A good bankruptcy lawyer wears many hats. Sometimes we’re like boy scouts, helping the client cross the street without getting hit by the approaching bus. Sometimes I’m a tarot card reader. Ok, maybe not but I’ve got to predict the outcome of the client’s case. You know, it’s sort of like taking on the same role as Gary Sinise in Apollo 13. Remember? He wasn’t in the shuttle but he simulated the shuttle crews’ emergency situation from the ground and ...

Massachusetts Attorney General, Martha Coakley, who very well may be the Nation’s leading crusader in bringing big banks to justice, filed a lawsuit of major significance yesterday.  The lawsuit is seeking redress for what Coakley calls “unlawful and deceptive” conduct in the foreclosure process, including unlawful foreclosures, false documentation, robo-signing, and deceptive practices related to loan modifications.

The lawsuit is the Nation’s first…but most definitely not the last.  Coakley has named Bank of America Corp.,  JPMorgan Chase & Co., Wells Fargo ...

We just got word that a riot’s goin’ on down at the Boston Harbor Hotel.

Word is that the organizers of OccupyBoston have now occupied the hotel because Freddie Mac-CEO Charles E. Haldeman is staying there. Haldeman is no stranger to Boston of course, he headed Hub-based Putnam Investments until 2008.

http://blogs.wsj.com/developments/2011/10/23/twelve-questions-on-obamas-refi-plan/?mod=e2tw

Wall Street Journal reports that the Obama Administration is about to release a new, revamped, HARP program.  Yes, the same program that entitled under-water homeowners to refinance…..despite having no equity.  Yes, the same program that I have yet to hear one success story.  Yes, the same program that on paper sounds amazing, but in execution appears to be all smoke and mirrors. The Obama administration claims that this program will provide more streamlining for banks to ...

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-21/faulty-foreclosure-case-in-massachusetts-high-court-may-hurt-home-buyers.html

The Massachusetts SJC ruled on the Bevilacqua v. Rodriguez case today.  The case was on appeal from a lower court ruling that ultimately ruled that a foreclosure was not valid as the actual foreclosure sale took place before the mortgage was in hand.  The case, upon appeal to the highest court in the Commonwealth, clearly has the makings of some juicy news…..and may impact thousands of transactions that occurred over the last few years.

A full report ...

Like many attorneys, we get calls from prospective clients asking me what our fee is for a bankruptcy filing.  It’s not a particularly difficult question to answer – in theory.  But at the same time, it is.  Generally, I know that if their concern is price, then who they retain as their attorney is not all that important to them.  But I also get calls from prospective clients who have or had another (and less expensive) attorney who now is ...

Not a huge shock….with the economy, lack of new jobs, increasing debt, and no prospects in sight!

A good read.  Thanks Boston.com

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/09/22/us_census_poverty_rate_in_mass_increased_in_2010/?p1=News_links

“I never pictured myself sitting here in an office like this talking to a person like you.”

Most reasonable people would take offense to a statement like that. You could analyze that comment and easily conclude that the speaker thinks of you as the lowest of the low.

What do you mean by “an office like this”? We had the walls done before we moved in and look we have several tasteful paintings! And, what may I ask do you mean by ...