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MortgagePoint » Your Trusted Source for Mortgage Banking and Servicing News 60 February 2024 F E A T U R E S T O R Y March 2025 T O P W O M E N O F L A W CAREN J. CASTLE SENIOR MANAGING ATTORNEY, THE MORTGAGE LAW FIRM AREA OF LAW: Mortgage Default Servicing YEARS PRACTICING LAW: 45 With 45 years of legal experience, Caren J. Castle has built a career defined by resilience, mentorship, and leadership. Specializing in mortgage default servicing, she finds the most enriching part of her work in the relationships she has cultivated. "The work itself is always challenging, but the people—both internally and externally—make it fulfilling," she says. As one of the first female partners in a mortgage default servicing law firm, Castle has faced challenges unique to women in law. "I have certainly experienced being the only female in the room," she says. "While it has significantly changed, there were times when being heard was not always as easy." Still, she credits her success to strength, intelligence, and adaptability, adding, "The bigger challenges were perhaps more self-imposed—wanting to be 'all things to all people' as an attorney, wife, and mother." Castle's career highlights include serving as the first female President of USFN, chairing ALFN's Women in Legal Leadership Group, and leading industry organizations that shape legal and servicing best practices. "I am most proud of how I've maintained my resilience through the roughest times in my career." Looking ahead to 2025, she anticipates evolving regulations and economic pressures will challenge mortgage professionals. "Communication is always key," she advises. "Legal professionals and servicers must work as a team," whether it comes to leveraging technology or maintaining open dialogue to navigate industry shifts." For Castle, law was always a calling—one that led to a lasting legacy of leadership and innovation. 2 0 2 5 T O P W O M E N O F L A W ABBEY ULSH DREHER SHAREHOLDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CLIENT EXPERIENCE, BONIAL & ASSOCIATES, PC AREA OF LAW: Bankruptcy YEARS PRACTICING LAW: 19 With 19 years of experience in bankruptcy law, Abbey Ulsh Dreher's career is rooted in expertise, adaptability, and strong client relationships. "The most enriching part of my job is interacting with clients and building lasting relationships," she says. One of Dreher's proudest achievements is her multi- state licensure, which includes Texas, Georgia, Colorado, and Arizona, along with federal admissions in those states and Oklahoma. "Being licensed in multiple jurisdictions has given me a broader perspective and made me a more versatile attorney," she explains. As 2025 approaches, Dreher predicts that case volumes will present both obstacles and opportunities. "We're all hoping to face the challenge of increased volumes," she says. In anticipation of that, she says firms should prepare to ramp up staff in a timely manner to keep up with any potential rises in volume while maintaining high service standards. Dreher also emphasizes the importance of efficiency and collaboration in supporting lenders and servicers. "Sometimes the spread of matters across a variety of firms leads to inefficiencies, and some consolidation can be helpful if they are just made aware of all the aspects where we can be of assistance." A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Houston Law Center, Dreher is also deeply involved in professional organizations, playing an active role in shaping policies and best practices within the bankruptcy law sector. 2 0 2 5 T O P W O M E N O F L A W 2025 BLACK BOOK SPOTLIGHTS THE TOP Women OF LAW