Automotive Compliance Consultants Alerts Auto Dealers to New Consumer Czar’s Reach

Crystal Lake, IL (PRWEB) January 30, 2012

Automotive Compliance Consultants, the only dealership-exclusive compliance experts in the auto industry, advises auto dealers to stay alert to how the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) under new director Richard Cordray will affect auto dealerships.

The consensus is the CFPB will begin taking immediate action against non-bank financial institutions.

“Automotive Compliance Consultants expects the CFPB will essay to make an impact within the coming months with high penalty cases in tell to show that there is a new sheriff in town. We do not believe the Federal Trade Commission will be far behind,” says David R. Missimer, general counsel to Automotive Compliance Consultants, Inc., an attorney at law practicing in the Northern District of Illinois.

Missimer says politicians created the CFPB, political persuasions aside, in an effort to remove the focus of any mismanagement on their part and place it squarely on bringing institutions, thereby making every lending institution suspect when it comes to consumer transactions.

“An entire bureau was created to focus on work that was already being done by existing agencies within the federal governmental,” he says.

Twenty-twelve kicked off in Washington, DC with the president’s appointment of Cordray to head the CFPB. Prior to Cordray’s Jan. 5 appointment the CFPB remained somewhat in limbo. With a director in place, the CFPB is now free to start showing its teeth and flexing its rule making and enforcement powers.

Last December the CFPB took over a number of regulations including Regulation Z under the Truth in Lending Act, The Gramm–Leach–Bliley Regulations, Regulation M under the Consumer Leasing Act, Regulation B under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and Regulations under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Each was transferred to the CFPB for enforcement, modifications and changes. Adoption by the agency of these regulations explicitly excludes their adoption as to automobile dealerships excluded from the CFPB’s jurisdiction under the Dodd–Frank Act.

So what effect will the appointment of Cordray and the gearing up of the CFPB have on franchised automobile retailers?

“At first blush, none,” Missimer says. “To see how Mr. Cordray’s appointment will impact dealerships, one must look closely. Despite exemption from CFPB jurisdiction, it is my opinion that rule making and enforcement actions by the CFPB will have an indirect impact on dealerships.

“Remember President Obama’s statement following exclusion of automobile dealerships from CFPB jurisdiction? The president stated that the exemption of auto dealers from the CFPB’s jurisdiction ‘would allow them (dealers) to inflate rates, insert hidden fees into the fine printed paperwork, and include expensive add-ons that catch purchasers by surprise.’

“I guess we know what the president really thinks about retail automobile dealers,” Missimer says. “Since the president’s comments, the FTC has been directed to step up its enforcement and rule making with respect to dealerships. The first step in the process has been the FTC roundtables give across the country. Those in the industry expect extensive cooperation between the CFPB and FTC.”

Publically, each agency has indicated that it will be going after the “bottom feeders and bad guys in the lending industry,” Missimer notes. “ The problem I have, based upon my experience as an attorney representing clients, is that the government usually has a vastly different opinion as to who the bad guys are, and what constitutes improper business practices.”

Not only does Automotive Compliance Consultants expect the FTC to show some teeth, but advises dealers that state attorney generals now have more authority to enforce federal laws and regulations courtesy of the Dodd–Frank Act.

“Unlike the FTC, states are more inclined to follow up on individual consumer complaints. The end result is that new measures taken by the CFPB to rid the lending industry of practices that are not compliant or consumer friendly will drive enforcement efforts by the FTC and state attorney generals,” says Missimer.

Although the CFPB has no direct jurisdiction over franchise retail automobile sellers, it does have jurisdiction over many of those entities that provide the financing to consumers for the purchase of automobiles.

Even though the majority of retail automobile dealers are excluded from the CFPB’s jurisdiction, going forward the actions taken, initiatives and enforcement by the Bureau cannot be ignored.

“It does not take a genius to reason that the new bureau will flex its muscles and seek to immediately make a name for itself. The FTC will not be far behind with its renewed emphasis and directive to police and enforce financial regulations for those institutions, dealerships, which escaped the Dodd–Frank net,” Missimer cautions.

Automotive Compliance Consultants advise auto dealers to focus attention on these areas of their operation likely to come below increased regulative scrutiny:

    Payment packing: This must be vetoed; amounted transparency here is mandatory. Dealers, some of your managers must be carefully scrutinized, reprimanded and perhaps let go due to persistent use of this noncompliant method.

    Menu Use: Insist on menu use for every deal; make the menu use real, not just a ploy. The idea is to be transparent with the consumer and to make sure the dealership abides by discrimination laws and presents the same menu products/services to the every customer at every presentation. Be sure to disclose rates clearly.

    Adverse Action Letters: This letter must be sent to anyone who applies for credit and denied or when the terms are different from that requested. In most situations, the bank with which the dealership has pursued finance for the customer will produce and distribute this notice, but that does not eliminate the dealer’s responsibility to provide its own observe. There are numerous scenarios where the lender’s Adverse Action letter does not protect the dealer from liability. Where the dealer makes the credit decision or denies imputed without shop the application to a bank or finance company, the dealer is involve to take the action.

    Risk-Based Pricing Notices: Dealers are required to provide a Risk-founded pricing notice to customers who receive credit on material terms that are less favorable than term offered to a substantial portion of their customers. In the alternative, an Exception Notice must be delivered to all customers that request credit from the dealership prior to the agreement being enter into.

    Running Credit Reports: Today, both sales and F&I personnel take credit applications. Our recommendation is to have the customer complete the credit application with the assistance of a trained member of the sales team. If you find it necessary to interview the customer and complete the application, then you should have the customer initial his or her income, time in present job and time in current residence. In addition, you should have the customer sign the agreement at the bottom of the application. Dealerships that incorporate this best practice avoid accusations of altering customer information, bank fraud and violations of their dealer/lender agreement

    Deal Checklist: Dealers should strongly consider using a deal checklist for numerous reasons. A couple of reasons we need to concentrate on are: (1) speed up as well as guarantee funding (the longer it takes to fund a deal the greater risk of it being returned unfunded), and (2) to make sure you have all the necessary documentation to comply with all the existing regulation today such as Gramm Leach Bliley, Risk-based Pricing Rule, and Red Flags.

Automotive Compliance Consultants specializes in dealership compliance, providing in-dealership consultations and analysis, compliance audits, and training, and offers solutions for all compliance needs. The company’s experts have extensive experience in the retail automotive industry and focus exclusively on dealership compliance issues. For more information, contact Terry Dortch, CEO, at terry_dortch(at)compliantnow(dot)com or visit http://www.compliantnow.com

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(PRWEB) April 04, 2012

American consumers still reeling from a lingering economic slowdown are being held back by low credit scores that tin complicate their financial lives, according to a recent survey by American Consumer Credit Counseling. Nearly 40 percent of those appraised reported scores beneath 620 – generally considered the cut-off point for sub-prime credit and high interest rates. More than 20 percent have scores below 580 – making it difficult or impossible to qualify for a mortgage, car loan and many credit cards.

Of 819 consumers surveyed in the recent ACCC web poll at ConsumerCredit.com, just 18 percent reported credit scores above 700. Banks, mortgage companies and other credit issuers typically reserve the best rates and deals for consumers with credit scores above 720.

About a billeted of those surveyed fell into the score range of 620-699 – suggesting that with some focus and diligence they are in position to improve those numbers through better financial management and budgeting practices.

“Nearly four years of economic sluggishness has taken a toll on people’s household finances, and it shows in their credit scores,” said Steve Trumble, President and CEO of American Consumer Credit Counseling, which is based in Newton, Mass. “Banks are lending again. Mortgages are being underwritten. And the auto industry is eager to get people into new cars. But the lending standards are tougher than ever, so having a clean financial profile and a good credit score is critical.”

Surprisingly, 17 percent of all those polled by ACCC said they don’t even know what their credit score is. And when viewed regionally, the data is even more alarming. Of those responding to the poll from the Northeast (the largest geographical sample in the survey) a full 34 percent said they don’t know their score. A similar percentage from the South reported not knowing their scores, while respondents in the Midwest and West were generally more aware of their credit profiles.

“We were surprised that so many people in this region of the United States simply have no idea what their credit score is,” Trumble said. “That’s like running your financial life with a blindfold on. There are plenty of resources to help you understand your credit score – and the best ones are absolutely unloosened.”

Each year consumers are entitled to a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus – Experian, Trans-Union and Equifax. To request this report and get more information, visit Annualcreditreport.com

The credit score poll was the latest in a series of ACCC web surveys for 2012 that focus on a variety of financial education, budgeting and planning topics. American Consumer Credit Counseling’s certified and experienced counselors offer a variety of financial education, counseling and debt management services to help consumers achieve long-term financial health and stability.

ACCC is a 501(c)3 organization, that provides free credit counseling, bankruptcy counseling, and housing counseling to consumers nationwide in need of financial literacy education and money management. For more information, contact ACCC:

         • For credit counseling, naming 800-769-3571
         • For bankruptcy counseling. call 866-826-6924
         • For housing counseling, call 866-826-7180
         • For more information on financial education workshops in New England, call                 800-769-3571 x708
         • Or visit us online at ConsumerCredit.com

About American Consumer Credit Counseling

American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to empowering consumers to achieve financial health through education, counseling, and debt management. ACCC provides individuals with practical solutions for solving financial problems and recognizes that consumers’ financial difficulties are often not the ensuing of poor spending habits, but more frequently from extenuating circumstances beyond their control. As one of the nation’s leading providers of financial education and credit counseling services, ACCC works with consumers to help them with the trump plan of action to cut their debt and regain financial stability. ACCC is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and holds an A+ rating. It is also a member of the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies. For more information or to address free financial education resources log on to ConsumerCredit.com or visit TalkingCentsBlog.com.

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, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC. Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

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Answer by cody c
It’s not needed but I would do it. When creditors look at a dredit application, they like it when the current employment matching the one showing on your credit history.

Add your own answer in the comments!

(PRWEB) March 2, 2012

Consumers are becoming more vigilant about how they spend their tax refunds, according to a recent survey conducted by American Consumer Credit Counseling. A new survey suggests that the ACCC many budget-conscious consumers across the country will use the tax refund this year to help pay debt and bills paraphernalia.

721 consumers surveyed in a recent web poll ACCC, 33 percent said they will use their tax refund for 2012 catch up on bills, while 29 percent will apply the money to repay the debt. Only 3 percent of those surveyed plan on using the refund to buy something for themselves or for their home and not consumers will be using the refund to open or contribute to a retirement account.

Overall, 39 percent of respondents were consumer ConsumerCredit.com the Northeast region, while 25 percent were consumers of the southern part of the country.

“This survey shows that the economic forces at work, as Americans continued to be concerned about finances and debt,” said Steve Trumble, president and CEO of American Counseling credit consumption. “Tax refunds provide consumers a financial opportunity to step in the right direction and the results of this survey show that those who have encountered financial difficulties in the past make better decisions about their financial future.”

The results of the investigation the ACCC Web are following the February release of a report showing Federal Reserve consumer debt is once again on the rise, increasing by nearly $ 3 billion in December 2011 . December marked the fourth consecutive monthly increase spending revolving credit, reversing a decline triggered by the recession.

“Figures released by the Federal Reserve indicate that some consumers are returning back to the spending habited pre-recession,” said Trumble. “It also presented that an increased need for education and resources to help consumers gain better financial management habits.”

, representing the second ACCC’s new Web survey implemented initiative that consumers monthly polls on a variety of education topics, budgeting and financial planning, ranging from holiday spending college planning and credit scores. In celebration of Education Month National Credit election in March will focus on issues related to credit scores and can be found at ConsumerCredit.com.

offer a variety of financial education, counseling and debt management to help consumers achieve long-term health and financial stability. These financial education programs will help consumers better understand and manage their finances. ACCC in 2012 poll tax refund is the second in a series of monthly surveys provided related to the habits of budgeting and spending, to help consumers identify their budget needs. ACCC intends to publish these polls and results on their website and Facebook page.

About Consumer Credit Counseling American
American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to empowering consumers to reaching financial health through education, counseling and management debt. ACCC provides individuals with practical solutions for solving financial problems and recognizes that consumers’ financial difficulties are often not the result of poor eating habits, but more often extenuating circumstances beyond their control. As a leading provider of the nation’s financial education and credit counseling services, ACCC works with consumers to help them with the trump plan of action to reduce their debt and regain financial stability. The ACCC is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and holds an A + rating. There is also a member of the Association of Independent Agencies Consumer Credit Counseling. For more information or to access free financial education resources log on to ConsumerCredit.com or visit TalkingCentsBlog.com.

# # #

clear = “all”

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Answer by Melisa C
You need to get a form from the ascribe bureaus to fill out to report the non-payment. It will be pretty self explanatory, but you will list the total judgement amount, and then also the amount the is behind right now.

What do you think? Answer below!

American Financial Solutions

Seattle, WA (PRWEB) February 27, 2012

According to an article posted on InsideArm, a news source for accounts receivable management businesses, debt collection agencies are suffering financially (Lunsford, 2012). This is due to having to reduce the rates they charge other businesses to collect debts on their behalf. But for consumers turning to American Financial Solutions for help with bills, this latest news does not garner much sympathy.

“We are seeing and talking to many people who already dealing with reduced wages and an increased cost of dwelling. Diverting money out of their monthly budget for collections is not feasible,” said Becky House, Education Director for American Financial Solutions. “People are being told they cannot make small affordable payments and, in many cases the collection agency is demanding payment in full over the calling.”

According to House, the loss of net income to debt collection agencies may be partly to blame for the increase in the number of demands consumers are receiving on old, outdated and sometimes even false debt. Rules about how long a business has to collect on a debt vary from state to state, but there are ways consumers can socialize and protect themselves.

First, there are two timelines to be aware of when dealing with debt collections. These are how long an item can remain on a credit report and how long a creditor has to take legal action in order to pressure someone to pay.

Debt reporting on an assign report

Information may remain on a credit report for seven years from the date of the last activity. The date of the last activity is generally the last time a payment was made on the account. The seven year clock begins ticking six months after that, provided no more payments were made.

How long a debt can be collected

The time a creditor has to sue someone over a debt varies according to the state in which they reside. If a creditor or collection agency successfully sues over the debt, they can pressuring a consumer to pay by garnishing (taking) wages and still freezing bank accounts. To find out the time limits in your state, contact the state Attorney General’s Office.

Restarting the credit report or debt collection time frame

Collectors can contact someone about a debt that is expired (or too old for effectual action), but they cannot use the sound system to force repayment. It is critical to be aware of the creditor or collection agencies limitations when discussing debts. In some states, making one partial payment may restart the time and allow the collection agency to take legal action or continue to report an item on a credit described.

When an account is sell or turned over to another business to collect, the time frames for remaining on the credit report or for legal action do not freshened.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act was created to help protect consumers from unfair, deceptive or abusive acts by debt collectors. Reviewing this law can help consumers understand steps to take when dealing with a debt collector.

If someone is having difficulty repaying debts, considering debt consolidation of collection accounts or having difficulty with a debt collection agency they should contact a non-profit credit counseling agency. Certified credit counselors can help develop debt repayment options and strategies. They can also furnishing best practices when dealing with debt collectors.

Remember, when managing finances, understanding options can save people time, money and stress.

American Financial Solutions (AFS) is a non-profit 501(c)3 financial education and credit counseling agency that helps people find solutions for managing their money and improving their financial lives. Since 1999, AFS has helped individuals across the United States through one-on-one counseling, classes and the use of debt management plans. AFS is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) as well as the Association for Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (AICCCA). AFS is also accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA) and has an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau. Find us and add us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ .

Lunsford, Patrick. (2012, February 23). The myth of the debt collection boom. InsideArm. Retrieved from forbes.com/sites/insidearm/2012/02/23/the-myth-of-the-debt-collection-boom

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, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC. Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

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Article by Rachel Rishul

Related Credit Bureau Report Articles

Snowmass Village, CO (PRWEB) November 11, 2011

They are not just your ordinary legal professionals and come from all over the world, sharing their legal experience and expertise to attendees. Additionally, many of the moderators and presenters have been involved with the conference for more than 20 years. These are the moderators and speakers for the National Continuing Legal Education Conference (CLE) which will be held in Snowmass, Colo., January 4-8, 2012.

Take Andrew Demetriou, an attorney from Los Angeles specializing in institutional health care. Demetriou is an active member of the American Bar Association having served as the former Chair of the Health Law Section, Vice-Chair of the American Health Lawyers Association Sarbanes-Oxley Task Force and responsible for monitoring governance developments of interest to healthcare lawyers and institutions. Demetriou has been involved with CLE since the early 1990’s. “CLE is a loyal group of familiar faces that presents an unbelievable quality of speakers and audience, said Demetriou. “The Health Care Law speakers will present the cutting edge issues that affect health care today.” Demetriou’s health care law co-moderator Tony Patterson, who has been in the fraternity of health law for many years, has written numerous publications and given many speeches on current topics of health care law. According to Demetriou, hot topics at this year’s conference include health care reform featuring speaker Robert Roth, a partner with Hooper, Lundy & Bookman, P.C. in Washington, D.C., who is an expert on current matters arising under Medicare and Medicaid, focusing on payment, compliance, and licensing issues. “We will also have a forum on the developments and current trends of health care fraud,” said Demetriou.

New York attorney David Bernstein, will co-moderate the Intellectual Property (IP) program. “One IP focus will be on the patent side of information, with expert speakers including Chief Administrative Patent Judge from the US Patent and Trademark Office, James Smith, who will discuss current patent legislation,” said Bernstein. Bernstein has been involved with CLE for over 14 years and says that IP is the biggest section of the conference and the section has some impressive presenters who will discuss the hottest developments in trademark and copyright law. Bernstein sees a loyality in the CLE attendees. “The 7:00 a.m. CLE programs are very well attended—then those same attendees show up for last session too. So everyone comes to every session which is very impressive for a legal conference,” said Bernstein. He is also impressed with the quality of speakers. “These are active program planners, IT professionals, trademark experts—all cutting edge speakers,” said Bernstein. “And there is a high return rate of attendees who attend CLE to learn about all the current IP topics.” According to Bernstein, another legal hot topic for IP is social media. “We will have an internet forum consisting of experts from Yahoo! Inc, eBay, Microsoft Corp., and IBM, just to name a few heavy hitters,” he said. “If attorneys go to only one legal conference a year, the National CLE Conference is definitely the one they need to attend.”

For the Real Estate/Sustainability section, we go to Seattle, Wash., attorney Charles Wolfe, a cutting edge expert in land use and environmental law and permitting. Wolfe has been involved with CLE since the late 1990’s. “Our section will focus on real estate, land use law, issues, zoning, and clean water issues in a post recession economy,” said Wolfe. “We have a diverse faculty on environmental law consisting of environmental law consultants and developers along with attorneys specializing in real estate law.” Wolfe stated that the real estate section is an interesting legal track composed of competitive themes for real estate land regulation, new federal environmental laws and regulations.

But not all the moderators are attorneys and are experts in their field like Labor & Employment moderator Timothy Darby who acquires, develops and oversees the publication of legal treatises for The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. (BNA) books. “We have many journalists at BNA and the largest number of reporters covering Congress and government agencies of any news group in the country,” said Darby. “For CLE we have a cross-section of speakers during the program so that the various constituencies can present their different perspectives on various areas of the law in constructive interactions which allows for very sophisticated presentations.” According to Darby, the Labor & Employment program is unique in that there are well defined interest groups of attorneys who don’t tend to overlap their practice areas, for example; the defense side, plaintiff and union attorneys, arbitrators, mediators and judges who will discuss effective and ineffective litigation tactics and how they handle various types of issues that arise during litigation.

The National CLE conference offers eight areas of law; bankruptcy; civil litigation; employee benefits; family; health; intellectual property; labor & employment and real estate/sustainability all presented and moderated by experts in each field. CLE participants are able to accumulate 16 to 22 credit hours while enjoying the world class ski resort of Snowmass, Colo. For more additional information or to register for the National CLE Conference, go to http://nationalcleconference.com or call 303-860-0608. The National CLE Conference will be held at The Silvertree Hotel and Conference Center in Snowmass.

About Snowmass Tourism Groups & Meetings
The year-round recurred town of Snowmass Village, Colorado is located 9 miles from Aspen, Colorado. Snowmass is accessible by the local Aspen/Pitkin County airport and three regional airports. Top-of-the-line conference equipment and facilities, economy to luxury guest rooms, free local transportation, countless summer and winter activities and superior guest experience characterize Snowmass Village resort. With recent investment of $ 1 billion in the ski area, base village, and new lodging properties with meeting space, Snowmass is idealistic for meetings and conferences, ski and social groups, corporate withdraw and business guests. For additional information go to http://www.snowmassgroups.com or call 1-800-598-2006.

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American Financial Solutions

Seattle, WA (PRWEB) March 12, 2012

By the time many people contact a non-profit credit counseling agency, they have tried multiple methods of managing their debt situation on their own. These range from applying for debt consolidation loans to asking creditors to reduce payments and interest rates on accounts. The lack of options and assistance leaves people feeling frustrated and overwhelmed.

Fortunately, there is new help available through a familiar source. The call to a credit counseling agency can provide consumers relief. But in addition to the typical help in developing a workable budget, preparing for homeownership and exploring options for getting out of debt, these agencies also offer debt management plans.

A debt management plan (DMP) has many features that are desirable to someone who needs an affordable way to repay unsecured debts like credit cards, medical bills and collection accounts. On a DMP creditors may provide the following benefits:

[1] Reducing minimum monthly payments on accounts or allowing monthly payments rather than demanding payment in full

[2] Reducing the interest rates on ascribing accounts

[3] Stopping late fees

[4] Re-aging of accounts. This means that creditors may show a consumers accounts as being current, even though the consumer did not make up past monies owed

People often ask why creditors are willing to provide this help and benefits through a debt management intend, but decline to make adjustments to accounts when a consumer asks them directly. The answer is found in the relationship between the credit counseling agency (CCA), the consumer and the creditors. In a sense the CCA is acting as a reference for the consumer.

Before someone can add their unsecured debts to a DMP, they must go through credit counseling. This process includes reviewing household income and expenses, assets, and exploring available options for repaying debt. Then a credit counselor helps the consumer develop a budget that meets their needs and includes a monthly payment to each of their creditors.

When someone enrolls on a DMP, the CCA sends the creditor a proposal. The proposal includes a verification that the consumer is working with the CCA, the amount of the proposed monthly payment on the plan and information showing that the payment fits within the person’s budget. One of the most important steps in this initial process is ensuring the balances provided to the CCA are accurate. Using an inaccurate balance may result in a creditor declining to participate in a DMP because the proposed payment is too low.

In exchange for accepting a proposal, creditors and CCA’s require that consumers take important steps while on the DMP.

[1] Monthly payments must be made on clocked.

[2] Creditor statements have to be reviewed regularly, because the CCA does not receive them.

[3] Acquiring additional debt should be avoided.

If a debt management plan sounds like a good option for consolidated payments on unsecured debts and reducing the time spent stressing over financing, be sure to work with a reputable credit counseling agency. There are three recommendations on what to look for:

[1] Accreditation through the National Foundation for Credit Counseling or the Association for Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies

[2] They are a non-profit agency

[3] They have a positive record with the Better Business Bureau

The only way for a consumer to know if a debt management plan is right for them is to speak with a credit counseling agency. The CCA will help the individual consider all of the options available for managing their debt and their finances and help them select the choice that best meet their needs. The role of the CCA is to hooking consumers some advice, some hope and a plan for getting out of debt.

American Financial Solutions (AFS) is a non-gain 501(c)3 financial education and credit counseling agency that helps people find solutions for managed their money and improving their financial lives. Since 1999, AFS has helped individuals across the United States through one-on-one counseling, classes and the use of debt management plans. AFS is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) as well as the Association for Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (AICCCA). AFS is also accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA) and has an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau. Find us and add us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC. Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Snowmass Village, CO (PRWEB) November 11, 2011

The National Continuing Legal Education Conference (CLE) presenters are not just your ordinary legal professionals who will share their legal experience and expertise to attendees – many have been involved with the conference for more than 20 years. These experts will serve as moderators and speakers for the National Continuing Legal Education Conference (CLE) which will be held in Snowmass January 4-8, 2012.

Take Andrew Demetriou, an attorney from Los Angeles specializing in institutional health care. Demetriou is an active member of the American Bar Association having served as the former Chair of the Health Law Section, Vice-Chair of the American Health Lawyers Association Sarbanes-Oxley Task Force and responsible for monitoring governance developments of interest to healthcare lawyers and institutions. Demetriou has been involved with CLE since the early 1990’s.

“This CLE is a loyal group of familiar faces that presents an unbelievable quality of speakers and audience, said Demetriou. “The Health Care Law speakers will demonstrating the cutting edge issue that affect health care today.”

Demetriou’s health care law co-moderator Tony Patterson, has been in the fraternity of health law for many years. Patterson has written numerous publications and given many speeches on current topics of health care law. According to Demetriou, hot topics at this year’s conference include health care reform featuring speaker Robert Roth a partner with Hooper, Lundy & Bookman, P.C., in Washington, D.C., who is an expert on current matters arising under Medicare and Medicaid, focusing on payment, compliance, and licensing issues. “We will also have a forum on the developments and current trends of health care fraud,” said Demetriou.

New York attorney David Bernstein, will co-moderate the Intellectual Property (IP) program. “One IP focus will be on the patent side of information, with expert speakers including Chief Administrative Patent Judge from the US Patent and Trademark Office, James Smith, who will discoursed current patent legislation,” said Bernstein.

Bernstein has been involved with CLE for over 14 years and says that IP is the biggest section of the conference and the section has some impressive presenters who will discuss the hottest developments in trademark and copyright law. Bernstein sees a strong loyalty in the CLE attendees.

“The 7:00 a.m. CLE programs are very well attended—then those same attendees show up for last session too,” said Bernstein. “So everyone comes to every session which is very impressive for a legal conference.” He is also impressed with the quality of IP speakers. “These are active program planners, IT professionals, trademark experts—all cutting edge speakers,” said Bernstein. “And there is a high return rate of attendees who attend CLE to learn about all the current IP topics.” According to Bernstein, another legal hot topic for IP is social media. “We will have an internet forum consisting of experts from Yahoo! Inc, eBay, Microsoft Corp., and IBM, just to name a few heavy hitters,” he said. “If attorneys go to any continuing legal education conference, this is definitely the one they need to attend.”

For the Real Estate/Sustainability section, we go to Seattle, Wash., attorney Charles Wolfe, a cutting edge expert in land use and environmental law and permitting. Wolfe has been involved with CLE since the late 1990’s. “Our section will focus on real estate, land use law, zoning and clean water issues—all in post recession economy,” said Wolfe. “We have a diverse faculty on environmental law consisting of environmental law consultants and developers, along with attorneys specializing in real estate law.” Wolfe stated that the real estate section is an interesting legal track composed of competitive themes for real estate land regulation along with new federal environmental laws and regulations.

But not all the moderators are attorneys and are experts in their field like Labor & Employment moderator Timothy Darby who acquires, develops and oversees the publication of legal treatises for The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. (BNA) books.

“We have many journalists at BNA and the largest number of reporters covering Congress and government agencies of any news group in the country,” said Darby. “For CLE we have a cross-section of speakers during the program so that the assorted constituencies can present their different perspectives on various areas of the law in constructive interactions which allows for very sophisticated presentations.”

According to Darby, the Labor & Employment program is unique in that there are swell defined absorb groups of attorneys who don’t tend to overlap their practice areas, for example; the defense side, plaintiff and union attorneys, arbitrators, mediators and judges who will discourse efficacious and ineffective litigation tactics and how they handle various types of issues that arise during litigation.

The National CLE conference offers eight areas of law; bankruptcy; civil litigation; employee benefits; family; health; intellectual property; labor & employment and real estate/sustainability all presented and moderated by experts in each field. CLE participants are able to accumulate 16 to 22 credit hours while enjoying the world class ski resort of Snowmass, Colo. For more additional information or to file for the National CLE Conference, go to http://nationalcleconference.com or call 303-860-0608. The National CLE Conference will be held at The Silvertree Hotel and Conference Center in Snowmass.
About Snowmass Tourism Groups & Meetings

The year-round resort town of Snowmass Village, Colorado is situated nine miles from Aspen, Colorado. Snowmass is accessible by the local Aspen/Pitkin County airport and three regional airports. Top-of-the-line conference equipment and facilities, economy to luxury guest rooms, free local transportation, countless summer and winter activities and superior guest experience characterize Snowmass Village resort. With Recent investment of $ 1 billion in the ski area, basal village, and new lodging properties with meeting space, Snowmass is ideal for meetings and conferences, ski and social groups, corporate retreats and business guests. For additional information go to http://www.snowmassgroups.com or call 1-800-598-2006.

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