Blaec Croft Email & Phone Number

Pittsburgh

Seasoned legal adviser providing effective problem solving and mitigation strategies to clients to resolve issues facing their lines of business, including litigation risk, statutory compliance, and regulatory questions. Represent consumer finance companies and lenders in a high volume litigation practice nationwide, with a focus on responding to consumer disputes and building resolutions for claims (including class actions) involving breach of contract, fraud, negligence, unauthorized wires, and violation of consumer protection statutes, such as EFTA, FCRA, FDCPA, TCPA, TILA, and the U.C.C., along with state law counterparts. Responsible for managing the entire case lifecycle, including pitching new work, risk analysis, proposing litigation options, negotiation strategy, discovery, and resolution. Build relationships with stakeholders, including clients, lines of business, consumers, and opposing counsel, through effective communications to achieve goals. Interpret statutory and regulatory guidelines, emerging litigation trends, and case law to provide clients concise advice to help them reach their objectives. Proactively make recommendations to clients regarding lessons from litigation and potential impacts on business practices. Problem solve issues facing clients and coordinate implementation of solutions to reduce risk, including reducing litigation expenses and exposure from business practices. Interpret, negotiate, and draft contracts to assist clients meet their obligations while minimizing risk. Thrive in a fast paced and deadline focused environment, resolving approximately 100 cases per year.

Greater Pittsburgh Area

Practice focused on financial services litigation, including actions involving breach of contract and fraud, in addition to statutory violations regarding the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Truth in Lending Act, Telephone Consumer Protection Act as well as state consumer protection statutes. Analytical approach designed to create a litigation plan centered around meeting the client's objective. In addition, I've worked supporting the in-house legal department of a large financial institution, managing and defending a portfolio of mortgage-related litigation. I performed all functions of an in-house counsel, including overseeing more than 150 matters, developing strategy and settlement recommendations, supervising outside counsel, and coordinating with client decision-makers from various lines of business. This valuable experience helps to provide a useful foundation when working with financial institutions and understanding how best to assist them.

• Solely managed all aspects of litigation for clients, including: drafting pleadings; conducting discovery; preparing clients for depositions; handling pre-trial and arbitration hearings. • Responsible for the management of approximately forty active litigation cases concurrent with managing roughly the same number of cases not actively being litigated. • Developed and implemented case strategies based upon client needs and overall impact of cases. • Responsible for all client contact, including: explanation of law and case strategies; preparation for hearings and depositions; and assessment of case. • Represented hospitals in resolving contractual insurance payment disputes through appeals and litigation, resulting in a recovery of more than $13,000,000 over four years. • Coordinated cases with multiple parties in other jurisdictions, including clients and local counsel.

Juris Doctor, Law

Ba, Political Science

Education record