Why Attorneys Refer to Us
Consumer protection involves federal statutes with their own procedural and damages frameworks, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA), Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA), Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), and Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), and related state statutes. These cases involve particular procedural requirements, distinct damages frameworks, and fee-shifting provisions that differ substantially from other areas of civil litigation.
General practitioners, personal injury attorneys, bankruptcy attorneys, and family law attorneys frequently encounter clients with consumer protection issues that fall outside their primary practice area. A bankruptcy client whose credit report contains inaccurate information after discharge. A family law client being harassed by debt collectors over a spouse's debts. A personal injury client receiving robocalls from insurance companies. These are all cases that benefit from focused consumer-protection representation.
We handle these cases so you can focus on your core practice while ensuring your client receives the targeted federal-statute representation these matters often benefit from. When you refer a client to us, you are not losing a client. You are strengthening the relationship by connecting them with an attorney who can address a legal problem you were not in a position to handle yourself. Clients remember that, and they come back to you for the work you do best.
Our Referral Process
The process is straightforward. Send us the client's contact information using the form below, along with a brief description of the issue. We ask that you obtain the client's consent before sharing their information. The client may contact us directly, or you may introduce us; either way, we offer the client a free case evaluation. If we accept the case, we handle everything from intake through resolution, including all investigation, correspondence with opposing parties, litigation if necessary, and settlement negotiations.
You stay informed throughout the process. We provide status updates at key milestones and make ourselves reasonably available to discuss the case with you. When the matter resolves, we send you a summary of the outcome subject to client consent and applicable confidentiality rules. Our goal is to make the referral process as seamless as possible for both you and your client.
Referral Fee Arrangements
We honor referral fee arrangements in accordance with the applicable rules of professional conduct. In New York, a division of fees between lawyers who are not in the same firm is permitted under NY RPC 1.5(g) when: (1) the division is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer or, by a writing given to the client, each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the representation; (2) the client agrees to employment of the other lawyer after a full disclosure that a division of fees will be made, including the share each lawyer will receive, and the client’s agreement is confirmed in writing; and (3) the total fee is not excessive. In our consumer protection cases, we work on contingency, so the client typically pays nothing out of pocket. We handle the documentation and ensure all ethical requirements are met.
Referral fee arrangements vary by jurisdiction. If you are located outside New York, we will work with you to structure the arrangement in compliance with your state's rules of professional conduct. Lawyers admitted in other states remain subject to their own jurisdiction’s rules on referral fees, and any division of fees we agree to is made only as New York’s Rule 1.5(g) permits, under the conditions above.
Co-Counsel Arrangements
For attorneys who want to remain actively involved in a case, we offer co-counsel arrangements. This is particularly common for attorneys in other states who have clients with federal consumer protection claims. Because the FCRA, FDCPA, TCPA, and EFTA are federal statutes, cases can often be filed in any district where the defendant is subject to personal jurisdiction, and local counsel can play a valuable role in the litigation.
In a co-counsel arrangement, we work together on case strategy, share responsibilities based on each attorney's strengths, and divide fees in proportion to the work performed, with the client’s written agreement to the arrangement after full disclosure of each lawyer’s share. This is an excellent option for attorneys who want to build their consumer protection practice while working alongside experienced practitioners.
Case Types We Commonly Handle
- Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): Inaccurate credit reports, mixed files, identity theft reporting failures, background check errors, failure to investigate disputes, outdated information, and unauthorized credit pulls.
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA): Harassment, false threats of legal action, third-party disclosure of debts, excessive calls, failure to validate debts, and collection of time-barred or discharged debts.
- Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA): Robocalls, autodialed calls, prerecorded messages, spam text messages, and calls made without prior express consent or after revocation of consent.
- Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA): Unauthorized electronic transactions, failure to investigate disputes, improper overdraft practices, and errors in electronic fund transfers.
- State Consumer Protection Statutes: New York General Business Law sections 349 and 350 and equivalent state-level consumer protection claims.
If you are unsure whether your client's issue falls within our practice areas, send it over anyway. We are happy to evaluate the matter at no cost and will let you know quickly whether we can help. If the case falls outside our areas, we may be able to point you to another attorney who handles that type of work.
Submit a Referral
Complete the form below to refer a client. Please ensure you have the client's consent before sharing their information. We will confirm receipt and discuss next steps with you.
NY RPC 1.18 notice: Information you share about a possible representation is protected under New York’s Rule 1.18 even if we do not take your matter. Submitting it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send sensitive documents until we ask for them. For a referral, please share only the minimum information needed for conflicts review.