Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

Abraham Bates is a foreclosure-defense attorney practicing in Utah. Based out of Salt Lake City, his practice covers the entire state of Utah, Nevada, Arizona and California, and he is the Managing Partner of a law firm with attorneys licensed in the states of Nevada, Arizona and California. Abe is a committed defender of the rights of homeowners and he strongly believes that homeownership - including having equity in your home - is fundamental to the fabric of democracy and American society.

As Managing Partner of Wasatch Advocates and Homeowner Legal Defense Advocates, Abe manages a team of over 30 attorneys, housing paralegals, forensic loan auditors, loan modification staff, and others who share his commitment to hold the Big Banks accountable for their unconscionable, predatory lending behavior - lending behavior that is directly responsible for the foreclosure crisis, economic depression and 10% unemployment rate that we as citizens and homeowners currently face. Many of the committed staff which Abe manages formerly worked for what he calls "the dark side," meaning employees of foreclosure service agents of the Big Banks and attorneys and mortgage lenders who made hundreds of millions of dollars of sub-prime loans before the collapse of the housing market. Now that these staff members have "seen the light" and recognize the problems with the lenders and servicers for whom they previously worked, they are incredibly useful tools to the Firm's foreclosure-defense practice given their intimate knowledge of the dirty tricks, deceptive practices, concealment, fraud and other bad acts perpetrated by the Big Banks (and the 400+ failed sub-prime lenders whose loans the Big Banks purchased with tax-payer (TARP) money) and the servicers who foreclose upon homeowners based on fraudulently executed (robo-signature) documents and false sworn testimony regarding possession of a homeowner's "wet-ink" mortgage promissory note.

Wasatch Advocates, the Utah-focused foreclosure-defense practice which Abe manages, has filed over 100 cases in the last six months in defense of the rights of homeowners in foreclosures. He has won numerous victories after evidentiary hearings and achieved settlements whereby homeowners get principal reductions and affordable fixed interest rates instead of the predatory sub-prime mortgages which they previously faced. For homeowners who want to move out of their homes, Abe has secured deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure, credit repair, and favorable short sale approval terms (along with credit repair), enabling the homeowner to walk away from their home without the consequences of a foreclosure. Abe is also spearheading an effort in the 2011 Utah legislative session to enact mandatory foreclosure-mediation laws which would requires the banks and securitized trusts to send a representative authorized to execute a loan modification, short sale approval, or deed-in-lieu, before any foreclosure of a home in Utah can occur. The local and national media frequently call on Abe for comment on MERS, the foreclosure crisis, and solutions to the national foreclosure crisis "Prof Says Banks Undermined the System (SLTRIB)."

Abe is also a long-time friend and colleague of Associate Dean Christopher Peterson at the University of Utah College of Law. Dean Peterson is the leading expert in the country on the issue of MERS and, while not formally associated as an attorney of the firm, provides valuable insight and assistance with Abe's efforts to defend homeowners facing foreclosure. Additionally, Dean Peterson serves as an Expert Witness on a number of the cases which Wasatch Advocates and Homeowner Legal Defense Advocates prosecutes in defense of homeowners facing foreclosure.

LITIGATION VICTORIES

Abe secured the first-ever ruling on the merits against the Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. ("MERS") in Utah after an evidentiary hearing for a preliminary injunction within hours of the homeowner's foreclosure sale. Abe also secured the first-ever injunction in a foreclosure case awarded by Chief Judge Tena Campbell of the United States District Court in Utah against Provident Funding, based on Provident's negligent misrepresentations, bad faith and unfair dealing in servicing the homeowner's loan. Abe has also won a handful of "free and clear" (Quiet Title) judgments on behalf of homeowners, although this strategy is not a primary focus of Homeowner Legal Defense Advocate's efforts. Abe is currently involved in several state-wide class actions designed to bring down foreclosure-rescue scams, is involved in planning a national class-action lawsuit against MERS and the Big Banks, and is appealing two non-judicial foreclosure cases to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals and to the Utah Supreme Court.

OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE

Abe is a strong believer that everybody should have access to an aggressive and empathetic foreclosure-defense attorney and has built Wasatch Advocates and Homeowner Legal Defense Advocates with a team of staff dedicated and committed to keeping clients updated on the status of their litigation while simultaneously making efforts to ease the anxiety and trauma that comes with the foreclosure process. He believes that you have a right to know exactly what is going on in your case, your available legal and non-legal remedies, your chances of success, and what it will cost you to prosecute your claims against the Big Banks. The Firm offers free consultations and advice as a matter of course, and provides documents at no charge which homeowners can use on their own to preserve their rights and prevent negative credit reporting prior to a foreclosure. Wasatch Advocates and Homeowner Defense Legal Advocates want to ensure that every homeowner understands the process, the timelines, the defenses available, and the legal and non-legal remedies a homeowner may take on their own, or with the assistance of a foreclosure-defense attorney, to stave off foreclosure.

EARLY CAREER

Prior to law school, Abe worked for two powerful and well-connected members of the United States House Of Representatives in Washington, D.C. Abe then returned to his home in Utah, where he worked as a chemical addiction counselor. Abe also helped start several high-technology companies in the mid- to late-1990s. Each of these experiences has enabled Abe to build Homeowner Defense Legal Advocates, a regional law firm committed to defending homeowners facing foreclosure in four out of the five "hardest hit" states in the country (Nevada, Arizona, California, and Utah), whether through driving legislative action, training his staff to empathize with homeowners who face the emotional and psychological trauma that is a natural consequence of the prospect of losing the family home, and by using the Internet to educate homeowners nationwide of their rights both and prior to foreclosure.

Russell Weekes is a knowledgeable and experienced corporate executive and attorney who focuses on his client needs and goals. Russ Weekesâ approach emphasizes understanding his client's needs and goals first, then providing appropriate counseling and solutions, and providing superior legal services. My bankruptcy practice focuses on bankruptcy, business, criminal defense, estate planning, family law, foreclosure defense, loan modification, personal injury, probate, and trial/civil litigation. Contact me to find out how I can help you with your legal need.

Jennifer Smock focuses on debtors' rights counseling. Bankruptcy can be an important tool that helps those overburdened with debt to get a fresh financial start. Bankruptcy can stop foreclosure on a house, eviction from a rental, prevent repossession of a car or other property, stop wage garnishment or debt collection harassment, aid in avoidance of liens, and prevent termination of utility services. Bankruptcy can also help reduce and eliminate high medical bills, provide help for large amounts of student loan debt, and challenge claims of fraudulent creditors.

Jen has handled hundreds of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy filings from all over the country. Working two years in the legal compliance department for a national auto finance company gave Jen specialized insight into bankruptcy from the creditors standpoint -- from Proof of Claim filing to contesting Discharge. Jen supports the right to file bankruptcy and the policies to ensure that the bankruptcy process works as intended - to provide debtors a new beginning. Whether you file for Liquidation (Chapter 7) or Reorganization (Chapter 13) you can feel confident with Jen on your side.

Jen balances her bankruptcy service practice with consumer law and general civil litigation. Her consumer law litigation practice includes representation in mortgage foreclosure defense, class actions, unfair debt collection, deceptive advertising, warranty fraud, auto-dealer fraud, truth-in-lending, predatory lending, payday lending, unfair credit reporting, identity theft, and tenant's rights. She also worked for Hanes & Associates, P.L.L.C., which focused on legal issues related to Construction Law, including mortgage and promissory note negotiation, lease agreements, and lien avoidance.

General practice with offices in American Fork and St. George, serving all of Utah from Ogden to St. George.

Born and raised in Spanish Fork, Utah, John has enjoyed spending his years as a resident of Utah County. John attending Brigham Young University where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Finance. Once he graduated from BYU, John worked in the finance arena for two years and then went on to attend law school in Oklahoma. While attending law school, John actively worked in criminal defense, property, and family law. John gained insight into the importance and sanctity of human rights guaranteed to all individuals under the constitution as he worked in the Public Defender's Office.
John specializes in Bankruptcy, Criminal Law, Family Law and general litigation. John spends his free time with his wife and two daughters enjoying the fresh mountain air of Utah. They like to hunt, fish, hike and horse back ride. They reside in Utah County.

Matt Wadsworth earned his Bachelor’s from the University of Utah in Economics where he graduated in the top ten percent of his class. Matt earned his Juris Doctor from Oklahoma City University School of Law, where he graduated in the top third of his class and earned the Cali Award in Real Estate Finance and Development and the top grade in Land Use and Development.

Upon admittance to the Utah State Bar Association, he was offered a position with the largest foreclosure firm in Utah, Lundberg & Associates. During this time he managed the processing of thousands of foreclosures and post eviction files, giving him the experience and skill to handle Arnold & Wadsworth’s expansive mortgage lending practices litigation. He is also the firm’s legislative liaison and handles their lobbying needs. Matt’s most recent legislative work with the Utah legislature was sponsoring House Bill 299 with Gage Froerer, which amended the State’s unlawful detainer statute.

Matt practices in the areas of residential and commercial foreclosures, workouts, personal injury, real estate, title, evictions, landlord/tenant law, debt collections, and consumer law, appraisal litigation, loan fraud and bankruptcy. He has significant expertise in the Federal Truth in Lending Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

In private practice as sole practitioner for over thirty years with emphasis in bankruptcy and bankruptcy litigation, including Chapters 7, 12, 13, and 11. Substantial experience in "difficult" bankruptcies. Referrals from other attorneys, including other bankruptcy practitioners, are frequent.

Jared Pearson is a licensed Utah litigation attorney. Before coming to Salcido Law Firm Jared practiced law in both Salt Lake and Utah County and represented companies and individuals in a number of matters, including family law, contract disputes, personal injury, real estate transactions, criminal prosecution, and bankruptcy.

Jared is an experienced bankruptcy attorney that has handled many Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies. Jared has the knowledge and resources to handle any consumer bankruptcy case from start to finish and has the experience to foresee specific issues based on the unique circumstances of any given case and the best way to overcome potential obstacles. Jared is a member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA).

In addition, Jared's knowledge and experience in other avenues of law, from family law to criminal defense, allows him to offer his clients representation in a wide range of legal matters. Jared takes pride in the fact that most of his cases stem from client referrals or repeat business.

Jared is committed to giving back to the community and he offers bro bono services to those in need on a case by case basis. Jared has handled bankruptcies, divorces, contract disputes, business formations, and many other cases on a pro bono basis.

James Ziter began his career in 1995 under the Senior Practice Rules as a Deputy District Attorney in Lancaster County, Nebraska. In 1996 Mr. Ziter founded ZITER | LAW, which is a multi-disciplinary law firm located in Salt Lake City, licensed and serving clients in Utah and Nevada.

Bankruptcy Attorney. We file Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies. Free Consultation.

We are a debt relief agency under the United States Bankruptcy Code. We help people file for bankruptcy relief.

Prior to partnering with Carson Pearson, Jeff Butler worked as corporate in-house counsel for companies in Utah and California. He has experience with real estate law, mortgage law, business law, and healthcare law.

Mr. Butler grew up in Utah and California. He graduated from Brigham Young University where he graduated with University Honor Program. He attended the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University while also pursuing a master degree from the Romney Institute of Public Management. During law school, he externed for two federal judges, the Honorable Judge Benson and the Honorable Judge Green.

Mr. Butler is licensed to practice in the State of Utah and the State of California.