WRIGHT - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the American Bar Association
- Senior Associate / California
Annabelle de la Mora, Esq. is a former partner of Pfeifer & De La Mora, LLP, and has over 30 years of complex civil litigation experience in the areas of business disputes, real estate and mortgage banking involving lender liability defense, wrongful foreclosure, loan fraud recovery, loan repurchase and servicing disputes, loss mitigation, and loan modification disputes. In addition, Ms. de la Mora has extensive experience in litigating matters involving escrow liability, creditor remedies, debt collection and creditor bankruptcy litigation.
Ms. de la Mora was previously an Assistant Vice-President and in-house counsel at Fidelity National Title Insurance Company and worked in its litigation department. She also has extensive experience in working as outside litigation counsel for title insurance companies and their lender insureds. In that capacity, she has handled a wide variety of title insurance issues and claims, including but not limited to lien validity and priority disputes, title challenges, curative title matters, coverage disputes, equitable subrogation, insurer recoupment matters, claims investigations, and insurer bad faith. In addition to representing title insurance companies, Ms. de la Mora has represented a wide variety of financial institutions, including nationally known banks, mortgage bankers, and loan servicers.
Ms. de la Mora has been a member of the American Bar Association, Real Estate Section of the California State Bar, Los Angeles County Bar Association and Orange County Bar Association.
Education
University of Pennsylvania (B.A., Sociology and Spanish Literature, 1979)
University of San Diego School of Law (J.D., 1985)
Job Titles:
- Managing Attorney of Bankruptcy, Unlawful Detainer & Surplus Funds
Arnold L. Graff joined Wright, Finlay & Zak in 2019 as the firm's Managing Attorney of Bankruptcy, Unlawful Detainer & Surplus Funds. He has over a decade of experience representing financial institutions and related entities in federal and state court. Mr. Graff currently focuses on bankruptcy, real property, unlawful detainer, creditor collections, and foreclosure-related litigation. He also specializes in all areas of bankruptcy law, including Chapter 11, 13 and 7 matters, as well as adversary litigation.
Mr. Graff is admitted to the State Bars of California, Nevada, Utah and Wisconsin, and is also admitted to practice before all state and federal courts in California, Nevada and Utah. He is also proficient in Spanish.
Education
Brigham Young University (B.A., Broadcast Journalism, 2006)
Marquette University School of Law (J.D., 2009)
Branden D. Kartchner, an Arizona native, graduated with a degree in political science from Brigham Young University in 2012 and received his Juris Doctor from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University in 2016. While in law school, Branden served as an editor of the BYU Journal of Public Law and a senior editor of the BYU Law Review.
After graduating from law school with honors, Branden began his legal career in Las Vegas, Nevada, working at a respected litigation firm where he specialized in commercial, healthcare, and insurance litigation. After several years of private practice, Branden transitioned to public service where he gained trial experience as a major crimes prosecutor in Tucson, Arizona, prosecuting violent crimes. In 2022, Branden joined Wright, Finlay & Zak where he primarily focuses on commercial and real estate litigation, including lender and servicer liability defense, wrongful foreclosure defense, and title disputes.
In his free time, Branden enjoys playing basketball, watching football, and spending time with his family. Branden speaks Spanish and is licensed to practice law in Utah, Nevada, and Arizona.
Education
Brigham Young University (B.A., Political Science, 2012)
J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2016)
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Member of the California
Cathy K. Robinson is a partner at Wright, Finlay & Zak. Ms. Robinson has practiced in the fields of bank & finance, commercial, and real estate litigation since 2003, representing a diverse variety of clients, including financial institutions, private lenders, loan servicers, and business owners in both California and South Dakota State and Federal Courts (including the Bankruptcy Courts). Ms. Robinson has experience representing national, regional and small loan servicers, investors and originators in all aspects of mortgage banking and consumer finance litigation. Additionally, Ms. Robinson has experience handling all types of real estate construction matters, including non-payment issues, general and sub-contractor disputes, mechanic's liens, public works, and other contract or tort-based construction disputes. Ms. Robinson has experience with trials in both California and South Dakota, as well as pretrial matters, depositions, arbitrations, and discovery disputes, and is well versed in negotiation and alternative dispute resolution. Ms. Robinson has appeared before the California Appellate Courts, the California Supreme Court and the South Dakota Supreme Court. Ms. Robinson also has experience in relation to various aspects of her clients' legal affairs, serving as general counsel for their business matters.
Ms. Robinson is a member of the California and South Dakota State Bars, and has been admitted to all courts in both states. Ms. Robinson is also a member of the California Mortgage Bankers Association ("CMBA") and the national Mortgage Bankers Association ("MBA"), and is a member of the Legal Issues Committee for the CMBA. Ms. Robinson is also on the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association ("NRMLA") State and Local Issues Committee. Ms. Robinson has been a speaker for the litigation panel at the CMBA Legal Issues and Regulatory Compliance annual conference and a webinar presenter for the Western Bankers Association ("WBA"), as well as hosts regular webinars for Credit Unions in the Western Region. Ms. Robinson is also a member of the National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms ("NAMWOLF") Trials Practice Area Committee, and is a member of Provisors - Irvine OC.
Education
University of South Dakota (B.S., Criminal Justice and Speech Communication, 1999)
University of South Dakota School of Law (J.D., 2002)
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Managing Partner - Nevada Office / Nevada
- Managing Partner of the Firm 's Nevada
Christina V. Miller is the Managing Partner of the Firm's Nevada office. Ms. Miller comes from a diverse background having spent her childhood living in the Middle East and Europe. Ms. Miller graduated from The American University in Washington, D.C. with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2005. Ms. Miller earned her Juris Doctorate, with a concentration in Business Law, from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in 2011. During law school, Ms. Miller received Witkin awards in Mediation, Business Transactions, and Commercial Law. Ms. Miller then worked as a Law Clerk for the Honorable Steven R. Kosach and the Honorable Brent T. Adams of the Second Judicial District Court of the State of Nevada before entering private practice in 2012. Since joining Wright, Finlay & Zak in 2015, Ms. Miller's practice has focused primarily on real estate litigation, including lender and servicer liability defense, wrongful foreclosure defense, fair debt collection practices defense, and title disputes. Ms. Miller regularly practices in state and federal courts throughout Nevada at both the trial and appellate levels, and is also admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Education
The American University (B.A., Psychology, Minor in Justice Studies, 2005)
University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law (J.D., 2011)
Darren T. Brenner joined Wright, Finlay & Zak as a Partner in the Las Vegas, Nevada office. His practice has focused on consumer finance litigation, insurance coverage, and commercial matters since 2003. Mr. Brenner has significant experience with consumer financial transactions, bad faith insurance litigation, insurance coverage litigation, contractual disputes, quiet title, declaratory relief, lien rights, wrongful foreclosure, FDCPA, FCRA, TILA, TCPA, deceptive trade practices, bankruptcy discharge violations, and class actions. Mr. Brenner has served as a speaker, panelist, and author of course materials for the National Business Institute. Mr. Brenner has appeared and argued before the Nevada Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and has tried more than twenty bench and jury trials.
Mr. Brenner has been litigating insurance coverage matters since 2004, primarily P&C personal and commercial lines, and has taken numerous cases to trial and verdict. He frequently writes and lectures on insurance coverage/extra-contractual and is qualified as an extra-contractual/claims handling expert on behalf of P&C insurer.
Mr. Brenner is licensed to practice before all federal and state district courts in Nevada, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Nevada, Nevada Court of Appeals, Nevada Supreme Court, and the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. He is recognized by peers and was selected to Super Lawyers for 2013-2019 and 2023. He has also been recognized by Nevada Business Magazine as one of Southern Nevada's top attorneys in Consumer Financial Services and Litigation multiple times, including as recently as 2020.
Education
University of California, San Diego (B.S., Management Science/Economics, 1999)
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles (J.D., cum laude, Order of the Coif, 2003)
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Member of the California Mortgage Bankers Association
- Partner / California
Gwen H. Ribar was admitted to the California Bar in 1997 and has been practicing in the mortgage banking and real estate litigation industry since 1999. Ms. Ribar has been with Wright, Finlay & Zak since its inception in 2002. Since then, she has managed nationwide loan servicing and title matters for a leading international bank and several loan servicers. Ms. Ribar also leads a team of attorneys in defending banks and servicers in all aspects of mortgage banking and consumer finance litigation, such as wrongful foreclosure, Homeowner Bill of Rights, predatory lending, title, bankruptcy, eviction and code violation matters. She also manages real estate transactional work, including, purchase and sale agreements, title review, creation of investor pools, development and construction contracts, ground leases, commercial and building leases, corporate formations, and construction, mini-perm and permanent finance documentation.
Ms. Ribar is a member of the California Mortgage Bankers Association (CMBA) and is secretary of the Legal Issues Committee, attended multiple legislative days, and graduated from the exclusive CMBA Future Leaders Program. She is a member of Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) and the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL). She has spoken on foreclosure law, title litigation, and the Homeowners Bill of Rights. She is a past Board member of CREW-Orange County and is currently on both the Membership Committee and SPIRE Committee. Gwen is Past-President of the Warren J. Ferguson American Inn of Court, Past-President of a Chapter of The Guilds of the Orange County Performing Arts Center, and a past member of the WIN-OC Women's Leadership Group. She spent several years judging the OC Constitutional Rights Foundation Mock Trial Competition, earning Scorekeeper of the Year.
Education
University of Southern California (B.S., Business Administration/Entrepreneurship, 1993)
Western State University College of Law, (J.D., 1996)
Hugo E. Hernandez-Diaz was admitted to the Nevada Bar in October 2020. During law school, Mr. Hernandez-Diaz worked as a law clerk for a prestigious National/International law firm where he gained invaluable experience in litigation and real estate law. Mr. Hernandez-Diaz served in various leadership roles during law school, including Region XIV President for the Law Student Division of the Hispanic National Bar Association from 2017-2019. Mr. Hernandez-Diaz served as the Notes Editor for the UNLV Gaming Law Journal, the only law student-based publication in the country, had his student note published in volume 10.2 of the UNLV Gaming Law Journal, and received the Dean's award for his overall contributions to the law school. Prior to joining Wright, Finlay & Zak, Mr. Hernandez-Diaz practiced medical malpractice defense, civil litigation, real estate law, and family law. Mr. Hernandez-Diaz is a member of the Nevada Latino Bar Association and the National Hispanic Bar Association.
Education
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (B.A., Political Science, 2016)
William S. Boyd School of Law (J.D., 2020)
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Associate / California
Jack J. Witkin is an associate attorney with Wright, Finlay & Zak. Jack graduated from Pepperdine Caruso School of Law in 2022 after earning a degree in psychology from Northeastern University in 2017. During law school, Jack interned for a boutique real estate development company specializing in single-family spec homes as well as for a nonjudicial foreclosure trustee company. Jack also returns each year to Pepperdine Caruso School of Law to assist in teaching the nonjudicial foreclosure process to students as part of the Real Estate Finance course curriculum. Jack is admitted to practice in the State of California.
Education
Northeastern University (B.S., Psychology, cum laude, 2017)
Pepperdine Caruso School of Law (J.D., 2022)
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate / California
James J. Ramos was admitted to the California Bar in 2007. Since then, he has focused primarily on real estate litigation and related areas of law. Mr. Ramos' professional expertise includes lender and servicer liability defense, complex title disputes, and all other areas which touch on or relate to real property rights. He is also well versed on both the plaintiff's and defendant's side with respect to general litigation.
Mr. Ramos graduated from the University of Chapman School of Law, where he served as the secretary of the Land and Resources Committee and was awarded the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Commercial Leasing. While at Chapman, Mr. Ramos also had the privilege of serving as a judicial extern for the Honorable Judge James N. Barr.
Education
University of California, Santa Barbara (B.A., Psychology, 2004)
Chapman University School of Law (J.D., 2007)
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate / California
Jennifer A. Brady was admitted to the California Bar after graduating from American University, Washington College of Law. Since joining Wright, Finlay & Zak in 2012, Ms. Brady focuses primarily on mortgage banking litigation, in particular, representing a wide array of financial services companies in state and federal litigation. In addition, on behalf of several financial services companies, Ms. Brady serves as Managing Counsel overseeing litigation throughout the United States. Ms. Brady is admitted to practice in the California State Courts, all of the U.S. District Courts within the State of California, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Education
University of California, Irvine (B.A., Criminology, Law & Society, 2004)
American University, Washington College of Law (J.D., 2008)
Jier Dong is an associate attorney with Wright, Finlay & Zak. Jier graduated from University of California-Irvine School of Law in 2020 after earning a master's degree in literature from University of Southern California and a bachelor's degree in psychology from University of California-Los Angeles. During law school, Jier was a law clerk for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and completed his graduation thesis on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's enforcement powers against lenders. Jier is licensed to practice law in California.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate / California
Joan C. Spaeder-Younkin is a senior trial attorney with the Firm. Since 1997, Ms. Spaeder-Younkin has focused her legal career on consumer credit, business and real estate litigation, representing a variety of clients in a wide range of matters involving mortgage banking, loan servicing, foreclosure trustee defense, general business and real estate, bankruptcy and evictions in federal and state courts. As a seasoned litigator, she provides clients with efficient case management, guidance through the complexities of litigation, and creative solutions, while addressing the unique needs of each client. Joan has authored various industry periodicals and has briefed and argued a variety of real estate issues with the California Court of Appeal.
Ms. Spaeder-Younkin is licensed to practice in all courts in the State of California, including all of the U.S. District Courts within the State of California and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Ms. Spaeder-Younkin is an active participant of CREW-Orange County, California Mortgage Association (CMA), Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), and a member of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee for the California Mortgage Bankers Association (CMBA).
Education
University of California, Berkeley (B.A., Political Science, 1993)
Southwestern University School of Law (J.D., 1997)
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Member of the California State Bar and Has Been Admitted
- Partner / California
Jonathan D. Fink is a partner at Wright, Finlay & Zak and is a California Certified Appellate Specialist. Mr. Fink has practiced in the fields of bank & finance, commercial, and real estate litigation since 1985, representing a diverse variety of financial institutions and other businesses both in State and Federal Court (including the Bankruptcy Courts), as well as in alternative dispute resolution proceedings. These cases have included numerous class action, mass joinder and multi-district litigation matters. Mr. Fink also has extensive appellate experience in both State and Federal Courts, having handled in excess of 200 appeals. In addition, Mr. Fink has been responsible for several amicus briefs on appeals in which non-party clients had an interest that needed to be presented and protected.
Mr. Fink is a member of the California State Bar and has been admitted to all courts in the State of California as well as the Bar of the United States Supreme Court. He has been a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association's Federal Courts Committee, the California State Bar Federal Courts Committee, currently serves on the California State Bar Consumer Financial Services Committee, and is a member of the William P. Gray Legion Lex Inn of Court. For several years, Mr. Fink served as a Temporary Judge for the Los Angeles County Superior Court system. Mr. Fink is the editor of the WFZ Quarterly Newsletter.
Education
University of Pennsylvania (B.A., magna cum laude with Thesis Honors, 1980)
Boston University School of Law (J.D., 1983)
Job Titles:
- Co - Founding Partner, Retired / California
Jonathan M. Zak was a co-founding partner of Wright, Finlay & Zak. In 2015, Mr. Zak transitioned to an Of Counsel role and in 2020, he retired after more than 30 years of practice as a litigation attorney.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate / Nevada
Jory C. Garabedian began his legal career as an attorney representing Nevada homeowners in construction defect disputes. He later transitioned into, and currently practices in, more diverse areas of commercial and real estate litigation, including quiet title, landlord/tenant disputes, lender and servicer liability, and wrongful foreclosure defense.
Mr. Garabedian is licensed to practice before all federal and state district courts in State of Nevada and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals where he has obtained numerous favorable judgments and appellate decisions for his clients.
Education
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (B.A., Criminal Justice, magna cum laude, 2003)
Thomas Jefferson School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2006)
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate / Washington & Oregon
Born in Connecticut, Joseph "J.T." McCormick first began practicing law in Florida in 2010 and has practiced in the fields of consumer protection and creditors' rights since then. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2010 after graduating from Stetson University College of Law in May 2010, where he was awarded the Blews Pro Bono Service Award. Mr. McCormick practiced law for six years in Florida with a heavy focus on real estate practice before moving and earning admission to the Washington Bar. Mr. McCormick joined Wright, Finlay & Zak in June of 2018, focusing mainly on real estate litigation, wrongful foreclosure defense, consumer litigation, and bankruptcy. He regularly practices in state, federal, and bankruptcy courts in Washington and Oregon.
Education:
University of South Florida (B.A., Social Science Education, 2000; M.A., History, 2004)
Stetson University College of Law (J.D., 2010)
Job Titles:
- Associate / California, Nevada & Arizona
Joy Brodowsky Thomas was admitted to the California Bar in 2010. She has subsequently been admitted to practice law in Arizona (2011), Nevada (2011), District of Columbia (2012) and Ohio (2013-currently inactive status). Ms. Thomas has been with Wright, Finlay & Zak since 2012. Prior to joining WFZ, Ms. Thomas worked for a large mortgage servicer in various capacities of default mortgage servicing for over a decade. This experience gave Ms. Thomas unique insight into litigation and representation involving mortgage banking, compliance, loan origination, loan servicing, title insurance, foreclosure, bankruptcy, eviction and real estate sale transactions. Ms. Thomas's practice focuses primarily on national litigation management as well as in-house legal matters for investors and mortgage servicers. Ms. Thomas's litigation management practice encompasses matters relating to mortgage banking, foreclosure, bankruptcy, eviction, title and real property transfers.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate / California
Kathryn A. Moorer, a Charleston, South Carolina native, was admitted to the California Bar after graduating Magna Cum Laude from Chapman University School of Law in May 2010. While in law school, Ms. Moorer served as a Senior Notes Editor for the Chapman Law Review and worked as a research assistant to Professor Celestine McConville. She also held several internship positions while in law school ranging from client liaison at a small private firm to law clerk at a public interest firm.
Ms. Moorer joined Wright, Finlay & Zak in August 2010 and is now a seasoned senior associate with the firm, focused primarily on real estate litigation, including lender and servicer liability defense, wrongful foreclosure defense, California's Homeowners Bill of Rights compliance disputes, fair debt collection practices/credit reporting defense, title disputes, habitability and landlord-tenant disputes, insurance disputes, bankruptcy adversary actions and appeals in both state and federal court. In addition, she has extensive experience handling consumer complaints filed with the California Department of Business Oversight and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Ms. Moorer ensures early evaluation of her cases in order to formulate the best strategy for resolution, whether that be through litigation or settlement, with client expectations in mind. She aims to provide her clients with quality, cost-effective legal services while maintaining clear lines of communication and works diligently to reach informal resolutions when possible, but has also successfully litigated hundreds of civil cases.
Education
College of Charleston (B.S., Sociology, cum laude, 2007)
Chapman University School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 2010)
Job Titles:
- Senior Attorney
- Senior Associate / California & Washington
Kathy Shakibi is a senior attorney at Wright Finlay & Zak. Ms. Shakibi has practiced in the fields of mortgage banking, default services and foreclosures since 2005. Ms. Shakibi has represented financial institutions and their service providers in state and federal courts in matters related to mortgage banking and default services. Ms. Shakibi was also former house-counsel for a multi-state foreclosure trustee and default services firm where she counseled on regulatory, compliance and change-implementation processes. Ms. Shakibi has published several articles for industry publications, spoken at industry conferences and presented on-site training. Ms. Shakibi is a former member of the United Trustees Association and Washington Mortgage Bankers Association. Ms. Shakibi is admitted to practice in the state and federal courts of California and Washington.
Education
California State University, Sacramento (B.S., Business Administration, 1995)
Whittier School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2004)
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate / California
Kristina M. Pelletier joined Wright, Finlay & Zak immediately after passing the bar in December of 2011. Prior to joining Wright, Finlay & Zak, Ms. Pelletier interned with the Department of Justice at the Office of the Solicitor General, and worked as an in-house counsel law clerk for a Fortune 500 property and casualty insurance company. Ms. Pelletier focuses primarily on mortgage banking litigation. Ms. Pelletier is admitted to practice in the California State Courts, all of the U.S. District Courts within the State of California, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Ms. Pelletier is located in Northern California and can handle all litigation matters filed in that part of the state.
Education
University of California, Santa Barbara (B.S., Law and Society, 2006)
Chapman University School of Law (J.D., 2011)
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate / Nevada
Lindsay D. Dragon, a native of Southern California, moved to Las Vegas in 2014 to pursue a career in law. Mrs. Dragon was admitted to the California bar after graduating from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 2013 and admitted to the Nevada bar in 2014. While in law school, Mrs. Dragon served as a member on the Law Review, the Student Body Association, and the Sports Law Group. Mrs. Dragon joined Wright, Finlay & Zak as an associate attorney in April, 2017 and primarily focuses on real estate litigation, including lender and servicer liability defense, wrongful foreclosure defense, fair debt collection practices defense, and title disputes. Mrs. Dragon is active in the Las Vegas community and in her spare time enjoys travel, sports and spending time with her family.
Education
University of California, Davis (B.A., Textiles and Clothing, Communication, 2009)
Thomas Jefferson School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 2013)
Luke I. Wozniak is a partner with Wright, Finlay & Zak. Mr. Wozniak's practice focuses on real estate and consumer litigation, with particular emphasis on mortgage banking, lending, and servicing disputes. Additionally, Mr. Wozniak counsels the Firm's clients with respect to regulatory and statutory compliance.
As a seasoned litigator and lead trial counsel, Mr. Wozniak provides the Firm's clients with efficient case management and guidance through the entire litigation process. Mr. Wozniak is admitted to practice in state and federal courts in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, and Montana. He has served as the lead trial counsel in both, State and Federal Courts and has argued numerous appeals before the State Courts of Appeal and the Ninth Circuit.
Education
Queens College (B.A., Political Science; B.A., Business Management, magna cum laude, 2002)
Whittier Law School (J.D., magna cum laude, 2006)
Job Titles:
- Managing Attorney, Title Resolution Department / California
- Member of the CLTA Legislative Committee
Michael J. Gilligan is one of the senior attorneys at Wright Finlay & Zak. He has over 40 years' experience in the title, escrow, and foreclosure industries, starting in 1970 as a title examiner, title officer, Chief Title Officer, Title Underwriter, claims attorney and in-house litigation attorney. Mr. Gilligan has been a litigation attorney since 1987, focusing on real estate, title, escrow, foreclosures and bankruptcies, and was the managing attorney for the Southern California litigation department of Fidelity National Law Group. His goal in litigation has always been to obtain a prompt, equitable resolution of the case for the benefit of his clients.
Mr. Gilligan has been a member of the CLTA Legislative Committee, and a past board member of the California Trustee's Association (now the UTA). He was also a member of the board of directors for the Moreno Valley Chamber of Commerce for a number of years.
Education
California State University, San Bernardino (B.A., Business-Finance, Insurance and Real Estate, 1978)
University of San Diego School of Law (J.D., 1984)
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner, Compliance, Licensing and Regulatory Division / California & Washington
Michelle A. Mierzwa joined Wright, Finlay & Zak's Compliance, Licensing and Regulatory Division in 2015, providing loan originators, lenders, servicers, trustees and others in the mortgage industry with state and federal compliance and regulatory counsel. Since 1998, her accomplishments include the management and resolution of litigated matters through jury and bench trials and appellate practice, creating the legal department for one of the largest non-judicial foreclosure trustees in the Western United States, the coordination of compliance audits, and managing the California branch of a national law firm. Ms. Mierzwa has worked with lenders and mortgage servicers of all sizes to ensure their compliance with state and federal laws, including, but not limited to, California Consumer Privacy Act, California and Nevada Homeowner Bill of Rights, state and federal FDCPA, RESPA, TILA, SCRA, Washington Foreclosure Fairness Act, Nevada, Oregon and Washington Foreclosure Mediation Programs, Dodd-Frank Act and CFPB Rules, state licensing laws, and governmental and regulatory agency investigations.
Ms. Mierzwa is serving her third three-year term on the Board of Directors of the United Trustees Association (UTA). She is the Chair of the UTA Legislative Committee and a member of the Legislative Committee for California Mortgage Bankers Association. She has monitored, proposed and analyzed new legislation affecting the industry, has participated on speaking panels for national lending industry conferences, and has provided education and clarification to the industry regarding the Dodd-Frank Act and the Servicing Rules of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Prior to her in-house and management experience, Ms. Mierzwa was a litigation and appellate attorney at a default services firm for ten years and worked in loan originations for three years. Ms. Mierzwa is licensed to practice in California and Washington.
Education
University of California, Santa Barbara (B.A., Communications; B.A., Spanish Literature, 1991)
California Western School of Law (J.D., top 11%, 1998)
Job Titles:
- Senior Compliance Counsel / California
Michelle R. Rodriguez joined Wright, Finlay & Zak's Compliance, Licensing and Regulatory Division in 2022. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Rodriguez was general counsel and chief compliance officer of Woodland Hills Mortgage Corporation, a mortgage lender, and R.C. Temme Corporation, a mortgage servicer for over 17 years, dealing with DRE & DFPI audits, identifying and resolving title issues, drafting standard and custom contracts, escrow instructions, lender disclosures, and private placement memoranda. During that time, Ms. Rodriguez handled licensing issues, and creation and oversight of compliance programs, policies, procedures and checklists, for state and Federal origination and servicing regulations, such as CA civil code mortgage laws, DRE regulations, ECOA, FDCPA, FCRA, RESPA, TILA, HMDA/Holden, GLB, CCPA, SAFE Act, Homeowner Bill of Rights, TRID/KBYO, HOEPA, cannabis-related lending issues, and CFPBs mortgage servicing rules.
Ms. Rodriguez is licensed as an attorney in California. In addition to holding a Juris Doctor degree, Ms. Rodriguez also holds a Masters degree in Business Administration from the University of Saint Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Ms. Rodriguez is a licensed real estate broker and maintains an NMLS MLO endorsement. Ms. Rodriguez is a member of the board of directors of the California Mortgage Association and is chairperson of that organization's Education Committee. She is a regular presenter at that organization's educational seminars and has presented educational topics for other mortgage trade associations including the national Mortgage Bankers Association, the California Mortgage Bankers Association, and the United Trustees Association. She is co-author of the 2019-2022 versions of the textbook entitled Professional MLO Education for MLO's for Duane Gomer Education.
Education
University of Wisconsin (B.A., Business Administration & English, 1991)
University of Saint Thomas (M.B.A., 1999)
Hamline University School of Law (J.D., 1997)
Job Titles:
- Senior Counsel / California
- Senior Counsel With
Nicholas G. Hood is Senior Counsel with Wright, Finlay & Zak's Transactional Division. As a litigator since 2006, Mr. Hood uses his significant litigation experience concerning contracts, real estate, partnerships, business matters, and lending to help his clients navigate their business dealings and avoid litigation from ever happening - something he and the firm call "preventive lawyering." Prior to joining the firm's Transactional Division, Mr. Hood served as vice president and in-house counsel for a large construction company, which gave him a unique business perspective that few attorneys ever receive. Mr. Hood represents and counsels major developers, property owners, landlords, tenants, contractors, technology and web-based companies, business owners and entrepreneurs with honest, practical, and well-experienced legal advice, which focuses on problem solving to get deals done. Indeed, over the course of his career, Mr. Hood has represented clients in matters totaling hundreds of millions of dollars in real estate and business assets. Mr. Hood is a published author in numerous industry and trade journals and often speaks on real estate and other business topics. He enjoys raising his two little boys with his wife, as well as mountain biking, snowboarding, hiking and golfing. He is also an advocate for and speaker regarding organ donation.
Education
University of Southern California (B.S., Business Administration, magna cum laude, 2002)
Loyola Law School (J.D., 2005)
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate / California
Olivier J. Labarre was admitted to the California Bar in 2009 and has been with Wright, Finlay & Zak since 2014, after beginning his career at a firm specializing in title insurance litigation. Mr. Labarre focuses primarily on mortgage banking litigation, with an emphasis on title matters, including quiet title, lien priority disputes, equitable subrogation, and fraud and forgery litigation. Mr. Labarre's practice also includes loan servicer and trustee defense in State and Federal Courts challenging various aspects of foreclosure, litigation under the ADA, insurance issues, adversary proceedings and eviction matters. Mr. Labarre both prosecutes and defends actions from the initial stages of litigation through trial and appeal. Mr. Labarre is admitted in all District Courts of the State of California, as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Education
Occidental College (B.A., Economics, 2004)
Western State University College of Law (J.D., 2008)
Ramir ("Rami") Hernandez, joined Wright, Finlay & Zak as an associate attorney in September 2017. Mr. Hernandez's practice primarily focuses on real estate litigation, Fair Credit Reporting Act defense, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act defense, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act defense, wrongful foreclosure defense, commercial litigation, landlord/tenant disputes, bankruptcy, and contractual disputes. Mr. Hernandez regularly practices in state and federal courts throughout Nevada. Mr. Hernandez is an active member of the Federalist Society and serves as the Incoming President of the Las Vegas Chapter. He also serves as President on the governance board of the Founders Classical Academy of Las Vegas.
Education
California State University, Fullerton (B.A., English, 2000)
California State University, Long Beach (M.A., English, 2009)
William S. Boyd School of Law (J.D., 2013)
Job Titles:
- Associate / Oregon & Washington
Richard A. Meadows served as an infantryman in the U.S. Army prior to obtaining his undergraduate degrees and J.D. from the University of Georgia. While in law school, he served as a member of the Georgia Law Review. After graduation, Mr. Meadows clerked for the Hon. Robert C. Jones in the Federal District Court for the District of Nevada. Following his clerkship, he has represented clients in insurance defense matters and complex commercial litigation. Mr. Meadows joined Wright Finlay & Zak in July 2023 and is currently focusing on real estate litigation, bankruptcy, creditor's rights, and other civil litigation.
Mr. Meadows is licensed to practice law in Oregon and Washington.
Education
University of Georgia (B.A., Political Science, 2015; B.B.A., Economics, 2015)
University of Georgia School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2019)
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate / California
Robert A. Olson was admitted to the California Bar in 2007 and has been with Wright, Finlay & Zak since 2014. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Olson held a variety of roles, including working at a large international law firm, as in-house counsel with a hotel developer, and as a sole practitioner. Mr. Olson's practice focuses on transactional law, specifically real estate and general business matters, including both buyer and seller side of purchase and sale agreements, ground leases, commercial development, and construction, representing both lenders and borrowers on acquisition, construction and permanent loans and refinances, equity raises, joint ventures, retail, office and industrial leasing, title and survey analysis, drafting land use documents, drafting operating agreements, assisting with corporate formation, and drafting all manner of contracts.
Education
University of California, Berkeley (B.A., Political Science; B.A., Mass Communications, 2002)
University of Southern California Law School (J.D., 2007)
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Senior Associate With the Firm 's Nevada
Robert A. Riether is a Senior Associate with the Firm's Nevada office. Mr. Riether comes from a diverse background, having worked as an auditor with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in New York City before returning to graduate school and earning a combined Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration. Mr. Riether graduated from the College of the Holy Cross with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics/Accounting in 2001 and earned his JD/MBA from Case Western Reserve University in 2007. Mr. Riether entered private practice in New York City in 2008 before moving to Las Vegas in 2012 and continuing in the private sector. Since joining Wright, Finlay & Zak in 2017, Mr. Riether's practice has focused primarily on real estate litigation, including lender and servicer liability defense, wrongful foreclosure defense, fair debt collection practices defense, and title disputes. Mr. Riether regularly practices in state and federal courts throughout Nevada and is also licensed in Arizona, New Mexico, New York and New Jersey. Mr. Riether is also a Certified Public Accountant licensed in both Nevada and New York.
Education
College of the Holy Cross (B.A., Economics/Accounting, 2001)
Case Western Reserve University (J.D., M.B.A., 2007)