Jim joined Reed Smith in 2012 and provides firmwide support to the Business & Finance Department and Litigation Department.
Since becoming a staff attorney in 2014, he has focused on litigation involving financial institutions for matters arising under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Fair Debt Collections Practices Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act as well as claims based upon state fair lending, debt collection and deceptive trade practice laws. Jim also supports corporate clients with contract review, due diligence and commercial lease review.
Experience
Representative matters
Representative matters
Involved in numerous cases arising from claims brought under federal fair lending and debt collection laws while simultaneously raising claims under state fair lending, debt collection and deceptive trade practice and tort laws.
Prepared motions for summary judgment, motions to dismiss and other motions submitted to federal and state courts nationwide.
Prevailed on a motion to dismiss in Pennsylvania wherein the homeowner argued that he had no financial obligation to the client because his mortgage was “paid off” when the original lender merely assigned the mortgage to the client.
Involved in numerous cases arising from claims brought under federal fair lending and debt collection laws while simultaneously raising claims under state fair lending, debt collection and deceptive trade practice and tort laws.
Prepared motions for summary judgment, motions to dismiss and other motions submitted to federal and state courts nationwide.
Prevailed on a motion to dismiss in Pennsylvania wherein the homeowner argued that he had no financial obligation to the client because his mortgage was “paid off” when the original lender merely assigned the mortgage to the client.
Represented large financial institution in litigation brought under Delaware’s UCC laws and other Delaware state laws resulting in a favorable settlement ending the litigation.
Reviewed and compiled documents of a financial institution to be used for deposition and trial preparation regarding banking, regulatory and securitization matters.
Reviewed and compiled documents of a medical device manufacturer to be used for deposition and trial preparation.
Assisted corporate client with review of commercial lease agreements.
Reviewed electronic documents to determine if brokerage employees were in compliance with FINRA rules and regulations.
Credentials
Education
Education
- Duquesne University School of Law, 1992, J.D., Trial Moot Court Competition
- Ohio University, 1986, B.S., Communications/Video Production, summa cum laude, Dean's List; Phi Kappa Phi
Professional admissions & qualifications
Professional admissions & qualifications
- Pennsylvania
Court admissions
Court admissions
- State Supreme Court - Pennsylvania