The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit recently held that a purported defect in the assignment of a security instrument — that it was executed solely as “nominee,” and not as beneficiary – did not affect the rights of the beneficiary and its…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit recently affirmed the dismissal of consolidated putative class action cases against mortgage loan servicers and an insurance company, holding that the filed-rate doctrine barred the plaintiffs’ claims. A copy of the opinion in Pankaj Patel, et…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit held that a statement in a letter to the effect that forgiveness of the debt “might” be reported to the Internal Revenue Service may constitute a violation of the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit recently rejected an attempt by homeowners to collaterally attack a state court mortgage foreclosure judgment, affirming the trial court’s dismissal of an amended complaint with prejudice for failure to state a claim, but on alternative grounds.…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit held that a plaintiff could not defeat federal jurisdiction under the Class Action Fairness Act based on a pre-class certification damages stipulation limiting attorney’s fees to ensure that the amount in controversy remained under CAFA’s $5…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently held that the term automatic telephone dialing system (“ATDS”), as defined by the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act, includes devices that store telephone numbers to be called, “whether or not those numbers have been generated…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit held that 12 U.S.C. § 1715z-20(j) did not alter or limit the lender’s right to foreclose under the terms of the valid reverse mortgage contract where the non-borrower spouse was still living in the home. Accordingly,…
In a dispute over surplus funds from a judicial foreclosure property sale, the Florida Supreme Court recently held that a subordinate lienholder’s claim to surplus funds — filed 61 days after the public auction — was timely and superior to the claim of the former…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently reversed a trial court’s order remanding a putative class action lawsuit to state court on the ground that the defendant removing party failed to prove that the amount in controversy exceeded $5 million, as required…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit recently affirmed summary judgment in favor of a bank that was sued by a putative class alleging discriminatory employment practices that supposedly violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Iowa Civil…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit held that a civil investigative demand (CID) issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau did not adequately advise the respondent of the nature of the conduct constituting the alleged violation under investigation and the provision of…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit recently held that a consumer waived his right under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) to cease further communications by calling the debt collector and asking questions about the underlying debt. A copy of…