33 South Sixth Street, Suite 3800
Minneapolis, MN 55402-3707
Phone: 612.333.3000
Fax: 612.333.8829
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)
Publications and Seminars Taught
Publications and Articles:
- FDCPA and FCRA, Housing Law in Minnesota Seminar, Minnesota CLE, May 21, 2007 (Michael A. Klutho)
- The FDCPA and FCRA in Review, Legal Malpractice & Risk Management Annual Conference, March 7, 2007 (Michael A. Klutho)
- FDCPA Tripwires: Where Are They and How Might You Avoid Them?, Hennepin County Bar Association, February 21, 2007 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Legal Liability Under FDCPA, FCRA, Gramm Leach Bliley and HIPAA, CPCU Society Symposium, April 19, 2006 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Issues in State Collection Laws; Avoiding the Common Traps, ACA International, Inc. Teleseminar, August 24, 2005 (Michael A. Klutho and J.N. Brown)
- State Collection Issues, ACA International, Inc. Annual Convention, Washington, D.C., July 21, 2005 (Michael A. Klutho)
- The Ins and Outs of Check Collection, ACA International, Inc. Joint Programs Conference, November 5, 2004 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Defending a Debt Collection Practices Act Claim (a/k/a Risk Management Tips for Collection Attorneys), Hennepin County Bar Association Creditor-Debtor CLE, April 21, 2004 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Legal Risks in the Check Industry & How to Attack Them, ACA International, Inc., April 3, 2003 (Michael A. Klutho and Christopher R. Morris)
- Hot Topics in Debt Collection, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, January 24, 2002 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Gramm Leach Bliley Act (GLB) and Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), National Association of Retail Collection Attorneys, October 13, 2001 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Attorney Liability, Damages, and Privacy Issues Facing Collections Professionals, Lorman Education Services, December 2000 (Christopher R. Morris)
- Privacy Issues Facing Collections Professionals, American Collectors Association Annual International Convention & Exposition Presentation Paper, July 2000 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Compliance and Contract Issues in “Pre-Collection” and Billing Services, American Collectors Association, July 2000 (Michael A. Klutho and Christopher R. Morris)
- Invasion of Privacy Tort Rarely Applies to Debt Collection, MAP Bulletin, American Collectors Association, August 1999 (Michael A. Klutho
- Healthcare Subrogation: Business Opportunities and Legal Concerns, American Collectors Association, March 1999 (Michael A. Klutho and Christopher R. Morris)
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: A Legal Update, Hennepin County Bar Association, Debtor/Creditor Committee Meeting, December 1998 (Michael A. Klutho and Christopher R. Morris)
- Legal Concerns For Creditors When Collecting Debt and Effective Utilization of Collection Agencies MMGMA Seminar, September 1998 (Michael A. Klutho and Christopher R. Morris)
- Contracting With Your Creditor Client: Points To Consider. American Collectors Association Annual International Convention & Exposition Presentation Paper, June 1998 (Michael A. Klutho and Christopher R. Morris)
- The Fair Debt Collections Practices Act: Hot Topics In Litigation, Minnesota Unit, American Collectors Association Presentation Paper, May 1998 (Michael A. Klutho and Christopher R. Morris)
- Upsurge in FDCPA Claims Against Attorneys Highlights the Need for “Meaningful Involvement” of Attorneys for the Collection Process, Minnesota Lawyers Mutual View, February 1998 (Christopher R. Morris)
- A Look At The Legal Implications of Agency/Attorney Relationships, Collector Magazine, American Collectors Association, December, 1997 (Christopher R. Morris and Aimee Bissonette)
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: How To Reduce Your Exposure and Avoid Lawsuits, Minnesota Minnesota Institute of Legal Education Seminar, November 1997 (Michael A. Klutho and Christopher R. Morris)
- Partners In Law? An Examination of Creditor Liability Under the FDCPA, Collector Magazine, American Collectors Association, June 1997 (Michael A. Klutho and Christopher R. Morris)
- Debtor Attempts To Extend Fair Debt Collection Act Liability To Creditors, American Collectors Association, MAP Bulletin, February 1997 (Michael A. Klutho and Christopher R. Morris)
- FDCPA Claims and Lawsuits: Beware of Bankruptcies, American Collectors Association, MAP Bulletin, December 1996 (Michael A. Klutho and Christopher R. Morris)
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: Avoiding Malpractice (Ethical Considerations). Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Presentation Paper, June 1996 (Michael A. Klutho and Christopher R. Morris)
- What You Should Know About the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Minnesota Lawyers Mutual View, April, 1995 (Christopher R. Morris)
Seminars Taught:
- Working with Regulatory Bodies, Collection Law Summit, Current Events & Trends, Cases & Commentary, Hennepin County Bar Association, Debtor and Creditor Section, June 16, 2010 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Attorney Panel – Latest Cases and Issues, Minnesota Association of Collectors & Wisconsin Collectors Association, Annual Conference, Red Wing, Minnesota, May 21, 2010
- Top 10 Ways to Avoid Agency Litigation, ACA International, Inc. Teleseminar, May 7, 2010 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Attorney Panel, Annual State Unit Meeting of Missouri, Illinois, and Iowa Collectors Association, Normal, Illinois, April 23, 2010 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Q&A Attorney Panel, Minnesota Association of Collectors Annual Fall Conference, Brainerd, Minnesota, September 10, 2009 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Opposing Class Certification Panel, ACA International, Inc. Annual Convention, MAP Legal Education Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada, July 15, 2009 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Hot Topics General Session, ACA International, Inc. Annual Convention, MAP Legal Education Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada, July 14, 2009 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Play Your Cards Right: Recent Case Law and Hot Topics to Ensure Compliance with FDCPA, TCPA and FCRA, ACA International, Inc. Annual Convention, Las Vegas, Nevada, July 13, 2009 (Michael A. Klutho)
- MAP Attorney Panel, Minnesota Association of Collectors and Wisconsin Collectors Association Joint Meeting, La Crosse, Wisconsin, May 20-22, 2009 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Risk Management Topics for Collection Agencies, Missouri Collectors Association Annual Meeting, St. Louis, Missouri, April 9, 2009 (Michael A. Klutho)
- FDCPA Case Law Updates, North Dakota State Collectors Unit, October 2008 (Christopher R. Morris)
- Q&A Attorney Panel, Minnesota Association of Collectors Annual Fall Conference, Duluth, Minnesota, September 12, 2008
- Negative Reporting and Adverse Actions Under the FCRA, 12th Annual Members Attorney Program Legal Education Conference, Hollywood, Florida, July 26, 2008 (Christopher R. Morris)
- Technology and the FDCPA, 12th Annual Members Attorney Program Legal Education Conference, Hollywood, Florida, July 25, 2008 (Michael A. Klutho)
- View FDCPA Claims with Open Eyes, ACA International, Inc. Teleseminar, July 17, 2008 (Michael A. Klutho)
- MAP Attorney Panel, Minnesota Association of Collectors & Wisconsin Collectors' Association 2008 Annual Conference, Red Wing, Minnesota, May 7, 2008 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Winning Collection Lawsuits: Nuts & Bolts, Collection Advisor Tech’07 Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada, November 8, 2007 (Michael A. Klutho)
- FDCPA Issues for Owners, ACA International, Inc. U.S. Department of the Treasury Seminar, Washington, D.C., July 10, 2007 (Michael A. Klutho)
- FDCPA Facts, Fiction and Reality, ACA International, Inc. U.S. Department of the Treasury Seminar, Washington, D.C., July 9, 2007 (Michael A. Klutho)
- FDCPA and FCRA, Housing Law in Minnesota Seminar, Minnesota CLE, May 21, 2007 (Michael A. Klutho and Christopher R. Morris)
- Risk Management Issues, Michigan Association of Collection Agencies, May 17, 2007 and May 19, 2005 (Christopher R. Morris)
- The FDCPA and FCRA in Review, Legal Malpractice & Risk Management Annual Conference, Chicago, Illinois, March 7, 2007 (Michael A. Klutho)
- FDCPA Tripwires: Where Are They and How Might You Avoid Them? Hennepin County Bar Association, February 21, 2007 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Defending Class Actions, ACA International, Inc. Annual Convention, MAP Legal Education Conference, San Diego, California, July 10, 2006 (Michael A. Klutho)
- FDCPA Mock Trial, ACA International, Inc. Annual Convention, MAP Legal Education Conference, San Diego, California, July 10, 2006 (Michael A. Klutho)
- FDCPA: Issues for Owners, ACA International, Inc. Annual Convention, San Diego, California, July 9, 2006 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Litigation Wins and Worries; Hot Compliance Issues of the Year, ACA International, Inc. Teleseminar, June 27, 2006 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Q&A Attorney Panel, Minnesota Association of Collectors & Wisconsin Collectors’ Association Annual Conference, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, May 11, 2006 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Legal Liability Under FDCPA, FCRA, Gramm Leach Bliley and HIPAA, CPCU Society Symposium, St. Paul, Minnesota, April 19, 2006 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Q&A Attorney Panel Session, Minnesota Association of Collectors Fall Conference, Bloomington, Minnesota, November 10, 2005 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Collection Laws for Creditors, ACA International, Inc. Teleseminar, September 21 and 22, 2005 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Issues in State Collection Laws; Avoiding the Common Traps, ACA International, Inc. Teleseminar, August 24, 2005 (Michael A. Klutho)
- State Collection Issues, ACA International, Inc. Annual Convention, Washington, D.C., July 21, 2005 (Michael A. Klutho)
- FDCPA: Issues for Owners, ACA International, Inc. Annual Convention, Washington, D.C., July 20, 2005 (Michael A. Klutho)
- FDCPA: Facts, Fiction and Reality, ACA International, Inc. Teleseminar, February 8 and 9, 2005 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Ethical Traps for New Lawyers, Hennepin County Bar Association, January 2005 (Christopher R. Morris)
- FDCPA: Issues for Collectors, ACA International, Inc., Honolulu, Hawaii, November 13, 2004 (Michael A. Klutho)
- FDCPA: Issues for Owners, ACA International, Inc., Honolulu, Hawaii, November 12, 2004 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Clearing Up the Confusion II, ACA International, Inc. Teleseminar, November 11, 2004 (Michael A. Klutho)
- The Ins and Outs of Check Collection, ACA International, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, November 5, 2004 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Risk Management Issues, North Dakota Collectors Association, October 2006 and October 14, 2004 (Christopher R. Morris)
- FDCPA: Facts, Fiction and Reality, ACA International, Inc. Teleseminar, September 22 and 23, 2004 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Q&A Attorney Panel, Minnesota Association of Collectors Fall Conference, Breezy Point, Minnesota, September 9, 2004 (Michael A. Klutho)
- FDCPA: Issues for Owners, ACA International, Inc. Annual Convention, Dallas Texas, July 14, 2004 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Q&A Attorney Panel – Recent Cases Pertaining to the Collection Industry, Minnesota Association of Collectors Spring Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota, May 6, 2004 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Defending a Debt Collection Practices Act Claim (a/k/a Risk Management Tips for Collection Attorneys), Hennepin County Bar Association Creditor-Debtor CLE, Minneapolis, Minnesota, April 21, 2004 (Michael A. Klutho)
- State Issues, ACA International, Inc., Arlington, Virginia, March 9, 2004 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Legal Trends and Defense Strategies, ACA International, Inc., Arlington, Virginia, March 8, 2004 (Michael A. Klutho)
- FCRA’s Pending Expiration & What it Means to You, ACA International, Inc. Teleseminar, October 30, 2003 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Workshop, Arkansas Collectors Association, Little Rock, Arkansas, October 25, 2003 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act; Issues for Owners, ACA International, Inc., North Dakota Unit, Fall 2003 (Christopher R. Morris)
- Attorney Panel, Minnesota Association of Collectors, Inc. Fall Conference, September 11, 2003 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, ACA International, Inc., Dallas, Texas, July 2003 (Christopher R. Morris)
- Legislative and Case Law Update on: FDCPA, Gramm Leach Bliley, HIPAA, NSF Checks, “Meaningful Involvement,” Credit Repair, Technology Issue, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, May 13, 2003 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Legal Risks in the Check Industry & How to Attack Them, ACA International, Inc., April 4, 2003 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Beyond the Legal-Ease, Parts I and II, ACA International, Inc., April 4, 2003 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Professional Practices Management System (PPMS) Instructor, ACA International, Inc., April 1, 2003; December 12-13, 2002; and June 24-25, 2002 (Michael A. Klutho):
- Why Comply – Benefits of a Compliance Program
- Core PPMS Competencies
- Federal and State Law Compliance
- Other Corporate Compliance Issues
- Compliance Q&A
- A Premier on FDCPA/FCRA and Related Issues for Claims Representatives, Northland Insurance Companies, February 6, 2003 (Michael A. Klutho)
- The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and Other Hot Collection Issues, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education Seminar, January 24, 2000 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Overcoming Current Compliance Concerns: Keeping Yourself Out of Hot Water, ACA International, Inc., January 15, 2003 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Liability Concerns for Debt Collection Professionals (Including The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act), Lorman Education Services, September 12, 2002 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Q&A Attorney Panel - Compliance Issues, Minnesota Association of Collectors/Associated Credit Bureaus of Minnesota, September 10, 2002 (Michael A. Klutho)
- HIPAA - Compliance Issues, Minnesota Association of Collectors/Associated Credit Bureaus of Minnesota, September 10, 2002 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Fair Credit Reporting Act, ACA International, Inc. Annual Convention, Orlando, Florida, July 20, 2002 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Professional Risks for Attorneys, MAP Legal Education Conference, Orlando, Florida, July 19, 2002 (Michael A. Klutho)
- How Does Meaningful Involvement Impact Your Practice? MAP Legal Education Conference, Orlando, Florida, July 19, 2002 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Consumer Relations: Keeping Your Customers and Collecting Your Debt, ACA Creditor International Teleseminar, March 2002 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and Healthcare Recoveries--Are You Compliant? Collections and Credit Risk Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, March 2002 (Michael A. Klutho)
- The Ethics of Debt Collection: Board Opinion 10 and Other Important Ethical Consideration, All District Legal Education, March 7, 2002 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Defending an FDCPA Case: A Real Federal Case, All District Legal Education, March 7, 2002 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Hot Topics in Debt Collection, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, January 24, 2002 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Understanding the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Kansas Collectors Conference, Topeka, Kansas, October 8, 2001 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Hot Topics in Debt Collection, Hennepin County Bar Association Debtor/Creditor CLE Program, Minneapolis, Minnesota, October 17, 2001 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Gramm Leach Bliley Act (GLB) and Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), National Association of Retail Collection Attorneys Fall Collection Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada, October 13, 2001 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Fair Credit Reporting Act, ACA International, Inc., North Dakota Unit, Fall 2001 (Christopher R. Morris)
- Q&A Attorney Panel Session, Minnesota Association of Collectors Fall Conference, The Lodge at Giants Ridge, Minnesota, September 13, 2001 (Michael A. Klutho)
- FDCPA Seminar: Issues for Owners, American Collectors Association Annual Convention, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2001 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Risk Management Forum: Controlling Risk, Managing Exposure for Collection Professionals, American Collectors Association Annual Convention, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 13, 2001 (Michael A. Klutho)
- State Licensing and Collection Laws, American Collectors Association Annual Convention, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 13, 2001 (Michael A. Klutho)
- HIPAA [Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act] . . . Required Contract Provisions in Healthcare Provider Billing and Collection Services Contracts, American Collectors Association Teleseminar, May 9, 2001 (Michael A. Klutho)
- FDCPA Claims Open Forum: Legal Issues for the Credit and Collection Industry, American Collectors Association Annual Convention, San Diego, California, July 2000 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Data Privacy Issues Today, American Collectors Association Annual Convention, San Diego, California, July 2000 (Michael A. Klutho)
- MAP Attorney Panel -- FDCPA, FCRA and State Issues, American Collectors Association Regional Collectors Conference, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, May 2000 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Update on FDCPA Litigation Trends, Minnesota Association of Collectors, September 1999 (Christopher R. Morris)
- General Session: Litigation Trends and Outcomes, American Collectors Association Annual Convention, Chicago, Illinois, July 1999 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Pre-Collection & Billing, Add-On Fees, and Debt Responsibility, American Collectors Association Annual Convention, Chicago, Illinois, July 1999 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Pre-Collection & Billing, Add-On Fees, and Debt Responsibility, American Collectors Association’s On-Line Forum, June 1999 (Michael A. Klutho)
- AIG Claims Panel Presentation, American Collectors Association’s Corporate Counsel Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, April 1999 (Michael A. Klutho)
- FDCPA Mock Trial Presentation, American Collectors Association March for Success Meeting, Scottsdale, Arizona, March 1999 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Healthcare Subrogation: Business Opportunities and Legal Concerns, American Collectors Association March for Success Meeting, Scottsdale, Arizona, March 1999 (Michael A. Klutho)
- The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: A Legal Update, Hennepin County Bar Association, Debtor/Creditor Committee Meeting, December 1998 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Hot Topics in FDCPA, Illinois Collectors Association, Chicago, Illinois, October 1998 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Contracting With Your Creditor Clients, American Collectors Association Annual International Convention and Exposition, Las Vegas, Nevada, June 1998 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Defending FDCPA Claims, American Collectors Association Annual International Convention and Exposition, Las Vegas, Nevada, June 1998 (Michael A. Klutho)
- The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: Hot Topics in Litigation, Minnesota Unit of American Collectors Association, May 1998 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Creditors and Collection Agencies: Improving Communication/Avoiding Litigation, American Collectors Association’s National Legislative Conference, Washington, D.C., February 1998 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Under Scrutiny - A Closer Look at FDCPA Lawsuits, American Collectors Association’s 1997 Collection Business Academy, Orlando, Florida, December 1997 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: Consumer Bankruptcy and Collection Issues, Minnesota Institute Legal Education, November 1997 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Damage Control for the Defense: Your Map to Success, American Collectors Association Members Attorney Program Seminar, May 1997 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Defense of FDCPA Lawsuits: Issues and Answers, American Collectors Association’s National Legislative Conference, Washington, D.C., February 1997 (Michael A. Klutho)
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: Avoiding Malpractice (Ethical Considerations), Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Seminar -- Legal Malpractice: Cause and Effects, June 1996 (Michael A. Klutho)
- The FDCPA Nightmare: Defending Against Frivolous/Hyper-Technical Claims, American Collectors Association’s Preventing FDCPA Lawsuits -- Members’ Attorney Program, March 1996 (Michael A. Klutho)