member groups within the american legal & financial network ALFN offers members an opportunity to serve on small, issue or practice-specific groups. Seats are held by the company and are generally limited to a set number of members per group. Each group is led by a Chair and Co- Chair, and members serve for a term of one year. To read the full responsibilities and guidelines, see page three of this document. If you are an ALFN member in good standing and interested in participating on one of the groups detailed below, please complete the online application and agreement. For additional information on any ALFN group, contact Cade Holleman, ALFN AVP, Government Relations & Communications, at cholleman@alfn.org. AMICUS BRIEF GROUP ABG The ALFN Amicus Brief Group monitors appellate cases with the potential for major industry or practitioner impact. The group reviews and approves submitted cases as well as coordinates position development, authorship, and submission of amicus briefs on behalf of the ALFN. The Amicus Brief Group meets as cases are suggested and thereafter as necessary. ANNUAL CONFERENCE PLANNING GROUP ACPG The ALFN Annual Conference Planning Group assists the ALFN Executive Team and Board of Directors in planning for the next annual conference (ANSWERS) scheduled for July 2015. Group responsibilities include assisting with servicer invitations, securing sponsorships, inviting other members and colleagues to attend, acting in an advisory capacity where needed on conference schedule, activities and session planning. NEW IN 2015: MARKETING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GROUP MBDG The ALFN Marketing & Business Development Group (MBDG) combines the important initiatives of advancing the brand value of the ALFN and its members among the mortgage banking industry. Members of the group develop innovative marketing strategies to increase the recognition of ALFN's resources, initiatives, and educational/training programs, and collaborate to determine appropriate and relevant messages and materials. In a consultative capacity, the MBDG assists in the development of concepts, plans, strategies, programs, and activities that support, facilitate, and otherwise guide the marketing and public relations efforts for ALFN. This group will also be directly responsible for building relationships with servicers, getting their support for ALFN events and activities, and also assisting in bringing new members into the association. MEMBER ADVOCACY GROUP MAG *formerly the Task Force on Fees & Billing The Member Advocacy Group builds on recent regulatory, vendor management, and file volume issues affecting ALFN members operating primarily in the mortgage default space. Designed as a forum to foster dialogue on long-term challenges facing the industry, the Member Advocacy Group s goal is to increase transparency between mortgage servicers, their legal counsel, and the industry s key regulatory bodies such as the CFPB and FHFA with a particular focus on the interpretation, implementation, and enforcement of new mortgage servicing regulations and guidelines. This proactive, dialogue-driven group is tasked with leveraging the Association s key influencers in a high-touch, diplomatic effort to build bridges, deepen relationships, and affect positive change in the perception of the mortgage servicing industry. This group will conduct advocacy efforts with members of Congress, to educate them on the challenges in our industry, and to facilitate legislation/bills that are drafted with the needs of our industry in mind. Will play an important role in the ALFN s annual Advocacy day in Washington, DC. LEGISLATIVE & REGULATORY POLICY GROUP LRPG The Legislative & Regulatory Policy Group (LRPG) is ALFN's key government relations and advocacy-oriented group. The LRPG focuses on four strategic areas: emerging federal legislative issues; emerging state legislative issues; regulatory rule-making, implementation, and comment; and, legislative events and publications. The LRPG meets quarterly and may schedule calls as necessary. The LRPG is responsible for authoring/coordinating a Legislative & Regulatory Outlook insert in the Spring (April 2015) ALFN ANGLE digital magazine.
BANKRUPTCY PRACTICE GROUP BKPG The ALFN Bankruptcy Practice Group (BKPG) focuses on recent cases, bankruptcy rules changes and other issues affecting mortgage servicers. The BKPG focuses on national, industry-wide issues, local bankruptcy rules and rule changes, new debt collection strategies, standing, and MERS, among others. The BKPG meets quarterly by teleconference and may schedule other calls as needed. The BKPG is responsible for coordinating two ALFN webinars annually; hosting one guest speaker teleconference; and authoring/coordinating a BK insert in the Winter (January 2015) ALFN ANGLE digital magazine and contributing other legal updates for distribution. NEW IN 2015: COLLECTIONS PRACTICE GROUP CPG The ALFN Collections Practice Group (CPG) is open to all members of the association currently having a practice within their law firm focused on or built around commercial or retail debt collections, and other ancillary service providers with collection services. This group will work with NARCA (National Association of Retail Collection Attorneys) on common initiatives, host at least 2 webinars on collections topics, host one guest speaker teleconference, network with other collections attorneys in the group, provide peer-to-peer referrals and submit articles and legal updates for publication in the ALFN Angle and other sources. This group will meet quarterly by teleconference and may schedule other calls as needed. NEW IN 2015: COMMERCIAL LAW PRACTICE GROUP COMLAW The ALFN Commercial Default Practice Group (COMLAWPG) is open to all members of theassociation currently having a practice within their law firm a focused on or built around commercial real estate law, and other ancillary service providers with commercial default services (Receivers, Asset Management Companies, Brokers, etc.). COMLAW plans to host client meetings in 2015, and will require a substantial time and monetary commitment from participants as well an obligation to bring clients to networking events and other COMLAW functions. This group will host at least two webinars on commercial default topics, host one guest speaker teleconference, provide peer-to-peer referrals and submit articles and legal updates for publication in the ALFN Angle and other sources. This group will meet quarterly by teleconference and may schedule other calls as needed. DEFAULT SERVICES PRACTICE GROUP DSPG The ALFN Default Services Practice Group (DSPG) includes practitioners from all areas of default services including foreclosure, REO, evictions, title and title curative. The practice group monitors best practices and emerging trends in foreclosure timelines, eviction processes and laws, relocation assistance, REO management, tenant issues and other foreclosure-related issues throughout various jurisdictions. The DSPG meets quarterly and may schedule calls as needed. The DSPG is responsible for coordinating two ALFN webinars annually; hosting one guest speaker teleconference; and authoring/coordinating a Default Services insert in the Summer (July 2015) ALFN ANGLE digital magazine. NEW IN 2015: COMPLEX LITIGATION PRACTICE GROUP COMLIT The Complex Litigation Practice Group (COMLIT) is a cross-practice group whose focus is on complex litigation covering all aspects of default services and creditors rights legal issues. Areas include foreclosure, REO, title, title curative, bankruptcy, class action and other related complex litigation affecting the clients of ALFN member firms. COMLIT meets quarterly and may schedule calls as necessary. JUNIOR PROFESSIONALS & EXECUTIVES GROUP JPEG The ALFN Junior Professionals & Executives Group (JPEG) is the ALFN s young professional s network. The JPEG group focuses on career and business development and discusses issues including networking, marketing, practice area resources, public speaking and professional growth. The JPEG group organizes networking mixers (MBA National Servicing and ANSWERS), web-events and mentor/mentee opportunities, and publishes an annual profile of 10 stand-out young professionals, JPEG: Picture the Future. To join the JPEG group, young professionals must be under 40 years of age or have fewer than five years of industry experience. JPEG meets quarterly and may schedule calls as needed. JPEG is responsible for coordinating two young professionals mixers annually; hosting one guest speaker teleconference; and authoring/coordinating a JPEG insert in the Fall (October 2015) ALFN ANGLE digital magazine. NEW IN 2015: ANGLE MEMBER EDITOR & ASSOCIATE EDITOR The ALFN ANGLE, the Association s premier publication for the mortgage servicing industry, has two volunteer editorial positions for 2015. A Member Editor, open to any single practitioner from a law firm/trustee member, and an Associate Editor, from an ALFN associate member. Responsibilities include driving member contributions, editorial review of contributions, working with the staff editor to create, develop, and promote themes, content areas, ad sales, servicer participation, and general promotion of the ANGLE. Each editor will have the opportunity to author the Editor s Letter in two of the four planned 2015 issues and receive a complimentary full-page ad for their organization to run in each issue of the ANGLE.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES GUIDELINES FOR ALFN MEMBER GROUPS ALFN administered groups (for the purposes of this document, groups is defined as any ALFN-administered grouping of members) serve many purposes pooling of skills and resources, distribution of work, sharing of information, ideas and expertise, and opportunities for involvement and professional growth. Since clients rely on the ALFN for industry updates and education, the timely preparation and dissemination of information is imperative. Group members have the overall responsibility for supporting the Group s mission and activities in carrying out charges set forth by the Association or as determined by the Group leadership. Completing your application online requires review and acceptance of these guidelines. Failure to meet the below guidelines may result in removal from the group. MINIMUM EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL ALFN GROUP PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE Group members are to participate in all quarterly calls and are prepared for each call and committed to any follow-up work. Those volunteering for Group tasks must make themselves available for any additional calls as scheduled. Conference calls are established on a per group basis at the beginning of each year on a mutually accessible date and time. The ALFN will provide access code information. Please note: a recurring conference call reminder will be emailed to Group members so they may have calendar reminders. If you cannot attend a scheduled call, please notify your chair and group administrator (ALFN Executive staff) at least (one) 1 week prior to the call. During your absence, please forward your calendar invitation to the back-up individual indicated on your online application. Submit agenda items prior to each call via email. Group members should periodically scan national, state, local and their company s personal case or work load for issues of note that will drive dialogue and discussion on Group calls. Issues should be unique and drive a solution-oriented discussion that will inform practitioners in other jurisdictions or who may be facing similar challenges. Additionally, Group members should investigate substantive issues and bring reports and recommendations to the group; review all relevant material that have been distributed before group meetings and be prepared to voice objective opinions on such issues; notify group when attending an external meeting/conference on issues that might be of interest to the group; report on information/dialogue that was exchanged at such programs; support the group mission, goals and charges; and propose new activities that will further the mission and goals of the Association. MINIMUM EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL ALFN GROUP CHAIRS AND CO-CHAIRS Group chairs and co-chairs may self-nominate for up to two consecutive years. A minimum of a Chair and Co-Chair are required for each group and co-chairs may be added as necessary depending on the Group s size and goals. Chairs agree to attend each scheduled call and are tasked with the following: proposing tasks that will create value for Group members, the larger ALFN membership and the broader mortgage servicing community. These may include, but not be limited to: webinars, articles, legal updates, guest speaker teleconferences, and other related work product; proposing agenda items and discussion points for each scheduled quarterly call; driving dialogue and discussion during scheduled quarterly calls; conducting personal outreach (on calls and offline) to encourage and secure volunteers (for both Group projects and to drive agenda items); other tasks as requested by the ALFN. TERM OF SERVICE, RESIGNATION, TERMINATION Group members agree to serve for one year and may re-apply annually. The group seat is held by the company and not the individual. If the participant occupying the seat leaves the company or needs to resign, or is excused from the group, the individual s company will be offered a replacement prior to the ALFN appointing a new seat-holder. Existing group members have the first right of refusal to renew the next year of service. If they elect to resign, a new group member will be selected. Group members may be asked to resign for failure to participate, absence from group calls, failure to assign a representative to attend calls if they are unable to attend; or any other behavior that the Chair(s) deem detrimental to the work and efficacy of the Group, its projects or mission.
2014 ACHIEVEMENTS 2015 OUTLOOK JUNIOR PROFESSIONALS & EXECUTIVES GROUP hosted mixer MBA National Mortgage Servicing Conference Attracted 60+ attendees mentorship program 20+ initial participants Created Workbook for guidance hosted mixer ALFN ANSWERS Attracted 80+ attendees created publication Profiled Picture the Future List guest speaker teleconference Jacob Gaffney, Editor, HousingWire Servicing Management, FDCPA & related bills L. Purdy & C. Holleman Servicing Management, MERS & related issues J. Dooley & Natalie Grigg JUNIOR PROFESSIONALS & EXECUTIVES GROUP 2015 STRATEGY & GOALS overview In 2015, JPEG will move from monthly group calls to planned quarterly calls. Current leadership will remain in place with the addtion of one new chair added for 2015. The new chair will focus on education. Chairs will be assigned to specific areas of the groups projects to better manage. Additional calls, webinars, and other projects will be managed on an ad hoc basis. chairs and assignments MBA and ANSWERS mixers (Kelly Gring) Picture the Future List: July 2015 (Amanda Green) Mentorship Program (Jennifer Dlugolecki) Education Efforts () Networking: First Impressions & Relationship Building Marketing: Yourself & Your Employer Your Practice: Build It, Brand It, and What s Beyond Navigating Change: Personal, Professional, and Things Beyond Your Control ANGLE educational insert: Front Lines (i3: July) notable achievement Picture the Future publication created over 30 new marketing and promotional opportunities for ALFN firms and their young professionals.
2014 ACHIEVEMENTS 2015 OUTLOOK LEGISLATIVE & REGULATORY POLICY GROUP webinars CPFB and Law Firm Actions Advocacy Day and FDCPA Bills Advocacy De-Brief & Issues Updates filed regulatory comments CFPB ANPR on Debt Collection ANGLE, Advocacy Day, M. Kahl Authoring letter in support of H.R. 2892 and S. 2015 STRATEGY & GOALS In 2015, LRPG will move from monthly calls to planned quarterly calls. Additional calls, webinars, and other projects will be managed on an ad hoc basis. 2015 Legislative & Regulatory Outlook Advocacy Day: How to Make it Work for Attendees State Spotlights: Issues that Could Trend Nationally Building Bridges in the Beltway ANGLE Educational Insert: Legislative & Regulatory Policy (i2: April) DEFAULT SERVICES PRACTICE GROUP guest speaker teleconference Kathy Rentas, Fannie Mae upcoming guest speaker teleconference Laurie Magianno, CFPB media opportunities Participated in numerous media opportunities with Servicing Management, MortgageOrb, Managing REO 2015 STRATEGY & GOALS In 2015, DSPG will move from monthly calls to planned quarterly calls. Additional calls, webinars, and other projects will be managed on an ad hoc basis. Audits & Compliance Technology Issues & Solutions Strategies for Minimizing Operational Costs Client Relations, Retention, and Development ANGLE Educational Insert: Foreclosure (i4: October) notable achievement Successfully held Advocacy Day 2014 Significantly enhanced ALFN relations with NARCA and MBA on common public policy, legislative, and regulatory issues.
2014 ACHEIVEMENTS 2015 OUTLOOK ALFN AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF COMMITTEE approved briefs Nativi, Nevada Bartram, Florida HOA, Nevada ANGLE, Bartram Case, R. Edwards BANKRUPTCY PRACTICE GROUP guest speaker telenconference Hon. Michael B. Kaplan webinars Chapter 7 Cramdowns Rule 3002.1 Chapter 11 Cramdowns filed regulatory comments Proposed Amendments to Federal Rules of Bankruptcy 2015 STRATEGIES & GOALS In 2015, the Amicus Brief Committee will continue to meet and approve Amicus Brief requests on an ad hoc basis as member requests are received. 2015 STRATEGIES & GOALS In 2015, BKPG will move from monthly calls to planned quarterly calls. Additional calls, webinars, and other projects will be managed on an ad hoc basis. ANGLE Educational Insert: Bankruptcy (i1: January) notable achievement 2014 was the most active year on record for the ALFN Amicus Brief Group with the filing of four briefs in notable cases with an impact on industry practitioners.