LEONARD H. FRANCO, JR., ESQ.

64 Van Reypen Street, Jersey City, New Jersey 07306

(201) 966-9576 or (201) 222-8223

leonardfrancojr@gmail.com

 

 

BAR ADMISSIONAdmitted and Licensed in New Jersey since May 1999.

 

EDUCATIONQuinnipiac College School of Law, Hamden, Connecticut

Juris Doctor, May 1997

Seton Hall Law School, Newark, New Jersey

Visiting Student Status  1996-1997 Academic Year

Rutgers College, New Brunswick, New Jersey

B.A. Journalism, Psychology Minor, May 1994

 

EXPERIENCE

 

ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP\ASSET ACCEPTANCE LLC, NEWARK, NJ

MANAGING ATTORNEY – September 2011 – Present

Counsel and advise a San Diego-based debt management and recovery solution financial services company specializing in consumer credit card debt, creditor’s rights, defaulted consumer litigation and bankruptcy.   Provide guidance to Compliance Department in relation to FDCPA and FCRA, specifically credit card litigation.  Manage and respond to consumer complaints filed by litigants against Company.  Oversee the New Jersey high volume consumer litigation and staff.  Negotiate and draft Settlement Agreements relating to ongoing litigation.  Draft, review and revise Compliance Standard Operating Procedures, form Offer Letters and campaigns,  pleadings, discovery responses and briefs.  Review and advise Company in relation to work flow procedures while adhering to Company guidelines and policies. Appear for Trials, Motion Hearings, Arbitrations and Mediations.  Recruited, interviewed, hired and trained support staff.  Directly responsible for billing, reporting and management of large caseload.

 

JPMORGAN CHASE, WOODBRIDGE, NEW JERSEY

VICE PRESIDENT & ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL – March 2005 – May 2011

Managed the Company’s New Jersey consumer litigation Legal Department.   Provided sound legal, business and financial counsel and advice to Chase Cardmember Services’ partners and shareholders on issues relating to corporate credit policy, credit reporting, credit files, customer relations and credit reviews. Represented the Company in all New Jersey Superior Court jurisdictions on consumer litigation and successful defense of consumers’ counterclaims including FDCPA, Fair Credit Reporting Act, UDAAP and Reg. Z causes of action.  Responded to consumer complaints filed by consumers with the OCC and BBB against the Company.   Handled any issues raised by Executive management relating NJ litigation. Oversaw outside counsel for all New Jersey consumer credit card and retail causes of actions.  Directly supervised a legal staff of paralegals, legal assistants, collectors, supervisors and support staff.  Handled all aspects of Company’s credit card litigation from filing of the summons and complaint, answering and propounding Discovery, drafting of various motions and finalizing judgment.  Drafted, reviewed and negotiated Credit Card Cardmember Agreements, Change in Terms, Settlement Agreements and Credit Applications.  Developed standard forms for litigation and office policies and procedures.  Developed and trained business and support staff in New Jersey litigation procedures. Lead Counsel for over one hundred Arbitrations, Mediations , bench and jury trials.  Managed high volume trial calendar with an emphasis on amicable resolution with pro se debtors and/or their attorneys.  Travelled to various credit card call centers throughout the country and trained collection and support staff on issues of customer relations and negotiation. 

 

PRESSLER AND PRESSLER, CEDAR KNOLLS, NJ   

ASSOCIATE – December 2002 – March 2005

Represented creditors in the areas of contract, debtor-creditor and bankruptcy law. Appeared on a weekly basis in the Superior Court of New Jersey – Law Division and Special Civil for motions and trial calls with experience in eight trials to decision.  Conducted Civil Arbitration and Mediation on behalf of creditors. Negotiated and drafted settlement documents with self represented litigants and attorneys.   Wrote and argued briefs, conducted Discovery and drafted various motions. 

 

ATLANTIC WESTERN CONSULTING, INC., EDISON, NEW JERSEY

ATTORNEY/PROJECT MANAGER – August 2001 – December 2002

Drafted, revised and negotiated leases and licensing agreements for cellular/telecommunications carriers with corporate and independent landlords.  Managed site acquisition department consisting of three employees.  Prepared Zoning Board applications for variances and building permits in order to construct wireless phone technology on public and private land.  Reviewed and interpreted tax and zoning codes, title reports and construction drawings. 

 

 

 

 

 

METRICOM, INC., HARRISON, NEW JERSEY

ATTORNEY – October 1999 – August 2001

Drafted and negotiated licensing and right-of-way contracts for Telecommunications/Internet Company.  Drafted and reviewed lease agreements for company’s wireless infrastructure.  Continuously revised standard agreements for wireless system integration. Appeared before numerous City and Town Councils throughout New Jersey to present petitions for binding contracts. 

 

SCHUMANN, HANLON, DOHERTY, McCROSSIN & PAOLINO, JERSEY CITY, NJ

ASSOCIATE – September 1998 – October 1999

Handled real estate transactions from initial contract to closing. Managed numerous collection, landlord/tenant and post execution cases.  Drafted pleadings and appeared in New Jersey Superior Court for evictions, real estate contract disputes and commercial litigation.  Prepared land use applications for various Planning Boards.  Conducted initial client interviews. 

 

THE HONORABLE LAWRENCE P. DEBELLO, J.S.C., LAW DIVISION-SPECIAL CIVIL PART, HUDSON COUNTY – JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY

JUDICIAL LAW CLERK – September 1997 – August 1998

Wrote written opinions on various civil contract issues.  Provided written recommendations on motions, mediated small claims cases, researched contract issues and arranged Judge/Attorney conferences.   Coordinated trial and motion daily calendar and authorized adjournment requests.   Assisted the Special Civil Division Manager with any day-to-day issues relating to specific cases.  Provided direction to landlords and tenants for expedited completion of their cases.