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66 TIFFANY B. SMITH Partner, McPhail Sanchez, LLC AREA OF LAW: Commercial Litigation NUMBER OF YEARS PRACTICING LAW: 13 Tiffany Smith is a Partner with McPhail Sanchez, with 13 years of experience in law, specializing in isolating specific issues clients face and finding innovative solutions. With legal issues facing the default servicing industry being ever- changing, she said that, as an attorney, her job is to constantly be prepared to adapt and update her strategies to better serve clients' needs. She chose to study law so that she could use her position as an attorney to represent her clients to the best of her ability. She said the challenge of figuring out the puzzle of each new issue and attacking it head-on is what makes the practice of law enjoyable and exciting. Each new legal question provides her with the opportunity to find a new strategy that might be better than the last, and thus provide even better service to her clients. Smith was recently chosen to be a member of the Alabama State Bar's 2022- 2023 Leadership Forum. As the industry moves forward in a post-COVID-19 environment, she said mortgage professionals' challenges are driven by an uncertain economic outlook with rising interest rates, inflation, supply shortage in the home market, and home values beginning to slip. Smith believes it is incumbent upon default servicing attorneys to keep up with regulatory changes, legislative changes and significant legal opinions that affect servicers and their investors. DAVID ADAM FRIEDMAN Partner, Van Ness Law Firm, PLC AREA OF LAW: Consumer Financial Services Litigation NUMBER OF YEARS PRACTICING LAW: 12 David Adam Friedman is a Partner with Van Ness Law Firm with more than 12 years of experience in law, providing support to the mortgage servicing industry through Legal League's Special Initiatives Working Group, which he said has been tremendously valuable. As a younger trial attorney, his biggest challenge is making a notable first impression in the courtroom in order to be taken seriously from the outset. He found that being the most prepared attorney in the courtroom made it rather simple to act with confidence, overcome that initial preconception, and earn the respect of the judiciary and your peers. In an ever-changing market, it can be challenging to incorporate changes to established industry standards, and that it's important to stay engaged so that clients understand and implement changes in order to manage risk and liabilities. Friedman believes it is critical that legal partners are committed to constant communication in order to put them in the best position to create favorable law. As Litigation Partner at the Van Ness Law Firm, all contested litigation runs through his department where he takes responsibility in ensuring that associates and tremendous staff are up to date with all changes in law so that he can continue to serve clients efficiently and successfully. THUY FRAZIER Foreclosure Oversight Attorney–Texas, McCarthy & Holthus, LLP AREA OF LAW: Creditor's Rights NUMBER OF YEARS PRACTICING LAW: 10 uy Frazier said the most fulfilling part of her job is when she assists not only her institutional clients, but also their customer matters that may seem adversarial in nature, all to find an amicable resolution for all parties involved. Specifically in default servicing matters, a mutually beneficial resolution can be a challenge to reach, but she finds it most rewarding when she can facilitate that result. She said she chose to study law because she wanted to teach in the form of counseling clients, judges, and other practitioners about matters that they may be unaware of or have not fully assessed. She said that as a young attorney it can be difficult to have your legal opinion heard above others, however, she has found opportunities to present value with jurisdictional and subject-matter expertise. Frazier also maintains professional rapport with opposing counsel maintaining a reasonable middle ground that will ensure the best outcome for both sides. She believes legal professionals need to stay informed and aware of actions proposed and taken at the federal, state, and local level that will impact the mortgage servicing industry. She said it makes her proud knowing clients value her expertise and legal opinion. RISING STARS