DS News

87 SARAH K. MCCAFFERY Powers Kirn, LLC., Attorney, Creditor's Rights, Bankruptcy Sarah K. McCaffery is a recent addition to Powers Kirn, LLC and has been practicing in the creditor's rights field for seven years. Her love of the law can be traced back to her watching a family friend graduate from law school when she was six years old. Today, McCaffery enjoys building relationships with clients. "Assisting them in various facets of the legal process is the most enriching part of the job for me," McCaffery said. Clients make sure to refer McCaffery and her team cases because they know she will work diligently for them, no matter what challenges the market may present. "We have a responsibility to provide up-to- the-minute recommendations to allow lenders and servicers to determine their most efficient and judicious use of resources in this ever- changing market," McCaffery said. According to McCaffery, as defaults continue to decline, legal professionals working in the mortgage sphere will need to be on top of their game to succeed. To face the challenges of her industry, McCaffery focuses on drawing from her unique experiences and perspective to think outside the box. "It is of the utmost importance for us to be as efficient as possible in providing our clients with top-notch service," McCaffery noted. NUMBER OF YEARS PRACTICING LAW: 7 ERIN MCCARTNEY ZBS Law, LLP, Managing Bankruptcy Attorney Erin McCartney has been a bankruptcy attorney representing both creditors and debtors for the past 12 years. She said that she is "fortunate to work with talented colleagues that genuinely care about the service provided to their clients." Early in her career, she quickly developed an understanding of the Bankruptcy Code and the unique restrictions and tools to best create a reasonable result for all parties. A career highlight, McCartney said, was "successfully arguing an appeal before the 8th Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panel, which created new precedent on lien avoidance actions in the 8th Circuit. After practicing for eight years in the 8th Circuit, I experienced a large transition from a one-district state to a four-district state with over 30 judges, all with separate local rules and local practices," she said. McCartney added that she was able to adjust to best represent her clients while maintaining a "positive reputation." McCartney said that she has now successfully argued appeals before the 9th Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panel. "‡roughout these past 12 years, I was also fortunate to become a mother to four wonderful children," she said. "‡rough my legal career, I am able to show my children the importance and reward of hard work." McCartney helps her firm by "staying educated on the changing legal environment and utilizing technological advances to keep the firm prepared for the challenging legal landscape." Legal professionals can best help lenders and servicers, McCartney said, by understanding and crafting "individualized solutions" that will work within the often cumbersome and challenging issues that arise. NUMBER OF YEARS PRACTICING LAW: 12 JILL REIN McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, Managing Partner, Consumer Accounts Jill Rein said she decided to study law because she was fascinated by law, the justice system, and "how it really worked." She told DS News, "Every person deserves justice and becoming a lawyer was a way to help make than happen." Rein noted the best part of her job is observing the changes taking place in the industry and the relationships built with her colleagues and clients over the past few years. However, she said the industry can expect to face continued scrutiny and regulation by outside organizations. She also added that women are often judged by a "different standard" but noted the industry is lucky to have many strong, successful women who have paved the way for others to follow. Rein said she is most proud of the recognition she has received from prior firms to grow and change with the times, resulting in several mergers over the past few years. Rein is a graduate of Loyola University- Chicago and studied law at Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology. She focuses her practice on the collection of unsecured debts for her clients. With over 23 years' default experience, she has represented lenders and servicers in foreclosure, litigation, eviction, and REO matters. Rein said a career highlight has been the recognition of her prior firms need to grow and change with the time, resulting in several mergers recently. She added that partnerships and open communication will be how legal professionals can help lenders and servicers streamline processes in 2020. NUMBER OF YEARS PRACTICING LAW: 29

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