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2 A New Year of Challenge and Opportunity Once again, our January edition of DS News focuses on our industry's legal side, and specifically the financial services law firms who serve as capable partners to mortgage servicers. In 2020, the industry faced unprecedented challenges, with COVID-19 spiking unemployment rates, sending millions into forbearance plans, and forcing every organization to adapt in big and small ways. Many homeowners will be exiting forbearance in the coming months, with some inevitably facing the possibility of foreclosure as the nation continues to navigate the economic fallout of the ongoing health crisis. at partnership between servicer and attorney has never been more critical. In our cover story, attorneys from several firms discuss the top trends and challenges that they expect to define 2021, from moratoria extensions and massive court backlogs. ey also discuss how they've weathered the financial difficulties of 2020's departure from "business as usual" on the default servicing front and how they have adapted to weather this particular storm. In the rest of our "Legal Update" section, we share insights into critical case law and essential procedures, gathered from nearly a dozen firms representing Five Star's Legal League 100 membership group. From national issues down to state-level cases that could have broader implications, this section will bring you up to speed on what the legal commu- nity has been dealing with and discussing. is issue also brings you the latest installment of our annual Black Book section, featuring photo and text profiles of top-tier financial services legal firms from across the country. Give the section a close look—these could be the potential partners you'll need in the new year. Another returning tradition this year is our Top 25 Women of Law list. From attor- neys to other legal professionals working within the lender and servicer community, we're honored to bring you profiles of some of the talented women professionals working within this space. Finally, be sure not to miss the debut of our new recurring "Most Valuable Company" segment. Each installment of this department will take you inside one of our industry's hard-working companies to learn how they do business and what lessons we can all take away from their first experiences. We're excited to debut our "Most Valuable Company" section with a look at national property registration and preservation compliance and fulfill- ment vendor BRON. Welcome to the January edition of DS News. David Wharton Managing Editor VOL. 19 NO. 1 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Rachel Williams EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jonathon Won MANAGING EDITOR David Wharton REPORTERS Christina Hughes Babb Cristin Espinosa ONLINE CONTRIBUTORS Veronica Bradley Chuck Green Phil Hall Andy Beth Miller CONTRIBUTORS Victoria Arute, Ryan Bourgeois, Phil Britt, Roy Diaz, Robert D. Forster, II, Jeffrey S. Fraser, Michelle Garcia Gilbert, Michelle Gilbert, Brian Golberg, Seth Greenhill, Charles P. Gufford, Katie Jo Keeling, Santo Longo , Brian P. Scibetta, Robert Wichowski, Marissa Yaker, Kristin A. Zilberstein ADVERTISING Sales: 214.525.6700 2020 EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Dawn Adams, SVP, Default Servicing, Roundpoint Mortgage Servicing Tendayi Kapfidze, Chief Economist, LendingTree Courtney Thompson, SVP, Default Mortgage Servicing, Flagstar Bank Jacob Williamson, VP, Distressed Assets, Fannie Mae Kim Yowell, EVP of Servicing, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation BLACK BOOK PHOTOGRAPHY KPStudios.com Muñoz Photography Nitsydego Photography CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Todd Storch CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Jonathan Hughes DESIGN Jordan Funderburk Jason Stone Jonathon Won No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. ©2020 Five Star Global, LLC—All Rights Reserved This publication is intended to provide accurate, authoritative, and detailed information in regard to the subject matter covered. All written materials are disseminated with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal advice or other professional services. Under no circumstance should the information contained herein be relied upon as legal advice as it is designed to be a source of information only. DS News strongly encourages the use of qualified attorneys or other qualified experts with regard to the subject matter covered. DS News does not guarantee the accuracy of the information, and is not liable for any damages, losses, or other detriments that may result from the use of these materials. Follow DSNewsDaily on From Our Desk