[CLC-Discussion] Texas Collection Agencies

Michael Clark mclark at srhl-law.com
Thu Jul 28 07:27:22 PDT 2016


The statute allows an agent (ostensibly a notice company) to sign the lien, but requires an employee or the lienor to prepare it.  Anyone else see that as inconsistent?



Michael Clark, Esquire
Florida Bar Certified Construction Law Specialist
Siegfried, Rivera, Hyman, Lerner,
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From: clc-discussion-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org [mailto:clc-discussion-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org] On Behalf Of Michelle L. Rivera
Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2016 10:04 AM
To: 'Dan Vega'; CHernicz at Herniczlegal.com
Cc: clc-discussion at lists.flabarrpptl.org
Subject: Re: [CLC-Discussion] Texas Collection Agencies


The liens our office has seen that are prepared and recorded by notice companies are not signed by the contractor (or subcontractor); they are signed by an employee of the notice company as “agent” of the contractor. Just my two cents on the topic. Have a great day.

Kind regards,

Michelle L. Rivera, Esq.
 Attorney




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Williams Law Firm
2273 Lee Road, Suite 200
Winter Park, Florida 32789
Telephone: 407-926-4100

Michelle at WCLfirm.com<mailto:gtwlaw at ymail.com>
www.WCLFirm.com<www.WilliamsConstructionLaw.com>

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From: clc-discussion-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org<mailto:clc-discussion-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org> [mailto:clc-discussion-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org] On Behalf Of Dan Vega
Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2016 9:35 AM
To: CHernicz at Herniczlegal.com<mailto:CHernicz at Herniczlegal.com>
Cc: clc-discussion at lists.flabarrpptl.org<mailto:clc-discussion at lists.flabarrpptl.org>
Subject: Re: [CLC-Discussion] Texas Collection Agencies

Chuck, rigid interpretation of statutes to negate otherwise valid liens is not what the lien law intends to accomplish.

An employee with no training and no high school diploma can prepare a lien but not a notice company (obviously in both cases the lienor will sign and be sworn)???

An employee with no training and no high school diploma can prepare a lien but that is ok and not the unauthorized practice of law?  The employee is getting paid too.

Guys, what is the policy behind all of this??  If the lien is valid, timely, and accurate and the lienor deserves to be paid, are we going to strike the lien because it was prepared (signed by the lienor) but prepared by joe blow notice co?  And yet, the same valid lien prepared by a lay person employee is fine?

That to me folks is an absurd result.



Daniel R. Vega, Esq.
Board Certified in Construction Law & Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator
Taylor Espino Vega & Touron, P.A.
2555 Ponce De Leon Blvd., Suite 220
Coral Gables, Florida 33134
Telephone: (305) 443-2043
Facsimile:  (305) 443-2048
Cell:  (305) 962-5186
E-mail: dvega at tevtlaw.com<mailto:dvega at tevtlaw.com>
www.tevtlaw.com<http://www.tevtlaw.com>

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From: Charles B. Hernicz, Esq [mailto:CHernicz at Herniczlegal.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2016 9:17 AM
To: Dan Vega <DVega at tevtlaw.com<mailto:DVega at tevtlaw.com>>
Cc: 'Wolf, Brian' <bawolf at smithcurrie.com<mailto:bawolf at smithcurrie.com>>; 'Michael J. Kurzman' <MKurzman at wsh-law.com<mailto:MKurzman at wsh-law.com>>; 'Alex Barthet' <Alex at barthet.com<mailto:Alex at barthet.com>>; 'Arnold Tritt' <arnold.tritt at atritt.com<mailto:arnold.tritt at atritt.com>>; 'Willis, David' <dwillis at rumberger.com<mailto:dwillis at rumberger.com>>; clc-discussion at lists.flabarrpptl.org<mailto:clc-discussion at lists.flabarrpptl.org>
Subject: RE: [CLC-Discussion] Texas Collection Agencies

Dan, the statute allows preparation by the lienor, an “employee” of the lienor, or the lienor’s attorney.  What you describe below is the unlicensed practice of law by a notice company.


Charles B. Hernicz, Esq.
Board Certified in Construction Law by The Florida Bar
Hernicz Legal Services, P.L.
15854 Bent Creek Road
Wellington, FL 33414
Telephone: (561) 753-7511
Facsimile: (561) 753-7082
Chernicz at HerniczLegal.com



From: Dan Vega [mailto:DVega at tevtlaw.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2016 8:22 AM
To: CHernicz at Herniczlegal.com<mailto:CHernicz at Herniczlegal.com>
Cc: Wolf, Brian; Michael J. Kurzman; Alex Barthet; Arnold Tritt; Willis, David; clc-discussion at lists.flabarrpptl.org<mailto:clc-discussion at lists.flabarrpptl.org>
Subject: Re: [CLC-Discussion] Texas Collection Agencies

If the lien is defective, it is defective.

Are you all saying that a secretary at a subcontractors office cannot prepare the lien even though it is signed by the president of the sub?

If a notice company prepares the lien form based on info provided by the sub, and the sub president signs it, what is wrong w that?

Sent from my iPhone

Daniel R. Vega
Board Certified in Construction Law
Taylor Espino Vega & Touron, P.A.
2555 Ponce De Leon Blvd., Suite 220
Coral Gables, Florida 33134
Telephone: (305) 443-2043
Facsimile: (305) 443-2048
Cell: (305) 962-5186
E-mail: dvega at tevtlaw.com<mailto:dvega at tevtlaw.com>

On Jul 28, 2016, at 8:12 AM, Charles B. Hernicz, Esq <CHernicz at Herniczlegal.com<mailto:CHernicz at herniczlegal.com>> wrote:
I agree Brian.  Notice companies offer this and prepare liens all the time.  I’ve had to deal with numerous defective liens from notice companies.  This was outlawed in 713.08 in 2007, but it is not being policed or enforced.

Chuck

Charles B. Hernicz, Esq.
Board Certified in Construction Law by The Florida Bar
Hernicz Legal Services, P.L.
15854 Bent Creek Road
Wellington, FL 33414
Telephone: (561) 753-7511
Facsimile: (561) 753-7082
Chernicz at HerniczLegal.com



From: clc-discussion-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org<mailto:clc-discussion-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org> [mailto:clc-discussion-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org] On Behalf Of Wolf, Brian
Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2016 10:08 AM
To: Michael J. Kurzman; 'Alex Barthet'; Arnold Tritt; Willis, David; clc-discussion at lists.flabarrpptl.org<mailto:clc-discussion at lists.flabarrpptl.org>
Subject: [CLC-Discussion] Texas Collection Agencies

If the committee is going to address this issue, the committee should also address the larger problem of “lien notice services” offering to prepare claims of lien.

Brian A. Wolf
Partner
Board Certified Construction Attorney
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From: clc-discussion-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org<mailto:clc-discussion-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org> [mailto:clc-discussion-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org] On Behalf Of Michael J. Kurzman
Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2016 9:34 AM
To: 'Alex Barthet'; Arnold Tritt; Willis, David; clc-discussion at lists.flabarrpptl.org<mailto:clc-discussion at lists.flabarrpptl.org>
Subject: Re: [CLC-Discussion] Texas Collection Agencies

Perhaps a letter to the Florida Attorney General’s office to see if they are interested in looking into the matter?

It seems to me that if you can show they are using false and misleading information, the Attorney General may be interested…

Michael J Kurzman, Esq.
Florida Bar Certified In Construction Law
Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman
200 East Broward Boulevard - Suite 1900
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33301
954 763 4242

From: clc-discussion-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org<mailto:clc-discussion-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org> [mailto:clc-discussion-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org] On Behalf Of Alex Barthet
Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2016 9:13 AM
To: Arnold Tritt; Willis, David; clc-discussion at lists.flabarrpptl.org<mailto:clc-discussion at lists.flabarrpptl.org>
Subject: Re: [CLC-Discussion] Texas Collection Agencies

Arnie – I can’t argue with your logic about Grade A clients.  Grade B clients help pay the bills and may be susceptible.  Grade C clients, good riddance.

That said, as officers of the court knowing that they are fraudulently inducing those in the construction industry to hire them with false promises, if there is something we can do, we probably should.

Regards,
Alex Barthet
Board Certified in Construction Law
TheLienZone Construction Law Blog<http://thelienzone.com/>
vCard<http://barthet.com/Wordpress-Site/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/alexander-e-barthet.vcf> | Biography<http://barthet.com/team/alexander-barthet/alexander-barthet-full-bio/>

The Barthet Firm
200 S. Biscayne Blvd., Suite 1800
Miami, Florida 33131
305-347-5295
alex at barthet.com<mailto:alex at barthet.com>
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From: Arnold Tritt [mailto:arnold.tritt at atritt.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2016 9:05 AM
To: Alex Barthet <Alex at barthet.com<mailto:Alex at barthet.com>>; Willis, David <dwillis at rumberger.com<mailto:dwillis at rumberger.com>>; clc-discussion at lists.flabarrpptl.org<mailto:clc-discussion at lists.flabarrpptl.org>
Subject: RE: Texas Collection Agencies

MUCH TO DO ABOUT NOTHING.  Grade A business / construction clients don’t forsake their relationship with their legal counsel and engage an out-of-state collection agency to collect on a Claim of Lien based on a phone solicitation any more than Grade A business / construction clients engage an attorney in response to a radio spot.  The Texas boys have been at it for years and your Grade A clients will always call you when they are contacted by such folks. If your client was ever to be duped by such tactics it was not Grade A and should be dropped and referred to your competition.  Just my thoughts.  Arnie.

From: clc-discussion-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org<mailto:clc-discussion-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org> [mailto:clc-discussion-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org] On Behalf Of Alex Barthet
Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2016 8:43 AM
To: Willis, David <dwillis at rumberger.com<mailto:dwillis at rumberger.com>>; clc-discussion at lists.flabarrpptl.org<mailto:clc-discussion at lists.flabarrpptl.org>
Subject: Re: [CLC-Discussion] Texas Collection Agencies

David - I have tried to call on numerous occasions after they call my clients and they never call me back.  Once they know a lawyer is involved, they seem to duck back into the shadows.

Regards,
Alex Barthet
Board Certified in Construction Law
TheLienZone Construction Law Blog<http://thelienzone.com/>
vCard<http://barthet.com/Wordpress-Site/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/alexander-e-barthet.vcf> | Biography<http://barthet.com/team/alexander-barthet/alexander-barthet-full-bio/>

The Barthet Firm
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Miami, Florida 33131
305-347-5295
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From: Willis, David [mailto:dwillis at rumberger.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2016 8:36 AM
To: Alex Barthet <Alex at barthet.com<mailto:Alex at barthet.com>>; clc-discussion at lists.flabarrpptl.org<mailto:clc-discussion at lists.flabarrpptl.org>
Subject: RE: Texas Collection Agencies

I have heard similar stories.  Milton Myers went away when I returned the call.


David C. Willis
Board Certified in Construction Law and Business Litigation

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Direct: 407.839.2186
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From: clc-discussion-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org<mailto:clc-discussion-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org> [mailto:clc-discussion-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org] On Behalf Of Alex Barthet
Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2016 7:32 AM
To: clc-discussion at lists.flabarrpptl.org<mailto:clc-discussion at lists.flabarrpptl.org>
Subject: [CLC-Discussion] Texas Collection Agencies

Good morning all.  I am writing about an issue that I am seeing with increasing frequency.  The purpose of this email is to (i) alert the community of this practice, (ii) learn if others are hearing the same thing from their clients and (iii) see if folks smarter than me have any ideas how to deal with, or ideally, stop them.

Many of our clients that record liens are receiving unsolicited calls from collection agencies out of Texas, the two most common we are seeing are Tucker Albin and Assoc. (http://tuckeralbin.net/) and Milton Myers and Assoc. (http://www.mmatx.net/).  Obviously, they are getting the clients’ information by pulling the liens from the public records.

The problem is that they are making blatantly false statements such as they are working with others on the project and can guaranty payment if the client signs up, or they are representing several other lienors on the same project that are about the get paid and if the client signs up, he can get them paid now.  The reason I know these statements are false is because in the last two occasions that my clients received these calls, they were the only lienors on the projects and on both, I was already in contact with counsel for both the contractor and owner negotiating settlements.

I look forward to hearing from the group.

Regards,
Alex Barthet
Board Certified in Construction Law
vCard<http://barthet.com/Wordpress-Site/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/alexander-e-barthet.vcf> | Biography<http://barthet.com/team/alexander-barthet/alexander-barthet-full-bio/>

The Barthet Firm
200 S. Biscayne Blvd., Suite 1800
Miami, Florida 33131
305-347-5295
alex at barthet.com<mailto:alex at barthet.com>
www.barthet.com<http://www.barthet.com/>

This electronic communication may contain privileged, confidential, or proprietary information.  If you are not the intended recipient or an authorized agent of the intended recipient, please delete this communication and notify the sender.  Thank you.


Michael Kurzman
Partner, Florida Bar Certified in Construction Law

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