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February 2024 ยป thefivestar.com 65 February 2024 F E A T U R E S T O R Y February 2024 T O P W O M E N O F L A W Camille R. Hawk Partner/Attorney, Walentine O'Toole, LLP Camille Hawk, one of the region's leading creditors' rights attorneys, offers financial institutions first-rate representation in the areas of real estate, lending law, and default services, including lending regulations, bankruptcy, title issues, foreclosure, loss mitigation, litigation, closings, eviction, and collections. She is licensed in Nebraska and Iowa and has over 30 years' experience working with creditors. Camille has been published regionally and nationwide. She has presented seminars for NBI, Lorman, State Bar Associations, and other industry organizations. Some of her presentation topics include triaging files after moratorium holds, foreclosure gap seminars, ongoing CFPB changes, agricultural lending, and foreclosure pitfalls. She also has helped draft and pass several pieces of creditors' rights legislation related to manufactured homes, lines of credit, HOA and COA statutes, lien releases, Trustees' powers, and post-foreclosure funds disbursement requirements. Believing it is important to give back, Camille is active in professional organizations and serves on various community boards. She is the current Chair of the NSBA Education committee, the current Vice Chair of the NSBA Bankruptcy section and the NSBA Bank Attorneys section, a past Chair of the Bank Attorneys section, and a NSBA House of Delegates member. Catherine Di Lorenzo Managing Delaware Attorney, Stern & Eisenberg, P.C. Catherine Di Lorenzo is a Shareholder and Managing Attorney at Stern & Eisenberg, P.C., with 20 years of experience in criminal and family law, litigation, default servicing, litigation, estate planning, and general civil litigation. Specializing in foreclosure and bankruptcy, she's always felt strongly about fairness and equality. She has also faced her fair share of challenges as a woman in the industry. "I have definitely faced challenges my male counterparts have not experienced," she said. "I have been dismissed by other attorneys and judges, I have had to work harder for recognition and promotions, and I have been penalized for having to tend to my family rather than work. Women are inherently treated differently, and the expectations are almost unattainable at times." Despite these challenges, she finds that the most enriching part of her job is when lenders and borrowers can resolve a foreclosure with loss mitigation. Being a lawyer has allowed her to exercise her passion while becoming a shareholder in her firm has also been a career highlight. "I think every lawyer's goal is to become a partner or shareholder in a firm," she said. "I am flattered Stern & Eisenberg presented the offer to become a shareholder and it is definitely a big step in my career." She remains optimistic that mortgage and foreclosure processes can improve and is open to offering her insight and suggestions on how to do so. Di Lorenzo is becoming barred in other states so she can represent the firm in a larger capacity. Laura Scurko Senior Associate, Stern, Lavinthal & Frankenberg, LLC Laura Scurko is a Senior Associate at Stern, Lavinthal & Frankenberg, LLC, with 37 years of industry experience. She focuses in default litigation and foreclosures and her passion for law speaks to her successful career. "I have never really wanted to do anything other than to practice law," she said. "I enjoy being intellectually engaged in my tasks. I always liked to learn, and the practice of law provides an opportunity for continued learning daily. I also enjoy problem-solving. While the problems themselves can be daunting, assisting in a resolution is very satisfying." The extent of her experience provides a unique and practical perspective on the issues in default litigation. She has been a valued member of the firm's team since 2004. She has been instrumental in the firm's change management space, ensuring that developments in the law, policies, and procedures are implemented accurately and efficiently. "I am a member of a team of professionals who are observant of what is happening in our areas of practice both in the law and in policy," she said. "I am tasked with monitoring changes in the law and court policies and procedures. I help to facilitate incorporating those changes into our practice, and to advise clients about how those changes may impact their policies and procedures." Scurko is licensed to practice law in New Jersey and is admitted in the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals and is a member of the American Bar Association.