Blank Rome LLP is pleased to announce that Michael A. Rodriguez has joined the Firm as a partner in the Consumer Finance Litigation group. He brings more than 10 years of experience in various litigation matters, including the representation of mortgage lenders in the consumer finance industry. In addition, the Firm welcomes three new associates to the Consumer Finance Litigation group, Renee Meenach Decker, Jack S. Kallus, and J. Kirby McDonough. Mr. Rodriguez, Mr. Kallus, and Ms. Decker will be based in Blank Rome’s Boca Raton, Florida office; and Mr. McDonough will be based in Firm’s new Tampa, Florida office.
“We are pleased that Michael has joined the Firm and will help lead our continued growth in this market,” said Alan J. Hoffman, Co-chairman and Managing Partner. “His consumer finance litigation experience at both the federal and state levels is a great addition to our expanding consumer financial services industry team and our nationally recognized litigation practice.”
Mr. Rodriguez joins Blank Rome from the Florida law firm Greenspoon Marder, where he practiced in the areas of litigation, real estate, land use and local government. Mr. Rodriguez regularly represents lenders and financial institutions in a variety of consumer finance litigation matters in federal and state court, including disputes under TILA, RESPA, FCRA, ECOA and FDCPA, state law CLRA and Unfair Competition claims, and a variety of common law claims. In addition, he has represented real estate developers, investors, and corporate and individual landowners in development issues and local government lobbying, including: obtaining master plan and zoning amendments; amendments to local government comprehensive plans; site plan and zoning approvals; subdivision and platting approvals; environmental permitting with state, regional, and local permitting authorities; community redevelopment agencies; developments of regional impact; and code enforcement and building code compliance issues.
Admitted to practice in Florida and before the U.S. District Courts, Southern District of Florida and Middle District of Florida; and the U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit; Mr. Rodriguez earned his Juris Doctor from Vermont Law School, and his Bachelor of Arts degree from New College of Florida. Mr. Rodriguez serves as co-chair for the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, Kids Fitness Festival of the Palm Beaches. He previously served on the Palm Beach County Democratic Executive Committee and the Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Florida, Palm Beach Chapter.
“Consumer Financial Services is one of the hottest areas in the current legal arena,” said Wayne Streibich, Partner and Head of Blank Rome’s Consumer Financial Services Industry Team. “During the past year, we have significantly expanded our Boca Raton presence, and recently we opened a Tampa office, largely as a result of the high demand for legal services in the Consumer Finance Litigation area, and expect continued measured growth in the coming year. Most certainly, we are very focused on our operations in Florida, as the Florida market is a key component to our growth plan in this practice area.”
Renee Meenach Decker joins Blank Rome from Tabas, Freedman, Soloff, Miller & Brown, P.A. in Miami, FL. She concentrates her practice in the areas of consumer litigation, commercial litigation, creditors’ rights, bankruptcy, and civil litigation. Admitted to practice in Florida, Ms. Decker received her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of Florida College of Law, and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Transylvania University.
Prior to joining Blank Rome, Jack S. Kallus served as Assistant State Attorney, Office of the Miami-Dade State Attorney. He was also appointed as the youngest member of the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Mortgage Fraud Unit where he initiated investigations into complex schemes involving mortgage fraud, money laundering, and various other economic crimes. Admitted to practice in Florida, the District of Columbia and New York and before the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, Mr. Kallus received his Juris Doctor from New York Law School and his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, cum laude, from Queens College.
Prior to joining Blank Rome, J. Kirby McDonough served as Assistant State Attorney, State Attorney’s Office, 5th Circuit, Ocala FL. He also previously served as litigation attorney at Lederer & Nojima, LLP in Los Angeles. Admitted to practice in Florida and California, Mr. McDonough received his Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law and his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of North Texas.
