Edelman, Combs, Latturner & Goodwin, LLC
120 South LaSalle Street, 18th Floor
Chicago, IL 60603
Consumer Protection Lawyers
Know Your Rights
Consumers and investors whose rights have been violated turn to the experienced consumer protection lawyers of Edelman, Combs, Latturner & Goodwin, LLC. Consumers are invited to fax documents such as collection letters and loan documents to 312-419-0379 or contact us at 1-800-644-4673 or by email to schedule a consultation to discuss any of the following:
The consumer law firm of Edelman, Combs, Latturner & Goodwin, LLC, represents consumers and investors who have been injured by illegal conduct of:
- Mortgage companies
- Credit bureaus (consumer reporting agencies)
- Collection agencies and lawyers
- Banks
- Finance companies and other lenders
- Credit card issuers
- Insurance companies
- Automobile manufacturers and dealers
- Other businesses.
Potential clients are invited to compare their consumer legal concerns with the list of potential claims on this Web site. Consumer alerts, notices, and news offer further information regarding areas of consumer law advocacy by Edelman, Combs, Latturner & Goodwin, LLC. Examine a sampling of the legal opinions resulting from past cases handled by our firm. Click here to review the qualifications of the distinguished and accomplished consumer protection lawyers.of Edelman, Combs, Latturner & Goodwin, LLC.
Most cases handled by Edelman, Combs, Latturner & Goodwin, LLC, are taken on a contingency basis. Certain costs such as filing fees or appraisals may be the responsibility of the client. Contact an attorney at our firm through this Web site or by phone to schedule a consultation or document evaluation.
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Edelman, Combs, Latturner & Goodwin, L.L.C. represents injured consumers and investors. It brings both individual and class actions on behalf of people injured by illegal conduct of mortgage companies, credit bureaus (consumer reporting agencies), collection agencies and lawyers, banks, finance companies and other lenders, credit card issuers, insurance companies, automobile manufacturers and dealers, and other businesses.
The types of cases handled include predatory lending, interest overcharges and "junk fees" on mortgages, wrongful foreclosure of mortgages, actions to rescind mortgages, inaccurate credit reports, automobile cases involving breach of warranty, concealment of prior damage or prior use as rental car, and odometer rollbacks, and "bait and switch" practices. The firm also brings civil rights and discrimination cases involving fair housing and other economic issues.
Almost all cases are taken on a contingency. Prospective clients are sometimes asked to pay filing fees or the cost of an expert where necessary to evaluate their case (mainly automobile and home improvement cases).
PEOPLE
Edelman, Combs, Latturner & Goodwin, L.L.C. has five principals, Daniel A. Edelman, Cathleen M. Combs, James O. Latturner, Tara L. Goodwin, and Michelle R. Teggelaar, and 10 associates.
Principals
Daniel A. Edelman is a 1976 graduate of the University of Chicago Law School. From 1976 to 1981 he was an associate at the Chicago office of Kirkland & Ellis with heavy involvement in the defense of consumer class action litigation (such as the General Motors Engine Interchange cases). In 1981 he became an associate at Reuben & Proctor, a medium-sized firm formed by some former Kirkland & Ellis lawyers, and was made a partner there in 1982. From the end of 1985 he has been in private practice in downtown Chicago. Virtually all of his practice involves litigation on behalf of consumers.
Mr. Edelman is the author or coauthor of numerous publications on class actions and consumer protection law, including author of Predatory Lending and Potential Class Actions, ch. 6 of Illinois Mortgage Foreclosure Practice (IICLE 2003); Predatory Lending and Potential Class Actions, ch. 5 of Real Estate Litigation (IICLE 2004); Illinois Consumer Law, in Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and Related Areas Update (Chicago Bar Ass’n 2002); Predatory Lending Litigation in Illinois (2001); Consumer Class Action Manual (2d-5th editions), National Consumer Law Center 1990-2002; Payday Loans: Big Interest Rates and Little Regulation, 11 Loy.Consumer L.Rptr. 14 (1999); Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Update -- 1999, Chicago Bar Ass’n 1999; An Overview of The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, in Financial Services Litigation, Practicing Law Institute (1999); Consumer Fraud and Insurance Claims, in Bad Faith and Extracontractual Damage Claims in Insurance Litigation, Chicago Bar Ass'n 1992; Chapter 8, "Fair Debt Collection Practices Act," Ohio Consumer Law (1995 ed.); Fair Debt Collection: The Need for Private Enforcement, 7 Loy.Consumer L.Rptr. 89 (1995); The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: Recent Developments, 8 Loy.Consumer L. Rptr. 303 (1996); Residential Mortgage Litigation, in Financial Services Litigation, Practicing Law Institute (1996); Automobile Leasing: Problems and Solutions, 7 Loy.Consumer L.Rptr. 14 (1994); Current Trends in Residential Mortgage Litigation, 12 Rev. of Banking & Financial Services 71 (1996); Applicability of Illinois Consumer Fraud Act in Favor of Out-of-State Consumers, 8 Loy.Consumer L.Rptr. 27 (1996); Illinois Consumer Law (Chicago Bar Ass'n 1996).
Cathleen M. Combs is a 1976 graduate of Loyola University Law School. She formerly supervised the Northwest office of the Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago, where she was lead or co-counsel in class actions in the areas of unemployment compensation, prison law, social security law, and consumer law. She joined what is now Edelman, Combs, Latturner & Goodwin, L.L.C. in early 1991 as an associate. Decisions in which she was involved prior to joining the firm include: Johnson v. Heckler, 607 F.Supp. 875 (N.D.Ill. 1984), and 100 F.R.D. 70 (N.D.Ill. 1983); Sanders v. Shephard, 185 Ill.App.3d 719, 541 N.E.2d 1150 (1st Dist. 1989); Maller v. Cohen, 176 Ill.App.3d 987, 531 N.E.2d 1029 (1st Dist. 1988); Wright v. Department of Labor, 166 Ill.App.3d 438, 519 N.E.2d 1054 (1st Dist. 1988); Barron v. Ward, 165 Ill.App.3d 653, 517 N.E.2d 591 (1st Dist. 1987); City of Chicago v. Leviton, 137 Ill.App.3d 126, 484 N.E.2d 438 (1st Dist. 1985); Jude v. Morrissey, 117 Ill.App.3d 782, 454 N.E.2d 24 (1st Dist. 1983).
James O. Latturner is a 1962 graduate of the University of Chicago Law School. Until 1969, he was an associate and then a partner at the Chicago law firm of Berchem, Schwantes & Thuma. From 1969 to 1995 he was Deputy Director of the Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago, where he specialized in consumer law, including acting as lead counsel in over 30 class actions.
Mr. Latturner’s publications include Chapter 8 ("Defendants") in Federal Practice Manual for Legal Services Attorneys (M. Masinter, Ed., National Legal Aid and Defender Association 1989); Governmental Tort Immunity in Illinois, 55 Ill.B.J. 29 (1966); Illinois Should Explicitly Adopt the Per Se Rule for Consumer Fraud Act Violations, 2 Loy.Consumer L.Rep. 64 (1990), and Illinois Consumer Law (Chicago Bar Ass'n 1996). He has taught in a nationwide series of 18 Federal Practice courses sponsored by the Legal Services Corporation, each lasting four days and designed for attorneys with federal litigation experience. He has argued some 30 appeals, including two cases in the United States Supreme Court and two in the Illinois Supreme Court. Mr. Latturner was involved in many of the significant decisions establishing the rights of Illinois consumers.
Tara L. Goodwin , is a graduate of the University of Chicago (B.A., with honors, 1988) and Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago-Kent College of Law (J.D., with high honors, 1991). Order of the Coif. She began working for the firm upon graduation and was made a principal in 2000. Reported Cases: Williams v. Chartwell Finan. Svcs., 204 F.3d 748 (7th Cir. 2000); Bessette v. Avco Finan. Svcs., 230 F.3d 439 (1st Cir. 2000); Greenberg v. Republic Federal S. & L. Ass'n, 94 C 3789, 1995 WL 263457, 1995 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 5866 (N.D.Ill., May 1, 1995).
Michelle R. Teggelaar is a graduate of the University of Illinois (B.A., 1993), and Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology (J.D., with honors, 1997). She began working for the firm during law school and was made a principal in June 2004. Reported Cases: Johnson v. Revenue Management, 169 F.3d 1057 (7th Cir. 1999); Van Jackson v. Check’n Go, 123 F. Supp. 2d 1085 (N.D. Ill. 2000); Van Jackson v. Check’n Go, 114 F. Supp 2d 731 (N.D. Ill. 2000); Van Jackson v. Check’n Go, 193 F.R.D. 544 (N.D., Ill. 2000); Vines v. Sands, 188 F.R.D. 302 (N.D. Ill. 1999); Pinkett v. Moolah Loan Co., 99 C 2700, 1999 WL 1080596, 1999 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 17276 (N.D.Ill., Nov. 1, 1999); Miller v. Knepper & Moga, P.C., 99 C 3183, 1999 WL 977970, 1999 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 16362 (N.D.Ill., Oct. 21, 1999); Davis v. Commercial Check Control, Inc., 98 C 631, 1999 WL 89556, 1999 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1682 (N.D.Ill., Feb. 12, 1999); Veillard v. Mednick, 24 F. Supp 2d 863 (N.D. Ill. 1998).
ASSOCIATES
Francis R. Greene, admitted to bar, 2000, Illinois. Education: Johns Hopkins University (B.A. 1984); Rutgers University (Ph.D. 1991); Northwestern University School of Law (J.D. 2000).
Julie Clark, admitted to bar, 2000, Illinois. Education: Northern Illinois University (B.A., 1997); DePaul University Law School (J.D., 2000).
Heather Kolbus, admitted to bar, 2002, Illinois and Connecticut. Education: DePaul University (B.S. 1997), Roger Williams University School of Law (J.D.2002).
Thomas E. Soule, admitted to bar, 2003, Wisconsin, 2004, Illinois. Education: Stanford University (B.A., 2000), University of Wisconsin Law School (J.D., 2003).
Cassandra P. Miller is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Madison (B.A. 2001) and John Marshall Law School (J.D.2006).
Tiffany N. Harding (admitted NY, DC, ND, IL) is a graduate of Tuskegee University (B.A. 1998) and Syracuse University College of Law (J.D. 2001).
Zachary A. Jacobs is a graduate of the University of South Dakota (B.S. 2002) and Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology (J.D. 2007).
Rupali R. Shah is a graduate of the University of Chicago (B.A. 2004) and University of Illinois College of Law (J.D. 2007).
Michael J. Aschenbrener is a graduate of the University of Minnesota (B.A. 2001) and the Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology (J.D. May 2007).
The firm also has 15 legal assistants, as well as other support staff.
CASES
Since its inception, the firm has recovered more than $500 million for consumers. The types of cases handled by the firm are illustrated by the following:
1. Predatory lending practices: The firm has brought numerous cases challenging predatory mortgage and "payday" lending practices. Livingston v. Fast Cash USA, Inc., 753 N.E.2d 572 (Ind. Sup. Ct. 2001);Williams v. Chartwell Fin. Servs., 204 F.3d 748 (7th Cir. 2000); Parker v. 1-800 Bar None, a Financial Corp., Inc., 01 C 4488, 2002 WL 215530 (N.D.Ill., Feb 12, 2002); Gilkey v. Central Clearing Co., 202 F.R.D. 515 (E.D.Mich. 2001);Van Jackson v. Check 'N Go of Ill., Inc., 114 F.Supp.2d 731 (N.D.Ill. 2000), later opinion, 193 F.R.D. 544 (N.D.Ill. 2000), 123 F.Supp. 2d 1079 (N.D.Ill. 2000), later opinion, 123 F.Supp. 2d 1085 (N.D.Ill. 2000); Henry v. Cash Today, Inc., 199 F.R.D. 566 (S.D.Tex. 2000); Donnelly v. Illini Cash Advance, Inc., 00 C 94, 2000 WL 1161076, 2000 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 11906 (N.D.Ill., Aug. 14, 2000); Jones v. Kunin, 2000 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 6380 (S.D.Ill., May 1, 2000); Davis v. Cash for Payday, 193 F.R.D. 518 (N.D.Ill. 2000); Reese v. Hammer Fin. Corp., 99 C 716, 1999 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 18812, 1999 WL 1101677(N.D.Ill., Nov. 29, 1999); Pinkett v. Moolah Loan Co., 99 C 2700, 1999 WL 1080596, 1999 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 17276 (N.D.Ill., Nov. 1, 1999); Guitierrez v. Devon Fin. Servs., 99 C 2647, 1999 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 18696 (N.D.Ill., Oct. 6, 1999); Vance v. National Benefit Ass'n, 99 C 2627, 1999 WL 731764, 1999 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 13846 (N.D.Ill., Aug. 26, 1999); Smith v. Keycorp Mtge., Inc., 151 B.R.870 (N.D.Ill. 1992); Armstrong v. Edelson, 718 F.Supp. 1372 (N.D.Ill. 1989); Newman v. 1st 1440 Investment, Inc., 89 C 6708, 1990 WL125369, 1990 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 10989 (N.D.Ill. Aug. 21, 1990); Source One Mortgage Services Corp. v. Jones, 88 C 8441, 1994 WL 13664, 1994 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 333 (N.D.Ill., Jan. 13, 1994); DeLeon v. Beneficial Const. Co., 998 F.Supp. 859 (N.D.Ill. 1998), later opinion, 55 F.Supp.2d 819 (N.D.Ill. 1999); Hastings v. Fidelity Mortg. Decisions Corp., 984 F.Supp. 600 (N.D.Ill. 1997).
2. Mortgage charges and servicing practices: The firm has been involved in dozens of cases complaining of illegal charges on mortgages and improper servicing practices. Decisions in these cases include: Christakos v. Intercounty Title Co., 196 F.R.D. 496 (N.D.Ill. 2000); Johnstone v. Bank of America, N.A., 173 F.Supp.2d 809 (N.D.Ill. 2001); Leon v. Washington Mut. Bank, F.A., 164 F.Supp.2d 1034 (N.D.Ill. 2001);Williamson v. Advanta Mortg. Corp., 99 C 4784, 1999 WL 1144940, 1999 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 16374 (N.D.Ill., Oct. 5, 1999); McDonald v. Washington Mut. Bank, F.A., 99 C 6884, 2000 WL 875416, 2000 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 11496 (N.D.Ill., June 22, 2000); Metmor Financial, Inc. v. Eighth Judicial District Court, No. 23848 (Nev.Sup.Ct., Apr. 27, 1993); GMAC Mtge. Corp. v. Stapleton, 236 Ill.App.3d 486, 603 N.E.2d 767 (1st Dist. 1992), leave to appeal denied, 248 Ill.2d 641, 610 N.E.2d 1262 (1993); Leff v. Olympic Fed. S. & L. Ass'n, 86 C 3026, 1986 WL 10636 (N.D.Ill. 1986), later opinion, 1987 WL 12921, 1987 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 5589 (N.D.Ill. 1987); Aitken v. Fleet Mtge. Corp., 90 C 3708, 1991 WL 152533, 1991 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 10420 (N.D.Ill. 1991), later opinion, 1992 WL 33926, 1992 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 1687 (N.D.Ill., Feb. 12, 1992); Poindexter v. National Mtge. Corp., 91 C 4223, 94 C 5814, 1991 WL 278454, 1991 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 19643 (N.D.Ill., Dec. 23, 1991), later opinion, 1995 WL 242287, 1995 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 5396 (N.D.Ill., April 24, 1995); Sanders v. Lincoln Service Corp., 91 C 4542,1993 WL 112543, 1993 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 4454 (N.D.Ill. 1993); Robinson v. Empire of America Realty Credit Corp., 90 C 5063, 1991 WL 26593, 1991 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 2084 (N.D.Ill., Feb. 20, 1991); In re Mortgage Escrow Deposit Litigation, M.D.L. 899, 1994 WL 496707, 1994 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 12746 (N.D.Ill., Sept. 8, 1994); Greenberg v. Republic Federal S. & L. Ass'n, 94 C 3789, 1995 WL 263457, 1995 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 5866 (N.D.Ill., May 1, 1995).
The recoveries in the escrow overcharge cases alone are over $250 million. Leff was the seminal case on mortgage escrow overcharges. The escrow litigation had a substantial effect on industry practices, resulting in limitations on the amounts which mortgage companies held in escrow.
3. Automobile sales and financing practices: The firm has brought many cases challenging practices relating to automobile sales and financing, including:
a. Misrepresentation of amounts disbursed for extended warranties. Taylor v. Quality Hyundai, Inc., 150 F.3d 689 (7th Cir. 1998); Gibson v. Bob Watson Chevrolet-Geo, 112 F.3d 283 (7th Cir. 199); Grimaldi v. Webb, 282 Ill.App.3d 174, 668 N.E.2d 39 (1st Dist. 1996), leave to appeal denied, 169 Ill.2d 566 (1996); Slawson v. Currie Motors Lincoln Mercury, Inc., 94 C 2177, 1995 WL 22716, 1995 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 451 (N.D.Ill., Jan. 5, 1995); Cirone-Shadow v. Union Nissan, Inc., 94 C 6723, 1995 WL 51547, 1995 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 1379 (N.D.Ill., Feb. 3, 1995), later opinion, 1995 WL 238680, 1995 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 5232 (N.D.Ill., April 20, 1995) (same); Chandler v. Southwest Jeep-Eagle, Inc., 162 F.R.D. 302 (N.D.Ill. 1995); Shields v. Lefta, Inc., 888 F.Supp. 891 (N.D.Ill. 1995).
These cases also had a substantial effect on industry practices. The warranty cases, such as Grimaldi, Gibson, Slawson, Cirone-Shadow, Chandler, and Shields, resulted in the Federal Reserve Board's revision of applicable disclosure requirements, so as to prevent car dealers from representing that the charge for an extended warranty was being disbursed to a third party when that was not in fact the case.
b. Improper finance charge computations. Zwayer v. Ford Motor Credit Co., 279 Ill.App.3d 906, 665 N.E.2d 843 (1st Dist. 1996).
c. Spot delivery/ "bait and switch"/ "yo-yo" sales. Diaz v. Westgate Lincoln Mercury, Inc., 1994 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 16300 (N.D.Ill. 1994); Cardenas v. Classic Chevrolet, Inc., 00 C 2020, 2000 WL 1672317, 2000 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 16873 (N.D.Ill. Nov. 2, 2000); Grimaldi v. Webb, 282 Ill.App.3d 174, 668 N.E.2d 39 (1st Dist. 1996), leave to appeal denied, 169 Ill.2d 566 (1996).
d. Force placed insurance. Bermudez v. First of America Bank Champion, N.A., 860 F.Supp. 580 (N.D.Ill. 1994); Travis v. Boulevard Bank, 93 C 6847, 1994 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 14615 (N.D.Ill., Oct. 13, 1994), modified, 880 F.Supp. 1226 (N.D.Ill., 1995); Moore v. Fidelity Financial Services, Inc., 884 F. Supp. 288 (N.D.Ill. 1995).
e. Improper obligation of cosigners. Lee v. Nationwide Cassell, 174 Ill.2d 540, 675 N.E.2d 599 (1996); Taylor v. Trans Acceptance Corp., 267 Ill.App.3d 562, 641 N.E.2d 907 (1st Dist. 1994), leave to appeal denied, 159 Ill.2d 581, 647 N.E.2d 1017 (1995).
f. Sale of defective vehicles. Lipinski v. Martin J. Kelly Oldsmobile, Inc., 325 Ill.App.3d 1139, 759 N.E.2d 66 (1st Dist. 2001).
g. Evasion of FTC holder rule. Brown v. LaSalle Northwest Nat'l Bank, 148 F.R.D. 584 (N.D.Ill. 1993), 820 F.Supp. 1078 (N.D.Ill. 1993), and 92 C 8392, 1993 WL 313563, 1993 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 11419 (N.D.Ill., Aug. 13, 1993).
4. Other consumer credit issues: The firm has also brought a number of other Truth in Lending and consumer credit cases, involving such issues as:
a. The McCarran Ferguson Act exemption. Autry v. Northwest Premium Services, Inc., 144 F.3d 1037 (7th Cir. 1998).
b. Loan flipping. Emery v. American General, 71 F.3d 1343 (7th Cir. 1995); Chandler v. American General Finance, Inc., 2002 WL 464909 (Ill.App., 1st Dist. 2002). Emery and Chandler limited the pernicious practice of "loan flipping," in which consumers are solicited for new loans and are then refinanced, with "short" credits for unearned finance charges and insurance premiums being given through use of the "Rule of 78s."
c. Home improvement financing practices. Fidelity Financial Services, Inc. v. Hicks, 214 Ill.App.3d 398, 574 N.E.2d 15 (1st Dist. 1991), leave to appeal denied, 141 Ill.2d 539, 580 N.E.2d 112; Heastie v. Community Bank of Greater Peoria, 690 F.Supp. 716 (N.D.Ill. 1989), later opinion, 125 F.R.D. 669 (N.D.Ill. 1990), later opinions, 727 F.Supp. 1133 (N.D.Ill. 1990), and 727 F.Supp. 1140 (N.D.Ill. 1990). Heastie granted certification of a class of over 6,000 in a home improvement fraud case.
d. Arbitration clauses. Wrightson v. ITT Financial Services, 617 So.2d 334 (Fla. 1st DCA 1993).
e. Insurance packing. Elliott v. ITT Corp., 764 F.Supp. 102 (N.D.Ill. 1990), later opinion, 150 B.R. 36 (N.D.Ill. 1992).
5. Automobile leases: The firm has brought a number of a cases alleging illegal charges and improper disclosures on automobile leases. Decisions in these cases include Lundquist v. Security Pacific Automotive Financial Services Corp., Civ. No. 5:91-754 (TGFD) (D.Conn.), aff'd, 993 F.2d 11 (2d Cir. 1993); Kedziora v. Citicorp Nat'l Services, Inc., 780 F.Supp. 516 (N.D.Ill. 1991), later opinion, 844 F.Supp. 1289 (N.D.Ill. 1994), later opinion, 883 F.Supp. 1144 (N.D.Ill. 1995), later opinion, 1995 WL 506061, 1995 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 12137 (N.D.Ill., Aug. 18, 1995), later opinion, 1995 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 14054 (N.D.Ill., Sept. 25, 1995); Johnson v. Steven Sims Subaru and Subaru Leasing, 92 C 6355, 1993 WL 761231, 1993 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 8078 (N.D.Ill., June 9, 1993), and 1993 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 11694 (N.D.Ill., August 20, 1993); McCarthy v. PNC Credit Corp., 1992 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 21719 (D.Conn., May 27, 1992); Kinsella v. Midland Credit Mgmt., Inc., 91 C 8014, 1992 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 1405, 1992 WL 26908 (N.D.Ill. 1992); Highsmith v. Chrysler Credit Corp., 18 F.3d 434 (7th Cir. 1994); Black v. Mitsubishi Motors Credit of America, Inc., 94 C 3055, 1994 WL 424112, 1994 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 11158 (N.D.Ill., August 10, 1994); Simon v. World Omni Leasing Inc., 146 F.R.D. 197 (S.D.Ala. 1992).
Lundquist and Highsmith are leading cases; both held that commonly-used lease forms violated the Consumer Leasing Act. As a result of the Lundquist case, the Federal Reserve Board completely revamped the disclosure requirements applicable to auto leases, resulting in vastly improved disclosures to consumers.
6. Collection practices: The firm has brought numerous cases under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Decisions in these cases include: Heintz v. Jenkins, 514 U.S. 291 (1995), aff'g, 25 F.3d 536 (7th Cir. 1994); Boyd v. Wexler, 275 F.3d 642 (7thCir. 2001); Miller v. McCalla, Raymer, Padrick, Cobb, Nichols, & Clark, L.L.C., 214 F.3d 872 (7th Cir. 2000); Johnson v. Revenue Management Corp., 169 F.3d 1057 (7th Cir. 1999); Keele v. Wexler & Wexler, 95 C 3483, 1996 WL 124452,1996 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 3253 (N.D.Ill., March 18, 1996) (class), 1995 WL 549048,1995 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 13215 (N.D.Ill. 1995) (merits), aff'd, 149 F.3d 589 (7th Cir. 1998); Mace v. Van Ru Credit Corp., 109 F.3d 338 (7th Cir. 1997); Maguire v. Citicorp Retail Services, Inc., 147 F.3d 232(2d Cir. 1998); Young v. Citicorp Retail Services, Inc., 159 F.3d 1349, 1998 WL 537530, 1998 U.S.App. LEXIS 20268 (2d Cir. 1998); Charles v. Lundgren & Assocs., P.C., 119 F.3d 739 (9th Cir. 1997); Avila v. Rubin, 84 F.3d 222 (7th Cir. 1996), aff'g Avila v. Van Ru Credit Corp., 94 C 3234, 1995 WL 22866, 1995 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 461 (N.D.Ill., Jan. 10, 1995), later opinion, 1995 WL 55255,1995 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 1502 (N.D.Ill., Feb. 6, 1995), later opinion, 1995 WL 649101, 1995 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 17117 (N.D.Ill., Nov. 14, 1995);Tolentino v. Friedman, 833 F.Supp. 697 (N.D.Ill. 1993), aff'd in part and rev'd in part, 46 F.3d 645 (7th Cir. 1995); Woolley v. Krisor & Assocs., 2000 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 7069 (S.D.Ind., May 15, 2000); Miller v. Knepper & Moga, P.C., 99 C 3183, 1999 WL 977970, 1999 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 16362 (N.D.Ill., Oct. 21, 1999); Shaver v. Trauner, Civ. A. 97-1309,1998 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 19648 (C.D.Ill., July 31, 1998); Blakemore v. Pekay, 895 F.Supp. 972 (N.D.Ill. 1995); Oglesby v. Rotche, 93 C 4183, 1993 WL 460841,1993 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 15687 (N.D.Ill., Nov. 4, 1993), later opinion, 1994 WL 142867, 1994 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 4866 (N.D.Ill., April 15, 1994); Laws v. Cheslock, 98 C 6403, 1999 WL 160236, 1999 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 3416 (N.D.Ill., Mar. 8, 1999); Davis v. Commercial Check Control, Inc., 98 C 631, 1999 WL 89556,1999 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1682 (N.D.Ill., Feb. 12, 1999); Ozkaya v. Telecheck Services, Inc., 982 F.Supp. 578 (N.D.Ill.1997);Hoffman v. Partners in Collections, Inc., 93 C 4182, 1993 WL 358158, 1993 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 12702 (N.D.Ill., Sept. 15, 1993); Vaughn v. CSC Credit Services, Inc., 93 C 4151, 1994 WL 449247, 1994 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 2172 (N.D.Ill., March 1, 1994), adopted, 1995 WL 51402, 1995 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 1358 (N.D.Ill., Feb. 3, 1995).
Jenkins v. Heintz is a leading decision regarding the liability of attorneys under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Mr. Edelman argued it before the Supreme Court and Seventh Circuit. Avila v. Rubin is a leading decision on phony "attorney letters."
7. Class action procedure: Important decisions include Crawford v. Equifax Payment Services, Inc., 201 F.3d 877 (7th Cir. 2000); Blair v. Equifax Check Services, Inc., 181 F.3d 832 (7th Cir. 1999); Mace v. Van Ru Credit Corp., 109 F.3d 338, 344 (7th Cir. 1997); and Gordon v. Boden, 224 Ill.App.3d 195, 586 N.E.2d 461 (1st Dist. 1991).Gordon v. Boden is the first decision approving "fluid recovery" in an Illinois class action.
8. Bankruptcy: Cathleen M. Combs successfully argued the first Court of Appeals case to hold that a bankruptcy debtor induced to pay a discharged debt by means of an invalid reaffirmation agreement may sue to recover the payment. Bessette v. Avco Financial Services, 230 F.3d 439 (1st Cir. 2000).The firm has brought other actions on behalf of bankruptcy debtors as well, including the Sears reaffirmation case.
9. Landlord-tenant: The firm has brought several class actions against landlords for failing to pay interest on security deposits or commingling security deposits. Decisions include Dickson v. West Koke Mill Village Partners, 329 Ill.App.3d 341, 769 N.E.2d 971 (4th Dist. 2002).
10. Some of the other reported decisions in our cases include: Elder v. Coronet Ins. Co., 201 Ill.App.3d 733, 558 N.E.2d 1312 (1st Dist. 1990); Mountain States Tel. & Tel. Co. v. District Court, 778 P.2d 667 (Colo. 1989); Disher v. Fulgoni, 124 Ill.App.3d 257, 464 N.E.2d 639, 643 (1st Dist. 1984); Harman v. Lyphomed, Inc., 122 F.R.D. 522 (N.D.Ill. 1988); andHaslam v. Lefta, Inc., 1992 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 3623 (N.D.Ill., March 25, 1994).
11. Elder v. Coronet Insurance held that an insurance company's reliance on lie detectors to process claims was an unfair and deceptive trade practice.
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The consumer protection and class action lawyers of Edelman, Combs, Latturner & Goodwin, LLC, represent clients throughout Illinois, and in Federal Courts in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan, and will consider substantial cases in other jurisdictions.
