Category Archives: Event

RMAI Webinar: Maurice Wutscher’s Donald Maurice to Discuss NYC’s New Foreign Language Rules for Collectors

Aug. 10, 2020 — Maurice Wutscher attorney Donald Maurice will discuss New York City’s new foreign language rules for debt collectors during an RMAI webinar today at 11 am ET.

The Department of Consumer Affairs has adopted new rules requiring licensed collection agencies to maintain records of consumer language preferences. The rules require debt collectors to disclose whether they provide “language access services.”  Debt collectors must also request and record the consumer’s language preference.

The rules were adopted on May 28, and became effective June 27. However, the agency is providing a 60-day enforcement grace period ending on Aug. 26.

RMAI has reached out to DCA raising several concerns and in response, DCA has issued FAQs. Donald Maurice who is outside counsel to RMAI and Anne Thomas of Cavalry Portfolio Services will discuss the FAQs and what steps companies should take to comply with the rules.

To register for the recording of Breaking Down the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs’ New Foreign ​Language Rules and FAQs click here.

Webinar: Maurice Wutscher’s Alan Hochheiser to Give Guidance on Bankruptcy Code’s New Preference Provisions

Aug. 5, 2020 ­— Maurice Wutscher bankruptcy attorney Alan Hochheiser will give guidance on the Bankruptcy Code’s new preference provisions now in place as a result of the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 during a webinar on Sept. 1 at 1 pm ET.

The SBRA amended Section 547(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, creating new requirements and new defenses that must be considered before commencing preference actions.

Mr. Hochheiser will discuss the uncertainty that surrounds what the new elements of Section 547(b) require a trustee to do and will further explain topics ranging from “what reasonable due diligence in the circumstances of the case” is, to the consequences if a court finds that these conditions are not met.

Mr. Hochheiser is a leading practitioner in the areas of creditors’ rights and bankruptcy law. He advises and represents businesses, regional and national banks, credit unions, equipment lessors and other lenders, as well as secured and unsecured creditors.

The webinar is being presented by Strafford and will also offer a recorded version. Click here to register for the live webinar.

Webinar to Examine New York City’s New Debt Collection Rules

June 23, 2020 — New York City’s new debt collection rules will be discussed during a Maurice Wutscher webinar now available on demand.

The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection has adopted new rules requiring debt collectors to provide consumers with language preference disclosures and an affirmative obligation to request and record the consumer’s language preference. Debt collectors will not be required to translate a collection communication.

The rules become effective June 27 with a 60-day enforcement grace period beginning from the effective date of the rules.

During the webinar, Maurice Wutscher’s Donald Maurice and Eric Rosenkoetter will be joined by Marina Banje, Senior Compliance Counsel of Cavalry Portfolio Services, LLC, to address both the implementation of the disclosure and reporting requirements, along with how the agency might be perceiving the new rules’ ambiguous requirements.

To register, click here.

Maurice Wutscher’s Alan Hochheiser to Discuss Business Bankruptcies Under SBRA, CARES Act During June Webinar

June 10, 2020 — With business bankruptcy filings on the increase as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Maurice Wutscher bankruptcy attorney Alan Hochheiser will give insight into how to protect a client’s business and its creditors during a webinar on June 16 at 12 pm ET.

The webinar will be offered again on June 25 at 12 pm ET and on demand.

Mr. Hochheiser will give an overview of the Small Business Reorganization Act and discuss the impact of the CARES Act on businesses. He will also review steps to be taken if filing a small business bankruptcy, how to preserve assets while providing the largest return for creditors, preference and other avoidance actions, how to bring additional dollars into the estate, and defenses available for creditors and insiders.

“As businesses continue to experience difficulties as we are in uncharted territory due to the pandemic, every business, its advisors, lawyers, and accountants need to be aware of the bankruptcy process. No matter if you are working with the business itself or you are a creditor, an understanding of how to protect your client’s interest will be vital to that business’s ongoing success or failure,” Mr. Hochheiser explains.

Mr. Hochheiser is a leading practitioner in the areas of creditors’ rights and bankruptcy law. He advises and represents businesses, regional and national banks, credit unions, equipment lessors and other lenders, as well as secured and unsecured creditors.

The webinar is being presented by Advantage Continuing Education Seminars. Click here to register.

Maurice Wutscher’s Donald Maurice to Discuss OCC’s New ‘Valid-When-Made’ Rule During June 11 Webinar

June 9, 2020 — Maurice Wutscher attorney Donald Maurice will discuss the OCC’s new “valid-when-made” rule during a webinar on June 11 at 3 pm ET.

On June 2, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency issued a final rule to clarify “that when a bank transfers a loan, the interest permissible before the transfer continues to be permissible after the transfer” and thus a loan is “valid-when-made.”

The rule ensures the terms of a loan remain valid after it is sold or transferred, a key component of the debt buying transaction, and resolves the legal uncertainty created by Madden v. Midland Funding, LLC.

The webinar will discuss the impact of the rule on collectors and debt buyers, including how it may lead to less liability in one area of their business.

The webinar is being presented by AccountsRecovery.net. Click here to register.

Maurice Wutscher’s Donald Maurice Speaks on Current State of Debt Collection During Podcast

June 2, 2020 — What is the state of debt collection during the COVID-19 emergency? Maurice Wutscher attorney Donald Maurice and other industry leaders weigh in during The State of Business podcast.

During the podcast, Mr. Maurice gives guidance on how collectors can responsibly continue their operations during the emergency.

The podcast is produced by Adam Wood of GCS Credit, a membership of international credit and debt collection professionals.

Mr. Maurice provides counsel to businesses and financial services companies, successfully litigating matters in state and federal courts in individual and class actions. He also counsels clients in data privacy and other regulatory compliance matters and provides advice and counsel to attorneys in matters of professional responsibility and attorney ethics.

The podcast is available here.

Maurice Wutscher’s Donald Maurice to Discuss State Regulation of Debt Collection During Pandemic for May 27 Webinar

May 26, 2020 — Maurice Wutscher attorney Donald Maurice will discuss state regulation of debt collection during the COVID-19 pandemic on May 27 at 3 pm ET.

The webinar will take a closer look at new updates regarding how the states are attempting to protect consumers through guidance and new regulations since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States two months ago.

The webinar, “Analyzing the State Efforts at Regulating Debt Collection During Coronavirus,” is being presented by AccountsRecovery.net. Click here to register.

Riccio: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Maurice Wutscher Webinar

Riccio v. Sentry Credit, Inc.April 20, 2020 — Financial services defense and compliance law firm Maurice Wutscher LLP will present a webinar, “Riccio: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” now available on demand. 

For nearly 30 years Third Circuit law required all disputes under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act section 1692g(a)(3) to be in writing — an interpretation that was rejected by all other Courts of Appeals that took up the issue. That changed with the Third Circuit’s recent ruling in Riccio v. Sentry Credit, Inc.

In this webinar, Maurice Wutscher attorneys Thomas R. Dominczyk, Shannon P. Miller and Brent Yarborough will discuss the ruling and how the decision is expected to drive FDCPA litigation for years to come.

The webinar qualifies for one hour of RMAI Certification credit. Click here to register.

Don’t Let COVID-19 Take Control of Your Business, Maurice Wutscher Webinar

COVID-19 Maurice Wutscher WebinarMarch 31, 2020 — Financial services defense and compliance law firm Maurice Wutscher LLP will present a webinar, “Don’t Let COVID-19 Take Control of Your Business,” now available on replay. 

Maurice Wutscher attorneys Donald Maurice and Eric Rosenkoetter will be joined by Adam Wood of GCSrisk, an international service provider for the global credit community, in giving guidance to financial services companies impacted by the coronavirus emergency.

The webinar will examine the unique challenges facing the receivables management industry during the crisis and help employers understand how they can keep their operations working through these unique events. The webinar will also provide an update on developments in state regulation since last week — including a closer look at the NC order released on March 27.  

Click here to register.

For additional updates on the impact of COVID-19 on the financial services industry, click here.

Maurice Wutscher’s Donald Maurice to Discuss Impact of Recent State COVID-19 Orders on Collections During RMAI Webinar March 27

March 26, 2020 — Maurice Wutscher attorney Donald Maurice will discuss the impact of recent state COVID-19 orders on collections during an RMAI webinar March 27 at 12 noon ET.

Many states have entered orders in response to COVID-19 that can impact debt collection. The webinar will take a closer look at these orders and how the receivables management industry can harmonize them with its operations and hardship policies.

The webinar is being presented by Receivables Management Association International. Click here to register.

Maurice Wutscher’s Donald Maurice to Discuss CFPB’s Supplemental Proposal on Time-Barred Debt During RMAI Webinar Feb. 28

Feb. 25, 2020 — Maurice Wutscher attorney Donald Maurice will discuss the CFPB’s supplemental debt collection proposal on time-barred debt during an RMAI webinar Feb. 28.

On Feb. 21, the CFPB released its proposed rule to require debt collectors to make certain disclosures when collecting time-barred debt. The proposal supplements the CFPB’s May 2019 proposed rule to amend Regulation F, which implements the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and currently contains the procedures for state application for exemption from the provisions of the FDCPA.

The proposed rule for the collection of time-barred debt includes both the rationale for the supplemental rule and the results of the CFPB’s Quantitative Disclosure Testing and Quantitative Survey Testing of Model Disclosure clauses and forms for the collection of time-barred debt.

Presented by Receivables Management Association International, the webinar will address:

• Impact of the proposed rule on the collection of time-barred debt;
• Impact of the proposed rule on debt buying and debt collection practices;
• Content of the various disclosure clauses and forms for debt collection as imposed by the proposed rule;
• Summary of the CFPB’s findings on the Quantitative Disclosure Testing and the Quantitative Survey Testing of clauses and forms for debt collection;
• Interplay between the proposed rule for the collection of time-barred debt and state law requirements.

Click here to register.

Maurice Wutscher Attorneys to Speak at RMAI Conference on Best Practices, Compliance in Receivables Management

Jan. 28, 2020 — Several attorneys from Maurice Wutscher LLP, a national financial services law firm, will speak on best practices, compliance strategies and other issues relevant to the receivables management industry at RMAI’s annual conference in Las Vegas Feb. 3-6.

Alan Hochheiser will review best practices around bankruptcy, consumer debt settlement, and estate recovery portfolios and offer strategies for identifying specialty accounts and maximizing recoveries.

Donald Maurice will give a talk on ethics-driven compliance management and discuss legislative and regulatory developments and how they are creating new compliance implications for the business community.

Shannon Miller will discuss payment processing solutions along with the operational and compliance considerations that arise when implementing a payment processing service into a business’s operations.

Eric Rosenkoetter and Brent Yarborough, who were involved in preparing comments on the CFPB’s proposed rules to implement the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, will discuss the rules and what they will mean for the industry.

For more information about the conference, click here.