Padgett Law Group (PLG) is pleased to announce that the firm has appointed Jay French as Chief Operating Officer (COO). French immediately assumes duties related to the day-to-day oversight and management of the firm’s operational activities associated with its creditors rights’ legal practice. PLG offers comprehensive default legal services in Florida, where the firm originated over 25 years ago; Georgia; Tennessee; Arkansas; and Texas. French is based out of the firm’s Atlanta office in the city’s financial services hub of Buckhead.
​
In his new role, French will report directly to Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Timothy D. Padgett. French previously provided management consulting services to the firm and steps into his role with a deep understanding of the firm’s work, people, and practice.

“Jay’s industry and corporate experience helped us reshape ourselves internally to better face the future of this business. After nearly a year of that process, it became clear that Jay had a long-term home at PLG and we couldn’t be more excited about this permanent addition to and expansion of our executive leadership team,” said Timothy D. Padgett, PLG Founder and CEO.

French has held numerous senior leadership roles in telecommunications, information technology, and financial services. His previous industry experience includes over three years as Vice President of Client Financial Services for Prommis Solutions. French holds a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Auburn University and an MBA in Finance from the Stetson School of Business and Economics at Mercer University - Atlanta. In his spare time, French spends time with his wife and three young adult children. He enjoys an active healthy lifestyle, while serving others through his genealogy expertise. Click here to contact Jay. 

On December 6, 2018, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals decided a case of first impression in Dukes v. Suncoast Credit Union. The issue before the Court was whether a chapter 13 plan’s reference to a claim as being paid outside the plan was “provided for” by the plan and thereby included in the discharge. The Eleventh Circuit concluded it was not discharged. This is excellent news for servicers.

On Friday, the Florida Supreme Court provided its decision in Glass v. Nationstar Mortgage, regarding the entitlement to attorney’s fees when the borrower prevails in litigation.
​
The Fourth District Court of Appeal had held that where a foreclosure case is dismissed for lack of standing, the borrower may not take advantage of the attorney fee provision of the mortgage to seek fees. The Florida Supreme Court quashed the decision of the Fourth District, and found that the borrower was entitled to attorney’s fees. 

Padgett Law Group (PLG), a leading regional default services law firm serving the southeastern United States is celebrating 25 years of service this month. PLG currently operates in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Texas.

“When I founded this firm 25 years ago, my vision was for a dynamic, responsive legal practice that despite success would never lose sight of our boutique, hands-on beginnings. That, and our focus on people, has remained a hallmark of PLG throughout the years and I’m thrilled that this milestone comes on the heels of our expansion into the Texas market,” said CEO Timothy D. Padgett.

“Tim and I are fully focused on the development of PLG. We’re continually developing and deepening our client relationships; developing our internal technology, processes, and staffing; and looking at our growth from a conservative, balanced approach to ensure we can meet clients’ needs while maintaining the Padgett approach to how we do everything,” said Chief Development Officer Robyn S. Padgett.

Growth & Expansion Timeline
The firm was founded in Tallahassee, FL in 1993 by Timothy D. Padgett, who today retains his day-to-day management role within the firm, serving as Chief Executive Officer. The firm expanded throughout the state of Florida, adding offices in Tampa and Fort Lauderdale to provide state-wide coverage.

In 2015, PLG acquired Topping & Associates, PC, which expanded the firm’s practice into Georgia. Today the PLG executive team is based in the firm’s Atlanta office located in the financial services hub of Buckhead. The Atlanta office also manages and processes all Georgia default and bankruptcy matters.

The firm expanded into Tennessee organically in 2013, and operates out of its physical site in Memphis.  The firm’s entry into Tennessee was well received by clients with year-over-year growth exceeding projections by over 30% annually.

PLG acquired Arkansas-based default services firm Dyke & Winzerling, PLLC in 2017, and today operates a full-service default practice covering the entire state from its physical office in Little Rock. Success in Arkansas has been tremendous with production growth of 160% inside of 12 months.

Earlier this month, PLG announced the firm’s second organic expansion with the opening of its Dallas, TX office and the commencement of full-service default legal services statewide. Anchoring the Dallas, TX office is the firm’s new Managing Attorney of Bankruptcy Operations, Keena Newmark, Esq. PLG’s bankruptcy practice is national and covers the continental United States, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

###

About Padgett Law Group
Padgett Law Group (PLG) is an elite, full service creditors rights’ law firm with GSE compliant practices in Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Texas (GSE approvals pending). PLG offers exclusive representation to institutional clients such as lenders, mortgage servicers, credit unions, banks, hedge funds, investors, and other financial services industry stakeholders. Leveraging technology in its partnerships with forward-thinking clients gives PLG  the ability to focus on the aggressive management and processing of delinquent or under-performing loans, providing clients with an edge when curing or resolving complex legal matters. Learn more about the firm online at PadgettLawGroup.com.