Ohio Consumer Law

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Gregory S. Reichenbach

P.O. Box 711, Perrysburg, Ohio, 43552-0711

E: Greg@ReichenbachLaw.com P: 419-529-8300

Professional Summary

Skilled trial attorney with over 17 years of experience litigating consumer protection claims. Successfully represented numerous clients in individual and class-action cases. Practice focuses on protecting poor and working-class Ohioans from unfair and deceptive vehicle sales and repossessions, and abusive debt collection. A resource for training lawyers on consumer litigation topics.

Skills

Recovering damages and rescission for Ohioans harmed by unfair and deceptive business practices.
In depth understanding of consumer protection law governing used vehicle sales and repossessions, and consumer debt collection.
Ability to investigate and uncover people and evidence underlying corporate wrongdoing.
Solid communication and organization skills necessary to present complex arguments and evidence clearly.
Works well with unsophisticated consumers to present their cases effectively in Ohio and federal courts.
Obtaining appropriate statutory attorney fee awards.
Uncovering assets to collect judgments for consumers.

Work Experience

Gregory S. Reichenbach, Attorney at Law November 2004 – present

Independent trial attorney focusing on consumer protection litigation.
Investigate and assess individual and class claims against used car dealers and debt collectors to determine likelihood of success.
Gather evidence from opponents and third parties to prosecute consumers’ claims.
Engage in motion practice, defensively and offensively.
Negotiate settlements where possible and appropriate.
Present cases at trial to judges and juries.
Defend verdicts and summary judgment decisions at trial and appellate levels.
Recover assets from recalcitrant businesses to enforce judgments.

Education

Juris Doctor May 2004

University of Toledo, College of Law                                                                Toledo, Ohio

       Honors: Magna Cum Laude; Dean’s List
                       College of Law Merit Scholarship; Dean’s Law Scholarship

Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Studies March 1994

University of Toledo, College of Arts & Sciences Toledo, Ohio

       Honors: Cum Laude, College Honors
                       National Merit Scholar
                       President’s List; Dean’s List

Hobbies & Interests

I enjoy raising a wonderful child. In my free time, I operate an amateur radio station, and participate in emergency communication exercises. I enjoy visiting parks and growing native plants. I regularly help train legal aid and private attorneys on consumer litigation topics.

Wednesday, February 2, 2022

In December, with the assistance of my co-counsel Ed Icove, we obtained a $51,000 verdict for our client against Kevin O'Brien, a Columbus-area collection lawyer, and his firm.

Mr. O'Brien attempted to collect a debt by sending our client a letter claiming that he may foreclose on her home (where she and her husband have lived for almost 40 years) unless the small debt was paid. However, our client did not owe the debt. Also, Mr. O'Brien did not have the authority to collect the debt and did not actually intend to foreclose at all. Here is a copy of the jury verdict form which provides more detail.

The verdict included $1,000 in statutory damages and $50,000 for emotional distress.

Gregory S. Reichenbach, Attorney at Law
Honorific / Pronouns: Mr. / he, his, him
P.O. Box 711
Perrysburg, OH  43552-0711
Phone (419) 529-8300
Fax   (419) 529-8310
Greg@ReichenbachLaw.com
www.ReichenbachLaw.com
Twitter: @gsreichenbach
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ReichenbachLaw
Blog: http://consumerlawohio.blogspot.com

Protecting people from unfair and deceptive business practices, including abusive debt collection, automobile sales fraud, and vehicle repossessions.
 
NOTE: This communication and any attachments
may contain privileged and confidential information.
If you have received this message in error, please
contact Greg Reichenbach at (419) 529-8300, or
by replying to this email, and destroy all copies immediately.
Thank you.
 
Mr. Reichenbach does not represent you unless you and he have
signed a written agreement

Tuesday, October 5, 2021

The National Consumer Law Center's article, "Surviving Debt: Expert Advice for Getting Out of Financial Trouble" is now available for free, at least temporarily. Access it here: https://library.nclc.org/sd/0101

Gregory S. Reichenbach, Attorney at Law
Honorific / Pronouns: Mr. / he, his, him
P.O. Box 711
Perrysburg, OH  43552-0711
Phone (419) 529-8300
Fax   (419) 529-8310
Greg@ReichenbachLaw.com
www.ReichenbachLaw.com
Twitter: @gsreichenbach
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ReichenbachLaw
Blog: http://consumerlawohio.blogspot.com

Protecting people from unfair and deceptive business practices, including abusive debt collection, automobile sales fraud, and vehicle repossessions.
 
NOTE: This communication and any attachments
may contain privileged and confidential information.
If you have received this message in error, please
contact Greg Reichenbach at (419) 529-8300, or
by replying to this email, and destroy all copies immediately.
Thank you.

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Have you had a vehicle repossessed by Alliant Credit Union? I would like to talk to you.

Gregory S. Reichenbach, Attorney at Law Honorific / Pronouns: Mr. / he, his, him P.O. Box 711 Perrysburg, OH 43552-0711 Phone (419) 529-8300 Fax (419) 529-8310 Greg@ReichenbachLaw.com www.ReichenbachLaw.com Twitter: @gsreichenbach Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ReichenbachLaw Blog: http://consumerlawohio.blogspot.com Protecting people from unfair and deceptive business practices, including abusive debt collection, automobile sales fraud, and vehicle repossessions. NOTE: This communication and any attachments may contain privileged and confidential information. If you have received this message in error, please contact Greg Reichenbach at (419) 529-8300, or by replying to this email, and destroy all copies immediately. Thank you. Mr. Reichenbach does not represent you unless you and he have signed a written agreement

Monday, March 26, 2018

Have you been sued by Autovest on a debt from buying a car? I would like to talk to you.

Gregory S. Reichenbach, Attorney at Law P.O. Box 711 Perrysburg, OH 43552-0711 Phone (419) 529-8300 Fax (419) 529-8310 Greg@ReichenbachLaw.com www.ReichenbachLaw.com Twitter: @gsreichenbach Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ReichenbachLaw Blog: http://consumerlawohio.blogspot.com Protecting people from unfair and deceptive business practices, including abusive debt collection and automobile sales fraud.

Saturday, April 9, 2016

Successful Resolution of a Used Car Case against Taylor Cadillac dba Taylor Kia

I'd like to share an example of a case that we got resolved recently against a car dealer. The dealer was Toledo-based Taylor Cadillac, Inc. They operate a dealership in Findlay, Ohio under the name Taylor Kia. My client, who bought a car at the Findlay Taylor dealership, alleged the following:

Taylor had bought a certain 2013 Hyundai Elantra at an auction in Michigan.
The Hyundai had previously been owned and operated by a rental car company, and used as a daily rental.
The Hyundai had previously been crashed.
Taylor obtained a vehicle history report that showed the Hyundai's prior rental use.
When my client went to the Taylor dealership, she asked about another car, but was directed by a salesman to a different Taylor lot, and specifically to the Hyundai.
Even though Taylor knew about the car's history, at least the rental history, no one from Taylor told my client about it -- even though there is a box on the contract labeled "Rental Vehicle."
Without any clue about the car's history, my client bought the Hyundai, with the "Rental Vehicle" box not checked.

There were other details of our complaint, but the gist of it was that Taylor was required by law to tell my client about the prior rental history, because it knew about it. Later, my client found out about the history, and wanted to unwind the deal.

We filed suit against Taylor and the finance company involved, for unfair and deceptive acts, and for fraud. Shortly after the law suit was filed, Taylor made a two-part offer:

1) my client could either give the car back, get all her money back (including all her payments to the finance company and the value of her trade in), and Taylor would pay off all the money owed to the finance company, and would pay $2,500 for her attorney's fees and court costs, or

2) my client could accept a slightly higher amount of cash for herself and keep the Hyundai, but would still have to pay the finance company on her installment contract.

What would you do? Considering the car's history, my client did not want to take the chance that something major would go wrong. So we accepted the first offer, and my client can buy another car -- somewhere else, of course.

If you want to read the details, the Complaint in our lawsuit is here: Complaint

The details of how the case was resolved are here, in our: Notice of Acceptance of Defendant Taylor Cadillac, Inc.'s Cure Offer

Taylor did not admit any wrong-doing. And to be clear, the finance company was sued only because we alleged that the law makes it responsible to a certain degree for Taylor's alleged fraud and deceptive acts. The Court did not get to the point of deciding who was right or wrong.

If you think you have a case against a car dealer, keep in mind that every case is different. (Although sometimes I do see some patterns in he behavior of certain car dealers.)

Also, I'll use this opportunity to remind my readers not to sign an arbitration agreement. You might lose important rights to sue in court. More on arbitration, here.

Greg Reichenbach, Attorney at Law

PO Box 711

Perrysburg OH 43552-0711

Phone: (567) 331-2259

Email: Greg@ReichenbachLaw.com

Website: www.reichenbachlaw.com

Twitter: @gsreichenbach

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ReichenbachLaw