I am pleased to announce that we have successfully negotiated a class settlement in Martin v. Trott Law PC and David A. Trott, a fair debt action we filed in August 2015 in the U.S. District Court for the E.D. Michigan, Case No. 2:15-cv-12838.  The settlement, if approved by the Court, will provide a total $7.5 million Common Settlement Fund and changes to the wording of fair debt letters sent by Michigan’s largest foreclosure firm.

My heartfelt thanks to our class representatives, Brian J. Martin, Yahmi Nundley, and Kathleen Cadeau, who have a done a wonderful job representing the class. It will take several months to implement the settlement.

Hundreds of thousands of Michigan homeowners stand to benefit from this settlement.  The class size is estimated to be over 290,000 members.  Those class members who choose to file a claim are estimated to receive $75-$150, depending on the number of claims filed, thorough the amount could be higher or lower.  The lawsuit presents claims that the letters were misleading in several respects in violation of federal and Michigan fair debt laws, in particular by implying a greater degree of attorney review than in fact occurs.  Defendants do not admit liability or wrongdoing. Class members will not release individual claims not based on the form language of the letters, or claims against the bank or mortgage servicers on whose behalf Trott Law (f/k/a Trott & Trott) sent the letters.

My thanks also to co-counsel Andrew N. Friedman (Co-Class Counsel) and Sally Handmaker of Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll;, Washington, D.C.; Daniel Karon of Karon LLC,  Cleveland, OH; and Paul  Novak and Diana Gjonaj, currently of  Weitz & Luxenberg, Detroit, MI (formerly of Milberg LLP)–each of whom contributed to the successful prosecution of this case.  Drew.