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» VISIT US ONLINE @ DSNEWS.COM 9 SPONSORED CONTENT INNOVATING LEGAL SERVICERS McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC, Meets Today's Most Pressing Legal Challenges Head On McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC (MTG) is a full-service default and creditors' rights law firm delivering quality, cost-effective legal servicers for financial institutions throughout most of the Southeast. e founding partners of MTG established a forward-thinking, client-focused law firm centered on an unwavering commitment to the following core values: excellence, integrity, honesty, and respect. MTG services Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Mark A. Baker is Managing Attorney of MTG's Tennessee/ Alabama. He re- ceived his bachelor's from the University of Alabama and his juris doctorate from Cumberland School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and Ten- nessee. He was previously Managing Partner of Johnson & Freedman, LLC. IN WHAT AREAS DOES MCMICHAEL TAYLOR GRAY PARTICULARLY EXCEL AS A FIRM? While technology gives MTG speed and nimbleness in its processing and compliance activ- ities, the firm's greatest strength is its people. We are a new firm by industry standards, but we are chock full of industry veterans with many years of legal, business, and practical savvy. And while our clients are in the financial services industry, we recognize that each client has different needs and requirements. So, we focus on tailoring our legal and business advice to each client's needs, rather than building a cookie-cutting machine or simply overseeing the matters entrusted to us. HOW HAS MTG WORKED TO IMPROVE AND INNOVATE ITS PROCESSES IN 2018? MTG has made significant investments to improve our processes this past year. We have incorporated state-of-the-art technology in our already advanced case management system that allows us to automate certain processes while still maintaining the ability to accommodate each client's specific requirements. ARE THERE ANY RECENT OR IMPENDING COURT CASES THAT THE INDUSTRY SHOULD BE WATCHING CLOSELY? Of course, the Obduskey v. McCarthy & Holthus, LLP case before the U.S. Supreme Court is huge. e decision will resolve a split among the circuit courts regarding the question of whether the FDCPA applies in nonjudicial foreclosures. MTG participated in drafting an amicus brief filed on behalf of Legal League 100. WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES OF HELPING YOUR CLIENTS ENSURE COMPLIANCE IN AN EVER-SHIFTING REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT? e inescapable cliché that time is money. It can be challenging to balance the time- sensitive technical requirements of consumer- protection laws and regulations, but we know that lost time means lost money for our servicer and investor clients. We strive to assure ac- curate and complete compliance with all such laws and regulations, which of course is the goal of consumer-protection regulation while pushing legal matters on nonperforming assets forward as quickly as possible to protect our clients' interests. WHAT LESSONS SHOULD SERVICERS AND LEGAL FIRMS TAKE AWAY FROM THE DAMAGING NATURAL DISASTERS OF THE PAST FEW YEARS? HOW CAN THE INDUSTRY WORK TOGETHER TO HELP IMPACTED BORROWERS? Natural disasters seem more common in recent years, from vast forest fires in the West to super-sized hurricanes running up our At- lantic and Gulf coasts. We should expect that Congress will continue to legislate solutions to victims of these disasters with safeguards to prevent precipitous loss of their properties to foreclosure, either through moratoria or even more severe measures. It seems to me that self-regulation in the face of these cataclysmic natural events is the preferred course, and the challenge is to find the balancing point. WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU HAVE LEARNED FROM YOUR TIME AT MCMICHAEL TAYLOR GRAY? Our clients choose MTG for many reasons, and I think among those reasons is that while we are smaller than many well-established firms, we are as rich in talent, work ethic, and industry knowledge as the bigger firms. We can provide a more personal business experience than can be found elsewhere.

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