Louisiana Debt Collection Laws: Come as You Are. Leave Different.

The National List of Attorneys today published a white paper on debt collection law in Louisiana, written by Christopher J. Couch, Bradley J. Chauvin, and Michael D. Troendle of law firm Couch, Conville & Blitt.

Couch, Conville & Blitt (CCB) is a multi-state law firm, which focuses primarily upon a consumer and commercial legal collection and creditors’ rights practice. CCB represents a variety of local, regional and national businesses, including several publicly traded entities and some of the nation’s largest lenders. The firm serves as a regional legal resource for many of its clients, with its offices in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee.

Louisiana’s state slogan is “Come as You Are. Leave Different.” Christopher Couch says, “While Louisiana’s legal system maintains different processes and terminology, creditors will find that the laws, procedures, and Judiciary are fair in the context of debt collection cases.” He encourages them to come to Louisiana and learn more about the practice of debt collection in the state. He was named by CityBusiness as one of the Top 50 Attorneys in the Metropolitan New Orleans area for 2009 and 2010. Bank of America recognized the firm as one of its National Network Partners for the 1st Quarter of 2009.

Chris Couch

Christopher J. Couch is a founding member of Couch, Conville & Blitt. He manages the firm and its multi-state legal collection practice. His practice further focuses in the areas of Creditors’ Rights, Commercial Litigation, General Business Counselling, and Collateral Lending. He represents a wide variety of clients, including collateral lenders, national banks, finance lessors, credit grantors, debt purchasers, collection agencies, local corporations, and several publicly traded corporations.

Chris attended law school at LSU and has been working in the debt collection industry for 21 years. When asked what he likes most about the work, Chris said, “Many people want to satisfy their obligations with my clients. Working with my clients to make that happen is extremely rewarding. I love getting a thank you note from the opposing party stating how glad they are to have satisfied their obligation with my client and thanking me or a member of my firm for treating them with respect.”

Bradley Chauvin

Bradley J. Chauvin is the Lead collection counsel and Senior Louisiana Litigator with the firm. He has been with the firm and its predecessors for over 20 years. He has gained a reputation as an aggressive advocate for his clients, but a fair opponent. He has had extensive experience in prosecuting and defending creditors’ claims. His practice includes commercial and consumer legal collections for many of the Firm’s local and national clients.

Michael D. Troendle is an Associate Louisiana Litigator. His practice focuses upon consumer legal collections and creditors’ defense. He attended Loyola University of New Orleans Law School. The thing he enjoys most about his job with Conville & Blitt is that “every case is different and challenging in its own way.” He thinks it’s vital that creditors have knowledge of the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure and local court rules. Outside of work he enjoys LSU football, mountain biking and art.

Members of the firm have published and lectured extensively on a variety of legal and business issues, including creditors’ rights, law office management, effective case management, legal collections, disaster planning and recovery, FDCPA, FCRA, GLBA and other laws impacting the lending and collection industry. Additionally, the firm is deeply involved in the National Association of Retail Collection Attorneys (NARCA). Chris was Parliamentarian to the President of NARCA 2008 – 2009 and Chairman of NARCA’s Leadership Development Committee in 2013. The firm also belongs to the Commercial Law League of America (CLLA). Several attorneys in the firm have been recognized as local and national leaders in the practice of legal collections.

The National List thanks Chris, Bradley and Michael for submitting this paper and allowing us to get to know them a little better. You can access the paper at http://www.nationallist.com/white_papers/louisiana.