Did you buy a car from Allstar Motor Sales in Newark, Ohio in the last several years?  If so, please call me at 567-331-2259.  I am investigating a case and your information could be useful.

Sued by Prestige Financial Services on a repossessed car?

If you have been sued in Ohio by Prestige Financial Services on a repossessed car (alleged) debt, I am interested in talking to you.

Gregory S. Reichenbach, Attorney at Law
Pronouns: He, his, him
P.O. Box 438
Walbridge, OH  43465-0438
Phone (567) 331-2259
Fax   (419) 529-8310
Greg@ReichenbachLaw.com
www.ReichenbachLaw.com
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 (567) 331-2259, 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

Don't use AI to convince me to take your case. Just tell me what happened.

If you want me to consider your possible case, read to the end.👇

AI or "Artificial intelligence" is so common that it's hard not to use it.  But here's the thing.  If you want me to consider a potential case that you have, and you ask AI for help in how to present that case to me, it's not going to work.  On the contrary, when I see AI language in an email about a case, it's less likely that I'll ultimately take the case.

Why?  Because I am a human, and presumably you are a human.  And I want to talk to you like humans do.  When I am looking at a new potential case, the first and most important thing I want to know is what happened.  In plain language.  That's it.  If it's something I'll consider, then I'll let you know what else I need, and we'll probably talk about what happened.

Here's what I don't want:

I don't want to hear about what the law is.  That's my job.  And AI often gets it wrong.

I don't want to hear fancy words to prove that you're smart or educated.  I don't care whether you're smart or educated.  I help people who have been taken advantage of.

I don't want the information that AI thinks will be helpful.  AI is not better than me at knowing what I need from you.

So again, if you are emailing me about a new case, tell me what happened in plain language.  The way you normally talk.  Tell me a short story, start to finish.  I don't need every detail.  It doesn't matter to me if your grammar or spelling is poor.  I don't care if you have a cultural way of speaking.  You do not need to hide who you are.

Now, if you need AI because of a disability or language issue, that's fine!  No problem.  Use the AI to solve that problem, but don't ask it what I want to hear.

If you need AI to translate what happened from your plain language explanation into English, great, use it!  I have clients who don't speak English.  We'll deal with it.

If you need AI to help you deal with a physical or mental disability, no problem!  You and your doctor know how best to deal with your disability and help from technology can be awesome.

But still, do not ask AI how you should present your case to me.  I promise you, it does not know.

Resume

Gregory S. Reichenbach

P.O. Box 438, Walbridge, Ohio, 43465-0438

E: Greg@ReichenbachLaw.com  P: 567-331-2259

Professional Summary

Skilled trial attorney with over 20 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.

Trial result against a debt collector attorney

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

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.

 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

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.

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

Robocalls

"Robocalls" are a constant problem. Check out my new web page explaining the basics: http://www.reichenbachlaw.com/robocalls.htm

Greg Reichenbach, Attorney at Law

PO Box 256

Bluffton OH 45817

Phone: (419) 529-8300

Email: Greg@ReichenbachLaw.com

Website: www.reichenbachlaw.com

Twitter: @gsreichenbach

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

Arrested for failing to pay a debt?

I've talked to a number of people lately who have been arrested in connection with an alleged debt.  In one case, the client was sued by her former lawyers, for failing to reimburse them for a filing fee.  Even though it appeared that they knew she had moved, the law firm had her served with a motion for a bench warrant at her old address.  That case has been resolved to the client's satisfaction.

In another case, a taxpayer was charged with the crime of failing to file a tax return by a city in Ohio.  She didn't actually owe any taxes (she worked, but had taxes taken out of her check by her employer).  Even after she paid the $25.00 late fee, she was still arrested, apparently for failing to pay court costs and for failing to appear at trial.  This case is still under investigation.

If you have been arrested in connection with an alleged debt (other than child support or spousal support -- I don't handle those matters), feel free to contact me for a no-cost consultation.  In appropriate cases, clients don't have to pay my fees out of pocket.

Greg Reichenbach, Attorney at Law

PO Box 256

Bluffton OH 45817

Phone: (419) 529-8300

Email: Greg@ReichenbachLaw.com

Website: www.reichenbachlaw.com

Twitter: @gsreichenbach

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

Good Bloomberg article on bogus student loan collection law suits

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-06-04/the-student-debt-collection-mess

This great article by Natalie Kitroeff exposes bogus student loan collection law suits filed by National Collegiate Student Loan Trusts.  It uses one of my cases as an example.

UPDATE: Oct. 19, 2015: I'm happy to report that both of these collection cases have been dismissed.

Greg Reichenbach, Attorney at Law

PO Box 256

Bluffton OH 45817

Phone: (419) 529-8300

Email: Greg@ReichenbachLaw.com

Website: www.reichenbachlaw.com

Twitter: @gsreichenbach

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

Ohio Health Care survey calls

Have you received calls to your cell phone for a "State of Ohio" health care survey?  I'm interested in hearing about it.  The calls may violate consumers' privacy rights.

Greg Reichenbach, Attorney at Law

PO Box 256

Bluffton OH 45817

Phone: (419) 529-8300

Email: Greg@ReichenbachLaw.com

Website: www.reichenbachlaw.com

Twitter: @gsreichenbach

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

Be Kind to Lawyers Day

This past Tuesday was "be kind to lawyers day." Here's how my day started. I got a call from the family of a man who suffers from a variety of mental illnesses. He struggles, and is doing reasonably well with medication. This is his story. A few days before, he got a flyer in the mail advertising a "giveaway" at a car dealership -- one of those that has a key taped to it, and says you won one of three prizes. He took the flyer in to see what he had "won." What happened next is shocking.

In order to even find out what he "won" he had to sit through a sales presentation. Despite his telling the salesman that he did not want to buy a vehicle, he was convinced to give him the key to his current car, supposedly to find out what the exact mileage was. The salesman did not give the key back to him. Over the next few hours, he is given a high-pressure sales talk. They show him a big fancy expensive 4-door pickup truck. He repeatedly says he does not want to buy it. But the salesman takes the license plate off his current car and puts it on the truck. He still says no -- he can't afford it. He doesn't have a job, and only gets social security. They convince him to call his wife. He does. She says no too. He is due to take his medication, and starts to shake. He is getting very stressed, and although he is able to take his meds (without food, as he normally does), he just wants to leave. So, in that state, he signs over his trade-in, and "agrees" to buy the $16,000 truck for $34,000, and goes home. His family called me.

I agreed to try to convince the dealer to unwind the deal, at no charge to my client (pro bono), if it could be done without a law suit. So I faxed a letter to the dealer and the finance company involved. The owner of the dealership called. At first, he was polite, and actually agreed to cancel the deal. So far, so good. Then it became clear that he also wanted my client to recant his story, and to tell the finance company that the story didn't happen that way. We said no. That's when I got called an “ambulance-chaser” and was accused of “slander.” That was also the end of the conversation. I politely suggested that the dealer have his attorney contact me if he still wanted to unwind the deal without a law suit.

Thankfully, the dealer's lawyer had more sense than his client. We unwound the deal. The client got his car back, and the contract was canceled. And then, I got something I have never received from a car dealer in nine years of consumer protection cases: an apology.

Greg Reichenbach, Attorney at Law

Bluffton Ohio

Email: Greg@ReichenbachLaw.com

Website: www.reichenbachlaw.com

Twitter: @gsreichenbach

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

Abusive Debt Collection in Hospitals?

The New York Times reports on a debt collector that meets you at the hospital to demand payment.

Greg Reichenbach, Attorney at Law

Bluffton Ohio

Email: Greg@ReichenbachLaw.com

Website: www.reichenbachlaw.com

Twitter: @gsreichenbach

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

A chance to preserve consumer protection in Ohio

Click here for an article explaining why you should call or email the governor about House Bill 275.

This is important.  You might need the Consumer Sales Practices Act someday, and it is in the process of being gutted.

Greg Reichenbach, Attorney at Law

Bluffton Ohio

Email: Greg@ReichenbachLaw.com

Website: www.reichenbachlaw.com

Twitter: @gsreichenbach

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

Free legal services for locked out Cooper union members in Findlay

In solidarity with union workers, during the Cooper lockout in Findlay, Ohio, I will be offering free legal services to union members of USW Local 2071 who are sued on credit card, medical or automobile repossession debts.

Greg Reichenbach, Attorney at Law

Bluffton Ohio

Email: Greg@ReichenbachLaw.com

Website: www.reichenbachlaw.com

Twitter: @gsreichenbach

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

“Last Dollar” scams

Check out this Article in the Connecticut Law Tribune by Mark Dubois.

It explains how the laws that ban the unauthorized practice of law are consumer protection laws, and are needed to prevent people from being scammed by people looking for your "last dollars."

Greg Reichenbach, Attorney at Law

Bluffton Ohio

Email: Greg@ReichenbachLaw.com

Website: www.reichenbachlaw.com

Twitter: @gsreichenbach

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

War of the wealthy against consumer protection laws

Read this blog by my colleague Ron Burdge, on a direct attack on consumer protection law by the rich.

Greg Reichenbach, Attorney at Law

Bluffton Ohio

Email: Greg@ReichenbachLaw.com

Website: www.reichenbachlaw.com

Twitter: @gsreichenbach

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

Why we need to defend the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

We should not let the right derail the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau before it even gets started.  Click here for 10 good reasons.

 

Greg Reichenbach, Attorney at Law

Bluffton Ohio

Email: Greg@ReichenbachLaw.com

Website: www.reichenbachlaw.com

Twitter: @gsreichenbach

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