Considerations for the Inclusion of CRAs in Furnisher Cases

What You Will Learn

• Determine whom to sue and how to best settle cases that include both CRA and furnisher violations

Speakers

Barry S. Balmuth was lead counsel for the plaintiffs in cases that resulted in the largest recovery in an inverse condemnation action in Florida ($42 million after a successful liability trial) and the third-largest individual verdict under the FCRA ($3.55 million). He is board certified by the Florida Bar in both civil trial law and business litigation. He obtained JD and MBA degrees from Emory University in 1990. He focuses his practice on property rights, consumer rights, and other civil litigation.

Jade Brown is a Clinical Instructor in the Civil Litigation & Access to Justice Clinic at Boston University School of Law. Jade teaches the art of lawyering in this clinic, where students practice employment, housing, and family law in the context of analyzing issues of systemic justice. She also co-teaches the Access to Justice Seminar, where she examines some of the forces that limit access to justice including poverty, racism, gender bias, LGBTQIA+ discrimination and the intersectionality of marginalized identities. Previously, Jade was a Staff Attorney at Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS), where she represented consumers in a variety of cases including eviction, foreclosure, debt collection, credit reporting and fraud cases. Jade is a graduate of Boston University School of Law.

Andrew Guzzo’s practice focuses exclusively on representing consumers, with an emphasis on litigation against internet lenders, credit reporting agencies, and debt collectors. Andrew has litigated more than a dozen cases related to Internet lending. These cases have involved each of the major players in the industry, including lenders, investors, architects of the rent-a-tribe scheme, tribal officials, specialized credit reporting agencies, and lead generators. His peers have recognized him as a Rising Star for the past three years and he serves as the state chair for Hawaii for the National Association of Consumer Advocates.