PCA Global Ventures, the parent company of several significant debt collection firms including Phillips & Cohen Associates, Ardent Credit Services, Invenio Financial, and The Estate Registry, has recently announced the promotion of a new chief legal officer. This reshuffle in leadership marks a significant step in the company’s efforts to integrate legal oversight and compliance…
As global trade continues to evolve, recent litigation trends reveal a growing focus on tariff-related disputes, the transformative use of AI-powered business tools, and complexities surrounding DOJ-owned debts. These legal themes are poised to shape boardroom discussions and courtroom strategies in multinational corporations and leading law firms. Recent lawsuits have been sparked by the economic…
The Third Circuit Court is set to revisit a significant decision involving a debt collection company’s claims of trade secret violations by two former employees. Initially, the court determined that work passwords do not constitute trade secrets and ruled that the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) does not apply to policy breaches within the…
The erosion of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) authority has created significant challenges for businesses attempting to comply with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). A growing number of court rulings have cast doubt on the FCC’s interpretative powers, especially after the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision in ACA International v. FCC. This decision questioned the…
Chicago-based law firm Hinshaw & Culbertson has expanded its footprint in New Jersey with the addition of four seasoned partners to its consumer financial services practice group in Iselin. The new partners, Marissa Edwards, Fred Hoensch, Robert Pollock, and Diane Ragosa, collectively bring decades of experience in financial services law, enhancing the firm’s capacity in…
Stanford Law School’s Deborah L. Rhode Center on the Legal Profession and Legal Design Lab, in collaboration with the Superior Court of Los Angeles County (LASC), have unveiled a detailed report that addresses pressing challenges in high-volume civil dockets and presents tech-driven solutions for enhancing access to justice. Titled A Blueprint for Expanding Access to…
In a recent development, Colorado tenants and the law firm Tschetter Sulzer PC have reached a settlement in two class action lawsuits. These suits accused the eviction law firm of improperly charging attorney fees before the eviction proceedings had concluded. This resolution comes over a year after Tschetter Sulzer settled a separate proposed class action…
The Eighth Circuit Court recently engaged in a critical examination of a debtor’s attorney in a case involving allegations against Kansas Counselors Inc. (KCI) for purportedly breaching the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The attorney, representing plaintiff Marcia Denmon, argued that a debt collection letter sent by KCI infringed upon Denmon’s privacy rights, specifically…
In a significant development, Vice President Kamala Harris has announced the final ruling of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) that will eliminate medical debt from consumer credit reports. This decision is set to ease the financial burden on millions of Americans who have struggled with rising medical bills and their impact on creditworthiness. For…
In a recent legal development, a Singapore-based plaintiff sought to collect a $10 million debt from a Saudi Arabian debtor. However, the plaintiff faced significant challenges due to U.S. garnishment rules. The crux of the case was whether the debtor possessed property in Texas that could be garnished to satisfy the debt. An appeals court…
“`html A federal judge has sanctioned a Pittsburgh law firm for engaging in what has been described as a ‘campaign of deception’ in debt collection disputes. Judge Cathy Bissoon emphasized that the court would not tolerate any attempts at manipulating legal proceedings. “Counsel are well advised to heed one lesson from this experience in particular,…
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is facing a legal dispute in New York state court, brought forth by a debt collection agency. The lawsuit centers around an alleged unpaid balance exceeding $350,000 for services rendered by legal technology company TransPerfect Legal Solutions. For further details on this developing story, you can read more here.
Willkie Farr & Gallagher has been sued in New York state court by a debt collection agency representing TransPerfect Legal Solutions. The suit alleges non-payment of fees exceeding $350,000 for document review and e-discovery services provided between 2022 and 2023. The collection agency claims Willkie Farr failed to pay invoices totaling $363,516.19 and did not…
Two lawyers and their Pittsburgh-based law firm, J.P. Ward & Associates LLC, have been sanctioned by federal judge Cathy Bissoon for what has been described as a “campaign of deception designed to line their own pockets.” The lawyers, Joshua P. Ward and Travis A. Gordon, were found to have written forged letters from their clients…
Finding community at law school is vital, particularly while navigating the rigors of legal study. For a lucky group of Stanford Law School (SLS) students, the Civil Justice Fellowship is offering both community and exciting scholarly opportunities. “My favorite part of being a student fellow is definitely my fellow student fellows,” says Catherina Xu, JD…
North Carolina lawmakers have instituted a streamlined process for state business court filings, aiming to enhance efficiency within the legal system. Additionally, regulations on attorney fees in debt collection lawsuits are under consideration, a move that could significantly impact legal practice in the state. Another closely followed legislative measure proposes easing the attorney discipline process…
The Deborah L. Rhode Center on the Legal Profession and the Stanford Legal Design Lab have entered into a partnership with the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, the nation’s largest trial court. The collaboration aims to design and implement innovative, evidence-based approaches to reduce barriers to participation in the judicial process and improve access…
A Colorado law firm that specializes in representing landlords in eviction cases has been targeted with another federal lawsuit. The suit, filed on Tuesday, alleges that the firm breached debt collection laws by billing tenants for attorney fees before eviction proceedings had been concluded. This latest legal challenge raises significant questions about the firm’s compliance…
The U.S. Supreme Court has delivered a significant ruling, affirming in a 7-2 decision that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) can continue to receive funds through the Federal Reserve rather than through congressional appropriations. This ruling overturns a previous decision by a Louisiana federal appeals court that had questioned the bureau’s funding structure. Had…
On Wednesday, Second Circuit judges expressed reservations regarding a district court’s decision that permits non-lawyers to provide legal advice to low-income New Yorkers involved in debt collection cases. The initial ruling, which is being challenged by New York Attorney General Letitia James, asserts that such guidance constitutes protected speech under the First Amendment. Judge Richard…
Husch Blackwell, the prominent legal firm, is enlarging its consumer financial services sector with the addition of new partners noted in their recent announcement. Ryan DiClemente and Colleen Fox have been incorporated as partners in this respect. Both DiClemente and Fox are expected to provide significant contributions to Husch Blackwell’s consumer financial services practice. Their…
A recent legal development in the state of North Carolina could substantially impact the practices surrounding attorney fees in debt collection cases. Two Republican lawmakers from the state have put forth a proposal for state legislation designed to address what is viewed as a loophole in the current system. The proposed legislation appears to give…
Consumer protection attorney, situated in Florida, has reportedly filed over 1,000 lawsuits alleging that debt collectors have blatantly disregarded their legal obligations. These allegations, if substantiated, could potentially create a tectonic shift in the industry’s legal landscape. This Florida-based attorney has been aggressively pursuing legal action against debt collection agencies. The allegations claim that these…
Rudolph Giuliani’s creditors are pushing back against his attempts to leverage bankruptcy protections for his benefit. The former New York City mayor is under pressure for a $148 million judgment connected to his unsuccessful campaign to retain former President Donald Trump in office. Giuliani had positioned his bankruptcy filing as a means to halt debt…
As modern technological advancements reshape various traditional services, billing practices in law firms have remained predominantly static, with many firms still relying heavily on paper checks for payments. This antiquated practice can often hurdle timely payments, impacting the firm’s liquidity and the client’s ability to blot their debt. When it comes to payment options, variety…