8:30 – 8:55 a.m.

CHECK-IN & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

8:55 – 9:00 a.m.

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION

9:00 – 9:30 a.m.

Working with Your Client
A potential client walks through your door seeking representation – now what? This session will teach you what you need to know about creating and maintaining a successful and mutually satisfying relationship with your client. You will learn how to draft a retainer agreement, how to evaluate a claim, when to discourage suit, and much more about managing client relationships.
– D. Scott Erickson

9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

How to Lawfully Collect Debts Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
Learn who is subject to the requirements of the FDCPA and who is protected by them, what constitutes a debut under the Act, and what you as collection counsel can and cannot do for your clients to collect a debt. You will receive practical guidance from an experienced practitioner about common issues that arise in debt collection and how to address them.
– John K. Rossman

10:30 – 10:45 a.m.

BREAK

10:45 – 11:30 a.m.

The Ethics of Debt Collection: Successfully Dealing with Ethical Complaints Against Debt Collectors
It is a painful truth of debt collection practice that some angry debtors will file ethics complaints against you. Learn what you need to do to avoid getting complaints made (when possible) and how to respond to complaints once they happen. Using compelling, real-life examples this session will teach you about the risks of delegation, how to document your file, and much, much more!
– Derrick N. Weber

11:30 – 12:00 noon

Why Collection Lawyers Get Sued: A Plaintiff’s Perspective
This lively segment will cover the ins and outs of getting sued by a Plaintiff’s FDCPA lawyer. Included will be why collection lawyers get sued, why not to take FDCPA lawsuits personally, how to avoid getting sued, and common lawyer traps and pitfalls under the FDCPA. Garnishment issues will be addressed from a consumer’s perspective.
– Peter F. Barry

12:00 – 12:15 p.m.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

12:15 – 1:00 p.m.

LUNCH (on your own)

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

What You Need to Know About the Lawsuit
This session will identify for you the steps you need to take before initiating a lawsuit, what you need to do to initiate suit, and what you need to know to prepare for trial. You will also receive sample pleadings and motions to use at each stage of the lawsuit.
– George E. Warner, Jr.

2:00 – 2:15 p.m.

BREAK

2:15 – 3:00 p.m.

How to Collect on the Judgment
Obtaining a judgment for your client is only the first step in the collection process. This session will walk you through the entire process of collecting on a judgment. You will also learn how to conduct discovery of assets, and receive helpful tips about resources you can use to find information about a debtor’s assets.
– Heidi L. Staloch

3:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Working with the Sheriff on a Collection
Learn the various methods of collection, and how and when to employ them, including the critical information you need to provide to the sheriff’s office before they will execute the collection.
– Sgt. Mark Lundeen

3:30 – 3:45 p.m.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS