experience to Unified Law, advising boards, CEOs, and senior executives on bank regulatory matters, internal investigations, and enterprise risk. He has spent his career operating inside highly regulated environments where credibility with regulators, disciplined fact development, and sound judgment are essential.
Christopher most recently served as General Counsel of a publicly traded bank, where he led all legal affairs, including corporate governance, regulatory compliance, internal investigations, litigation management, and enterprise risk oversight. He is known for his ability to manage regulator-facing issues, guide organizations through examinations and consent orders, and help leadership teams resolve complex matters efficiently and credibly.
At Unified Law, Christopher supports clients facing regulatory examinations, investigations, consent orders, and other high-stakes supervisory matters. He works closely with boards and executive teams to assess issues, investigate concerns, engage regulators, and drive matters to resolution with speed and credibility.
Core Areas of Focus
Bank Regulatory Compliance & Examinations
Christopher directs regulatory strategy and examination response, including engagement with federal and state regulators, consent order remediation, and ongoing supervisory oversight.
Internal Investigations & Regulatory Response
He leads and supports internal investigations arising from regulatory inquiries, supervisory findings, and risk events, helping organizations develop facts and respond effectively.
Board, CEO & Executive Advisory
Christopher advises boards and executive teams on governance, fiduciary duties, investigations, and enterprise risk, bringing a practical, operator-informed perspective.Enterprise Risk & Audit Oversight
He helps organizations operationalize risk management, audit readiness, and compliance controls across business functions.Legal Operations & Outside Counsel Management
Christopher builds efficient legal functions, optimizes outside counsel usage, and improves contracting velocity while materially reducing legal spend.
Career Highlights
First Fed Bank, General Counsel
Directed all legal affairs for a publicly traded bank, including corporate governance, regulatory compliance, internal investigations, and litigation management. Guided the organization through a federal consent order and achieved full remediation within 11 months. Reduced outside counsel and professional fees by more than $1M annually by restructuring legal operations.First Fed Bank, Chief Strategy Officer
Designed and executed a three-year strategic plan embedding governance, compliance, and risk oversight into enterprise growth initiatives.First Fed Bank, Chief Digital Officer
Led enterprise digital transformation initiatives with emphasis on vendor due diligence, regulatory alignment, and risk mitigation. Achieved more than $3M in lifetime savings through vendor negotiations.First Fed Bank, Chief Operating Officer
Led enterprise operations, technology, and information security teams, embedding governance, compliance, and risk controls across the organization.Platt Irwin Law Firm, Managing Partner
Served as outside general counsel to public and private entities, advising on governance, investigations, employment, securities, and litigation matters.
Bar Admissions
Washington
Nebraska
Education
J.D., University of Nebraska College of Law, High Distinction
B.A., Sociology and History, University of Washington
Beyond the Bar
Brings a work-hard, play-hard mindset and a sense of humor that keeps teams steady when the pressure is real
Fueled by physical challenge and endurance, including a 54-mile single-day trek across Olympic National Park and finishing 29029 Everesting by climbing the vertical height of Mount Everest in one weekend
