Minneapolis, MN 55402-3707
Phone: 612.333.3000
Fax: 612.333.8829
Bassford Remele is a full service litigation firm located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded in 1882, the firm represents local, national and international clients in all areas of civil litigation and dispute resolution.
Professional Liability
Federal Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
Bassford Remele routinely represents credit and collection professionals in professional liability litigation.
Representative/Published Case: Schmitt v. FMA Alliance, 398 F.3d 995 (8th Cir. 2005). Bassford Remele’s client, a collection agency, was assigned to collect a debt for a creditor client who had been put on notice that the debtor was represented by a lawyer. The debtor sued, alleging that the FDCPA requires collectors to communicate only with the debtor’s lawyer when they know the consumer is represented, and that even though the agency was not given direct notice, its client’s knowledge of the representation should have been imputed to the agency. The court affirmed the summary judgment granted to our client holding that the creditor’s knowledge is not be imputed to the collector. The case was dismissed the case in its entirety.
Representative/Published Case: Strand v. Diversified Collection Serv., Inc., 380 F.3d 316 (8th Cir. 2004). Strand commenced a lawsuit against a debt collection agency claiming a violation of the FDCPA. Plaintiff alleged the envelopes transmitting collection notices contained language and/or symbols other than the debt collection’s name and address. The district court concluded the language and symbol on the envelope were “benign” and in no way disclosed that the contents concerned the collection of a debt. The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of the case.
Representative Client: ACA International – association of collection professionals, asset buyers, attorneys, creditors and vendors in more than 55 countries.
Representative Clients: The Travelers Companies, Westport Insurance, and Chubb Group of Insurance Companies - insurers providing coverage for credit and collection professionals.
Bassford Remele Lawyers: Michael A. Klutho, Christopher R. Morris, Kelly A. Putney, Mark D. Covin, Jessica Schulte Williams, David A. Turner, Mark R. Bradford, and Margaret E. Noubissie.