Events

IRELA CLE "Double-Header" June 13, 2012 No.1

Wednesday, June 13, 2012  8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

 

Speaker:  Tracy L. Kepler, Senior Counsel, ARDC, Chicago. 

8:00 a.m. "Live" Program

"Loan Modification: Problem, Prosecution and Prevention"

  

 

Plan to attend this timely seminar.

ARDC Notice: May 7, 2012 |Lawyers, particularly sole and small firm practitioners, are increasingly becoming the target of loan modification scammers seeking to recruit lawyers in an effort to circumvent state and federal legislation enacted to protect homeowners from unfair or deceptive practices, including a ban on the collection of upfront fees. Lawyers, however, are generally exempt from the legislation, and these companies are making considerable efforts to exploit this loophole by soliciting, employing and partnering with lawyers to provide purported loan modification services.

Nearly 40% of the consumer complaints against these purported "loan modification" companies reviewed by the Illinois Attorney General in 2010 had some lawyer involvement. The ARDC has also received many complaints about lawyers allegedly involved in loan modification scams and several lawyers are currently facing disciplinary prosecution by the ARDC. One attorney involved in loan modification has already been disbarred.

These relationships may violate the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct and could result in lawyer discipline. Do not risk your license. Recognize these fraudulent schemes for what they are - scams - and avoid giving assistance to these scam artists.

Illinois ARDC Senior Counsel Tracy L. Kepler has been focusing for some time on mortgage loan modification issues and addressing the scams that have been proliferating. This timely presentation addresses the issues raised by the ARDC's recent "Ethics Advisory" and will detail the ethical issues presented by loan modifications. Ms. Kepler will highlight both things you should avoid doing (e.g., don't share attorney fees with non-attorneys, do not fail to supervise non-attorney employees, don't distribute false or misleading advertisements, don't neglect client matters and don't improperly retain unearned fees), as well as how properly to do loan modifications in a manner that does not run afoul of the Rules of Professional Conduct.

 

 

 

When: Wednesday, June 13, 2012, at 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Where: Belvedere Events and Banquets | 1170 W. Devon, Elk Grove Village, IL | 847.534.0600

To access a map of the meeting location, click on:  Map

Attendance is Free for IRELA Member Attorneys in good standing.
(One hour of Professional MCLE Credit approved.)

Questions? call IRELA at (847) 593-5750, or call Valerie at 1-847-273-8700. Attendance at this seminar is limited to attorneys.

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