Where plaintiffs assert civil claims alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (the “FDCPA”), 15 U.S.C. §§ 1692-1692p, against mortgage lenders and their servicers, the defendants should assess the claims to determine whether they are subject to immediate dismissal. The first question that should be considered is whether the lender or servicer even qualifies as a “debt collector” pursuant to the FDCPA. If the answer to that question is “yes,” then the next question needing an answer is “what are the most effective available defenses?”
Continue Reading Lender and Servicer Defenses to FDCPA Claims
litigation
Target “Data Breach Task Force” Documents Deemed Privileged
The Minnesota magistrate judge presiding over discovery in the litigation seeking to hold Target Corp. liable for the retailer’s 2013 data breach issued an order denying the motion by a plaintiff class of about 9,000 banks to compel production of certain documents relating to Target’s internal investigation that were withheld on privilege grounds.
Target withheld…
U.S. Supreme Court Poised to Rule on Mooting Effect of Rule 68 Offers of Judgment
One of the hottest topics in class action litigation is whether a defendant’s offer of judgment providing complete relief to a plaintiff under Rule 68 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure moots the plaintiff’s individual and uncertified class action claims. In just a few weeks, the U.S. Supreme Court will take up this question…
Bank Examination Privilege Presents a Moving Target for Counsel
In the current banking environment, where private civil litigation is frequently brought simultaneously with, or very closely following, regulatory investigations and enforcement actions, it is crucial for banks to know whether and how communications with federal and state regulators may be used against them in parallel or subsequent proceedings.
The bank examination privilege exists at…
Supreme Court upholds ‘disparate impact’ under the FHA but emphasizes that claims cannot rely on statistics alone
In a much-anticipated decision, the U.S. Supreme Court held in Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs v. Inclusive Communities Project (“Inclusive Communities”) that claims of disparate impact discrimination are cognizable under the Fair Housing Act (“FHA”). In the case, the Inclusive Communities Project (“ICP”) accused the Texas state housing agency of violating the FHA…