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Maurice Wutscher’s Donald Maurice to Discuss Debt Collection Rulemaking, Pending Legislation in New York

Sept. 7, 2023 — Maurice Wutscher attorney Donald Maurice will discuss rulemaking efforts underway in both New York City and New York State as well as pending legislation that could change the process through which debts are collected in New York at the Credit and Collection News 18th Annual Credit Grantor Consortium in Philadelphia on Sept. 13.

“Although NYDFS pulled its last proposed amendments, it will issue new amendments soon,” Mr. Maurice says. “Unless DFS makes significant changes, third-party debt collectors and debt buyers collecting consumer debt in New York State will need a top-down reassessment of their existing collection operations to comply with the amendments; and may find it difficult, if not impossible, to use Regulation F’s Model Validation Notice.”

The presentation will explore in depth New York issues impacting the credit and collections industry, both regulatory and litigation, including recent activity from the New York Attorney General.

For more information and to register for the consortium click here.

Donald Maurice represents the financial services industry, successfully litigating matters in appellate and trial courts throughout the country in individual and class actions and guiding businesses, trade associations and financial services companies nationwide in regulatory and compliance matters including data privacy and ethics. As an advocate for the receivables management industry, he has been retained as counsel for amicus curiae in the U.S. Supreme Court and in U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals, and frequently testifies before state legislatures. He is outside counsel to RMAI, a regent of the American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers, and a fellow of the ABA’s American Bar Foundation.

Maurice Wutscher’s Alan Hochheiser to Discuss Developments in Bankruptcy Case Law at ABA Business Law Fall Meeting

Aug. 31, 2023 — Maurice Wutscher bankruptcy practitioner Alan Hochheiser, chair of the ABA Business Law Section’s Consumer Bankruptcy Committee, will speak on recent developments in Supreme Court and appellate bankruptcy case law during the ABA Business Law Fall Meeting on Thursday, Sept. 7 at 4 pm CT.

The meeting will be presented Sept. 7-9 in Chicago and also online for those who opt to attend virtually. To register, click here.

Alan Hochheiser is a principal at national business and financial services law firm Maurice Wutscher LLP, where he advises and represents businesses, regional and national banks, credit unions, equipment lessors and other lenders, as well as secured and unsecured creditors. He has been named to Thomson Reuters’ list of Ohio Super Lawyers and is peer-rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, the worldwide guide to lawyers.

Maurice Wutscher’s Donald Maurice Certified as Leadership Professional in Ethics & Compliance

July 12, 2023 — Maurice Wutscher financial services attorney Donald Maurice has been certified as a Leadership Professional in Ethics & Compliance by the Ethics & Compliance Initiative (ECI). The LPEC designation recognizes Mr. Maurice as having “the requisite, working knowledge to build and sustain thriving E&C programs to the highest possible standard.”

Mr. Maurice has provided counsel to clients and the financial services industry in matters related to ethics and compliance for over 30 years. During that time, he has written and lectured on both lawyer ethics and ethics and compliance for the consumer financial services industry.

Ten years ago, he developed the ethics program that is a core requirement of the Receivables Management Certification Program (RMCP) administered by the Receivables Management Association International (RMAI). The RMCP’s stated mission is to “provide enhanced consumer protections through rigorous and uniform industry standards of best practice.” Often cited as the “gold standard” due to requirements that go above and beyond those required by law, the program certifies collection agencies, debt buying companies, collection law firms, vendors, and brokers.

The Ethics & Compliance Initiative (ECI) is a membership association and research institution that empowers organizations to build and sustain high-quality ethics & compliance programs. It is the leading provider of independent research about workplace integrity, ethical standards, and compliance processes and practices in public and private institutions.

Established in 1922, ECI comprises the two oldest nonprofits in the ethics & compliance industry, the Ethics Resource Center (d.b.a. the Ethics Research Center) and the Ethics & Compliance Officer Association (d.b.a. the Ethics & Compliance Association). ECI identifies the practices that improve ethics and compliance program effectiveness and build institutional culture strength. ECI also has an established track record of providing support to organizations seeking to transform their cultures, often in the wake of significant challenges with noncompliance.

Webinar: Maurice Wutscher’s Shannon Miller to Review Motion to Compel Arbitration Strategies

May 25, 2023 — Maurice Wutscher attorney Shannon P. Miller will review the basics of using a motion to compel arbitration as an effective defense tool during an RMAI webinar on Wednesday, May 31 at 9 am PT.

The webinar will also cover common factual and legal hurdles that may need to be overcome for a successful motion, as well as recent caselaw affecting how to present and litigate a successful motion to compel arbitration.

To register for the Receivables Management Association International webinar, click here.

Shannon P. Miller is a principal attorney in Maurice Wutscher’s Pennsylvania office, where he focuses his practice on various aspects of financial services law with an emphasis on consumer financial services litigation. He has successfully represented healthcare and financial institutions and law firms across the country for claims filed under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, and various state consumer protection statutes.

Maurice Wutscher’s Alan Hochheiser to Speak on How to Avoid Sanctions in Bankruptcy Proceedings at ABA Business Law Meeting

April 24, 2023 — Maurice Wutscher bankruptcy practitioner Alan Hochheiser will speak on “How to Avoid Sanctions in Bankruptcy Proceedings” at the ABA Business Law Section Hybrid Spring Meeting on Friday, April 28 at 2 pm PT.

Mr. Hochheiser and panel will discuss FRBP 9011, Section 105 and recent case law pertaining to sanctions in bankruptcy cases including stay and discharge injunction violations.

The meeting will be held in Seattle and online for those who wish to attend virtually. For more information and to register, click here.

Alan Hochheiser is a principal at national business and financial services law firm Maurice Wutscher LLP, where he advises and represents businesses, regional and national banks, credit unions, equipment lessors and other lenders, as well as secured and unsecured creditors. Mr. Hochheiser chairs the ABA Business Law Section’s Consumer Bankruptcy Committee. He has been named to Thomson Reuters’ list of Ohio Super Lawyers and is peer-rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, the worldwide guide to lawyers.

Webinar: Maurice Wutscher’s Brent Yarborough to Discuss Arbitration of FDCPA Claims

April 18, 2023 — Maurice Wutscher financial services attorney Brent Yarborough will discuss the influx of arbitration filings in Fair Debt Collection Practices Act cases during a webinar for AccountsRecovery.net on Friday, April 21 at 1 pm ET.

Consumers and consumer attorneys are filing more FDCPA cases via arbitration, hoping that collectors will be more willing to settle because the expenses associated with arbitration can be significantly higher than in court.

In this webinar, Mr. Yarborough and panel will break down this trend and what it means for the accounts receivable management industry.

To register for the complimentary webinar, click here.

Brent Yarborough is a principal at Maurice Wutscher LLP. He focuses his practice on regulatory compliance and the defense of consumer law claims.

Maurice Wutscher’s Donald Maurice to Speak on Proposals to Amend New York Debt Collection Rules

March 31, 2023 — Maurice Wutscher attorney Donald Maurice will discuss rulemaking efforts underway in both New York City and New York State that could change the process through which debts are collected in New York at the Credit and Collection News 18th Annual Conference in La Jolla, Calif. on April 12.

The presentation will explore in depth New York issues impacting the credit and collections industry, both regulatory and litigation, including recent activity from the New York Attorney General.

For more information and to register for the conference click here.

Maurice Wutscher’s Donald Maurice Appointed to New York City Bar Association’s Consumer Affairs Committee

March 14, 2023 — Maurice Wutscher financial services attorney Donald Maurice has been appointed to serve on the New York City Bar Association’s Consumer Affairs Committee.

As a committee member, Mr. Maurice will have the opportunity to help shape law and public policy by participating in such activities as drafting reports, commenting and testifying on legislation, submitting briefs, and participating in public service projects.

Webinar: Maurice Wutscher’s Brent Yarborough to Review FDCPA Compliance Strategies

Feb. 24, 2023 — Maurice Wutscher financial services attorney Brent Yarborough will explain what defines harassment under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and how to stay in compliance during a webinar for AccountsRecovery.net on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 1 pm ET.

What defines harassment under the FDCPA? Often, it is judges who are left to make that distinction, making the definition of harassment not always as black-and-white as collectors wished it was.

In this webinar, Mr. Yarborough and panel will help codify what defines harassment under the FDCPA and explain best practices to help companies comply with the law.

To register for the complimentary webinar, click here.

Brent Yarborough is a principal at Maurice Wutscher LLP. He focuses his practice on regulatory compliance and the defense of consumer law claims.

Maurice Wutscher’s Donald Maurice Explains Proposals to Amend New York Debt Collection Rules in Westlaw Today

Feb. 15, 2023 — Maurice Wutscher attorney Donald Maurice has published an article, “The two New Yorks and their proposed debt collection rules,” on Thomson Reuters Westlaw Today.

In the article, Mr. Maurice reviews rulemaking efforts underway in both New York City and New York State that could change the process through which debts are collected in New York.

“New York City may exclude creditors, but certain creditors may be pulled into DFS’ regulations if they acquire portfolios of consumer debt,” he writes. “If the DFS proposals are adopted in their present form, third-party debt collectors and debt buyers collecting consumer debt in New York State will need a top-down reassessment of their existing collection operations to comply with the amendments; and may find it difficult, if not impossible, to use Regulation F’s Model Validation Notice.”

Maurice Wutscher Attorneys to Speak on Data Privacy, Compliance at RMAI Conference

Feb. 1, 2023 — Maurice Wutscher attorneys Alan Hochheiser and Donald Maurice will speak on data privacy, compliance, legislative, and regulatory matters impacting the receivables management industry at RMAI’s annual conference in Las Vegas Feb. 6-9.

Mr. Hochheiser will discuss current issues in the receivables management industry and share insights on how to mitigate risk and stay compliant.

Mr. Maurice will give a talk on ethics-driven compliance management and participate in a session reviewing new state and federal laws and regulations impacting the receivables management industry. He will also discuss federal developments in data privacy and security laws and regulations.

For more information about the Receivables Management Association International conference, click here.

Alan Hochheiser is a principal at national business and financial services law firm Maurice Wutscher LLP, where he advises and represents businesses, regional and national banks, credit unions, equipment lessors and other lenders, as well as secured and unsecured creditors. Mr. Hochheiser chairs the ABA Business Law Section’s Consumer Bankruptcy Committee. He has been named to Thomson Reuters’ list of Ohio Super Lawyers and is peer-rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, the worldwide guide to lawyers.

Donald Maurice is outside counsel to RMAI. He represents the financial services industry, successfully litigating matters in appellate and trial courts throughout the country in individual and class actions and guiding businesses, trade associations and financial services companies nationwide in regulatory and compliance matters. He has been named to Thomson Reuters’ list of New Jersey Super Lawyers and is peer-rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, the worldwide guide to lawyers.

Webinar: Maurice Wutscher’s Alan Hochheiser to Discuss Best Practices in Consumer Bankruptcy Matters

Jan. 20, 2023 — Maurice Wutscher bankruptcy practitioner Alan Hochheiser will discuss best practices for the accounts receivable management industry concerning consumers who have filed for bankruptcy protection during a webinar Thursday, Jan 26, at 1 pm ET.

In this webinar, Mr. Hochheiser and panel will break down what creditors and collectors need to know about consumers and bankruptcy.

“What You Need to Know About Consumers and Bankruptcy” is being presented by AccountsRecovery.net. To register for the complimentary webinar, click here.

Alan Hochheiser is a principal at national business and financial services law firm Maurice Wutscher LLP, where he advises and represents businesses, regional and national banks, credit unions, equipment lessors and other lenders, as well as secured and unsecured creditors. Mr. Hochheiser chairs the ABA Business Law Section’s Consumer Bankruptcy Committee. He has been named to ALM’s list of Cleveland’s Top-Rated Lawyers and is peer-rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, the worldwide guide to lawyers.