Category: Consumer Protection

Lori Bullock, Katherine Charonko, and Joshua Hammack Named to 2024 Lawdragon X – The Next Generation List

Bailey Glasser partners Lori A. Bullock, Katherine Charonko, and Joshua I. Hammack have been named to Lawdragon’s 2024 500 X – The Next Generation guide. This recognition acknowledges the achievements of the top 500 lawyers who have vaulted to the forefront of the legal profession. This Lawdragon recognition is prestigious as the 500 lawyers included were selected through a process of “select[ing] members of this guide through our time-honed process of submissions, independent research and vetting with friends and foes.”

Lori Bullock is an impactful litigator, handling challenging cases across several litigation areas, including Title IX athletics, labor and employment, sexual harassment, disability discrimination, education law, and civil rights, and is the managing partner of BG’s Des Moines, Iowa office. Lori has won ground-breaking Title IX settlements for student-athletes at nine U.S. colleges and universities for violating the federal civil rights law prohibiting sex discrimination at educational institutions receiving federal funds, including appeals to federal circuit court and the Supreme Court included in this submission. She was also part of the team that won the $5 million judgment against “MyPillow’s” Mike Lindell related to false claims made about the 2020 election.

Katherine Charonko is a litigator and head of the firm’s sophisticated and cutting-edge ESI group where she oversees e-discovery in complex disputes involving billions of documents and ensures proper collection, production, and review of electronic data. Kate holds the global Certified e-Discovery Specialist (CEDS) credential, a global recognition that assures clients and co-counsel that our approaches are compliant, efficient, cost-effective, and reduces risk in all phases of e-Discovery. In addition, Kate is a key part of the firm’s multidistrict litigation (MDL) teams, which concentrate largely on automotive and medical device product liability actions. She serves as liaison director of e-Discovery and ESI on several MDL leadership committees nationwide and has worked on landmark MDL matters including some of the largest vehicle defect litigations in history, including the Volkswagen emissions case, and many more. Indeed, Kate was recognized for her product liability work in this year’s Chambers & Partners accolades in the nationwide plaintiffs category, among other recognitions.

Joshua Hammack handles complicated matters from their inception through appeal. He has briefed and argued appeals in state and federal courts across the country for a host of substantive legal areas, including Title IX, the Commerce Clause, contract interpretation, deed construction, statutes of limitation, and the Video Privacy Protection Act. He has briefed multiple issues to the Supreme Court of the United States. In just the last eight months, he has argued before the Second, Sixth, and Ninth Circuits, as well as intermediate appellate courts in West Virginia and New York. Members of the firm regularly gather to watch or listen to his oral arguments, and he also hosts an annual training session on brief writing for lawyers at the firm.

To learn more about the 2024 LDX500 guide, visit: https://www.lawdragon.com/guides/2024-06-28-the-2024-lawdragon-500-x-the-next-generation

Law360: “Pa. Court OKs $3.65M Deal On Student Loan ‘Pay-To-Pay’ Fees”

BG secured approval for a $3.65 million settlement in a class action before a Pennsylvania federal district court on behalf of federal student loan borrowers charged illegal fees just for paying their monthly loan payments online or over the phone.

The lawsuit against Educational Computer Systems Inc., alleges that the servicer charged federal student loan borrowers nationwide illegal “Pay-to-Pay” fees, or extra charges to process one–time monthly payments on their Perkins loans online or by phone, in violation of several federal and state consumer protection laws. Bailey Glasser’s Patricia Kipnis, partner and leader of the firm’s Consumer Litigation Practice Group, and partner James Kauffman, along with attorneys from the law firm Tycko & Zavareei LLP, are class counsel in this case.

On Monday, U.S. District Court Judge Patricia A. Dodge stated on the record that she would grant the motion for final approval of the settlement and the motion for attorney fees, administrative costs, and class representative awards, with a formal order to follow. The motion for settlement included the $3.65 million payment that will refund more than 40,000 class members a pro-rata portion of the fees they paid to ECSI.

Judge Dodge remarked on the record describing the settlement as “fair and equitable,” and stated, “this case was administered effectively, litigated appropriately, and very well.”

Lead counsel Patricia Kipnis said, “We’re thrilled with this result in what we believe to be the first case against a student loan servicer asserting the legal theory that Pay-to-Pay fees are unlawful under consumer protection statutes.”

You can learn more about this settlement by reading this Law360 article here.

And for more information on our Pay-to-Pay services, visit here.

#baileyglasser #classactions #paytopay #consumerprotection #illegalfees #studentloans

Motion for Temporary Order Filed in Suit Against Johnson & Johnson

Bailey & Glasser, LLP and a group of leading law firms filed a motion to show cause why a preliminary injunction ought not issue to stop Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiaries from pursuing a new bankruptcy filing in any district other than in New Jersey, where tens of thousands of civil lawsuits are already consolidated in multidistrict litigation.

The company recently announced the pursuit of a prepackaged bankruptcy plan to resolve talc claims in an unspecified federal court in Texas. Two previous bankruptcy filings by the company have been denied by the courts in New Jersey, where J&J is headquartered. In today’s filing, we seek a temporary restraining order on the basis that J&J is attempting to evade jurisdiction and continue to manipulate the bankruptcy process to disadvantage tens of thousands of women who developed cancer from continued use of Johnson’s products. We also seek to prevent any amendments to agreements between J&J and its subsidiaries to fund the plan without notifying the plaintiffs.

The Bailey Glasser team in this case includes founding partner Brian A. Glasser; David L. Selby II, the firm’s Mass Tort Practice Group Leader, partner D. Todd Mathews, Of Counsel Thomas B. Bennett, partner Thanos Basdekis, partner and Consumer Protection Practice Group Leader Patricia Kipnis, and Of Counsel Michael Shenkman. Other firms representing the plaintiffs in this lawsuit are Beasley Allen Crow Methvin Portis & Miles PC, Levin Papantonio Rafferty Proctor Buchanan O’Brien Barr Mougey PA; Golomb Legal; Ashcraft & Gerel LLP; and Burns Charest LLP.

On behalf of our clients, we have requested that the injunction hearing be heard at the earliest possible time.

For more please visit this link.

Bailey Glasser Secures $3.6 Million Settlement in “Pay-to-Pay” Class Action Against Mr. Cooper

Bailey & Glasser, LLP secured a groundbreaking $3.6 million settlement in a class action before a federal district court in Washington, D.C on behalf of consumers who were charged illegal fees just for paying their mortgages over the phone. BG partner James Kauffman, along with attorneys from the law firm Tycko & Zavareei LLP are class counsel in this case.

The lawsuit against Mr. Cooper – formerly known as Nationstar Mortgage LLC – and one of the country’s largest home loan servicers, alleges that the servicer charged mortgage borrowers in D.C. and nationwide illegal “Pay-to-Pay” fees, or extra charges up to $14 to process each monthly payment by phone in violation of several federal and state consumer protection laws. The settlement, which obtained final approval on Thursday, included the nearly $3.6 million payment to 72,555 class members and was based on a novel legal argument under the D.C. “Protecting Consumers from Unjust Debt Collections Practices Act,” which provides additional statutory damages to consumers for each illegal transaction.

“The settlement obtained is an excellent result for the class, and we are pleased that the court agreed,” James Kauffman said. “While our work has caused many servicers to stop charging these fees, others persist in this abuse, and we will continue to fight to protect hardworking consumers from junk fees.”

You can learn more about this settlement by reading this Law360 article here.

To learn more about our “Pay-to-Pay” and Illegal Convenience Fee services, visit here.

#baileyglasser #classactions #paytopay #consumerprotection #illegalfees #mortgage

Bailey Glasser Wins Summary Judgment for Texas Borrowers over Illegal “Pay-to-Pay” Junk Fees

On behalf of a class of consumers who were charged illegal fees just for paying their mortgages over the phone, Bailey & Glasser, LLP won a significant summary judgment victory in a class action before a federal district court in Houston, Texas.

The lawsuit against Lakeview Loan Servicing and LoanCare alleges that they charged FHA mortgage borrowers illegal “Pay-to-Pay” fees, extra charges up to $12 for processing monthly payments by phone. Bailey Glasser partners James Kauffman and Elizabeth Ryan were lead counsel in this case.

“This case is a big win for American consumers who struggle enough without being nickel-and-dimed by illegal junk fees,” said lead counsel James Kauffman. “These kinds of fees are unlawful, and we will continue to fight across the country to protect consumers from companies taking advantage of them.”

Other members of the Bailey Glasser team consisted of Contingency Practice Area Leader Jonathan Marshall, Consumer Litigation Practice Group Leader Patricia Kipnis, attorney Denali Hedrick, and paralegals Mary McClay and Vanessa Pierre.

To learn more please click here.

#justice #paytopay #consumerprotection #illegalfees #baileyglasser

Bailey Glasser Adds Two New Lawyers to Charleston, West Virginia Office

Bailey & Glasser, LLP has added two new lawyers to our national practice. Daniel O’Hare will practice in the firm’s Bankruptcy practice group, and Lincoln Wolfe will become a member of our Consumer Protection practice group. Both attorneys are joining us after completing prestigious federal court clerkships and will be in our Charleston, West Virginia office.

Dan O’Hare’s practice focuses on assisting clients through bankruptcy and business reorganization, including business restructurings, reorganizations, preferences, and fraudulent transfer actions. Before joining Bailey Glasser, Dan was a term law clerk in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Ohio. Dan is a graduate of West Virginia University College of Law, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif, and an associate editor of the Law Review. Before his legal career, Dan was a college professor teaching religious studies at various colleges and universities. He holds a Ph.D. in Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity from the University of Notre Dame.

Lincoln Wolfe will litigate on behalf of individuals and class members in cases involving debt collection, consumer finance, TCPA violations, and a host of other consumer and employment matters. Prior to joining Bailey Glasser, Lincoln was a judicial law clerk in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. He is a graduate of the University of Richmond School of Law, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the University of Richmond Law Review and was a member of the Lewis F. Powell Inn of Court. Lincoln graduated summa cum laude from West Virginia University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and has also worked in public policy development in state and federal government positions.

Read the full announcement and learn more about our new colleagues here.
#BaileyGlasser #BankruptcyLaw #ConsumerProtection #litigation #welcome

42 Bailey Glasser Lawyers Named To The Best Lawyers in America & Best Lawyers: Ones To Watch 2024 Guides

Today we announce that 42 Bailey Glasser lawyers have been recognized across various categories (including one as a “Lawyer of the Year”) in the 30th edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and the fourth edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America®.

“Lawyer of the Year” honors are awarded annually to only one lawyer per practice area in each region with extremely high overall feedback from their peers, making it an exceptional distinction.

For more, follow this link.

Bailey Glasser Announces New Leadership For Consumer Litigation and Corporate Practice Groups

Bailey & Glasser, LLP is pleased to announce the appointment of two longstanding firm partners to lead its national Corporate and Consumer Litigation practice groups. Jonathan S. Deem is the new Practice Group Leader of Bailey Glasser’s Corporate Group, and Patricia Mulvoy Kipnis our new Consumer Litigation Practice Group Leader.

Jonathan Deem is a partner in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office, where he leads the nationwide corporate team that handles mergers and acquisitions, financial services, corporate finance, tax, and entrepreneurial transactions, including venture capital. Among numerous recognitions, Chambers USA has recognized Jonathan since 2019, with one client stating that “Jonathan is the best I have ever worked with.” The Corporate Practice Group and lawyers on the team are also recognized by Chambers USA and the U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Lawyers” and “Best Law Firm in America.”

Patricia Kipnis is a partner in the firm’s New Jersey and Philadelphia offices where she leads the Consumer Litigation Practice Group. Ms. Kipnis is one of the firm’s leaders in challenging “Pay-to-Pay” and other “junk fees” imposed on consumers by mortgage servicers and other debt collectors through class action litigation in courts nationwide. The consumer litigation team has won several impactful cases, including lawsuits against major corporations such as Uber, Quicken, DISH Network, and mortgage servicers. Ms. Kipnis is also a Lecturer in Law at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, and formerly taught at the Rutgers School of Law – Camden.

The new practice group leader appointments highlight Bailey Glasser’s emphasis on experienced leadership and collaborative teams. Read the full announcement and learn more about Jonathan Deem and Patricia Kipnis here.
#ConsumerLaw #CorporateLaw #FirmLeadership

Bailey Glasser Awarded Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2023 and Achieves Nationwide Rankings in ERISA and Product Liability Litigation

Thank you to Chambers & Partners for our 2023 rankings, which includes two brand-new nationwide practice group rankings in the ERISA plaintiffs and Product Liability litigation categories. Having our lawyers and practice groups recognized by Chambers reflects how much we care about our clients and how hard we work to achieve successful outcomes for them.

We are grateful to all the clients and counsel (co-counsel as well as referring counsel) who took the time to participate in the process. Your time is valuable and we take that seriously. We appreciate you.

For a detailed overview of this year’s rankings, please visit here.

Congratulations to our 2023 LCLD Pathfinder – Panida Anderson

Bailey & Glasser, LLP would like to congratulate attorney Panida Anderson on being named a 2023 Leadership Council for Legal Diversity (LCLD) Pathfinder. Ms. Anderson practices consumer protection, class action, and employment litigation with a particular focus on representing consumers in class actions under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). She is also the immediate past President of the National Thai American Bar Association (TABA), which facilitates the professional development of its members and increases access to legal services for the greater Thai community.

LCLD is an organization made up of more than 400 corporate chief legal officers and law firm managing partners, who have pledged themselves to create a truly diverse U.S. legal profession. LCLD’s programs are designed to “attract, inspire, and nurture” talent and promote inclusiveness within these organizations and in the participants’ circles of influence, thereby creating a new and more diverse generation of attorneys.

The Pathfinder Program is designed for diverse, high-potential, early-career attorneys at LCLD Member organizations. As a Pathfinder, Ms. Anderson will gain practical tools for developing and leveraging internal professional networks, leadership skills, and career development strategies specific to law firm practice.

“The LCLD program encourages Pathfinders to embrace our diversity and show up as our full selves.” Ms. Anderson said. “It teaches communication skills so that we can be better advocates and team players. Being able to network and become friends with like-minded diverse professionals is invaluable, and I appreciate Bailey Glasser for nominating me to be this year’s Pathfinder.”

After completing the seven-month program, Ms. Anderson will join fellow Bailey Glasser attorneys Jade Smith-Williams and Britney Littles as LCLD Alumni Program members.

Bailey Glasser became an LCLD member firm in 2022, with founding partner Benjamin Bailey as LCLD “Leader at the Front” and partner Cary Joshi as 2022 LCLD Fellow.

Learn more about the LCLD Pathfinder Program here.

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