Banking & Financial Services Litigation

Banking & Financial Services Litigation

Ruder Ware’s involvement in the financial institutions industry stretches back to our roots, to the firm’s founding in 1920 by George Ruder.

Over the course of our history, we’ve represented national banks, state banks, mortgage bankers and brokers, and credit unions.  Working collaboratively in a business-focused law firm, our litigators have experience managing financial litigation in state and federal courts throughout the Midwest.  Ruder Ware’s attorneys consistently counsel clients on a multitude of complex disputes covering all areas of banking operations, such as lender liability, loan recovery, consumer finance and regulatory litigation.

Services offered by our litigators include:

  • Defend lender liability claims
  • Advocate in state court receivership actions and federal bankruptcy proceedings
  • Pursue fraudulent transfers
  • Litigate preference matters
  • Enforce creditor rights and remedies including but not limited to foreclosures and replevin actions

Should legal disputes extend beyond Wisconsin, Ruder Ware’s affiliation with Meritas®, an international alliance of law firms, means our network of lawyers can provide counsel for clients anywhere in this country or around the world.

Founded in 1920, Ruder Ware provides business, employment, estate planning, and litigation services. A full-service law firm, over 45 attorneys provide clients with a one-stop approach to their legal needs. Ruder Ware, Business Attorneys for Business Success.

Collections in a Post-COVID-19 World

Posted on October 23, 2023 by

As a collection and banking attorney, I am often asked whether (or when) I think collections will restart now that we are somewhat “beyond” COVID-19, although not fully. In my own practice I have seen an increase in demand letters to businesses and consumers for past due accounts or debts. Banks and businesses need to […]

Consumer Collections in Wisconsin

Posted on June 29, 2022 by

Now that the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided to some extent, banks and lenders are beginning to resume collections.  Further, as interest rates and inflation continue to rise, it is likely that the number of past due accounts will also rise.  One of the issues with collections are the slew of regulations that come with collections […]

Financial Institutions Should Be Proactive in Accommodating Borrowers Impacted by COVID-19

Posted on March 27, 2020 by

The extent to which COVID-19 will cause financial distress, or even financial ruin, to businesses throughout the State of Wisconsin is yet to be determined.  We do know, however, that there will be many businesses that struggle to maintain sufficient cash to survive the mandatory shutdowns and the loss of revenue resulting from the pandemic. […]

Remote Online Notarization Now Permitted in Wisconsin

Posted on March 26, 2020 by

These are unprecedented times for all of us.  We continue to receive directives, orders, and suggestions from our local, state and federal governments and their agencies, most of which continue to place additional restrictions on our activities.  In an effort to allow real estate transactions to continue, an effort has been made by the Wisconsin […]

Governor to Issue “Safer at Home” Order

Posted on March 23, 2020 by

This morning Governor Evers released a statement notifying citizens that he will be issuing a “safer at home”. The impact of this order for individuals and businesses will depend on the wording of the order which is expected to be released tomorrow (Tuesday, March 24th). The governor’s initial statement indicates that the order will, similar to […]

Western District of Wisconsin Ranks 2nd in the Nation in Chapter 12 Farm Bankruptcy Filings in 2018

Posted on January 29, 2019 by

The latest federal bankruptcy statistics contain more bad news for Wisconsin’s farmers. Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies continue to rise even though overall bankruptcies continue to fall. Although total bankruptcy filings (including Chapter 7, Chapter 11, Chapter 12 and Chapter 13) in the Western District of Wisconsin fell 2.8% in 2018 and have decreased every year […]

Expanded Examination Cycle

Posted on November 5, 2018 by

The OCC, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the FDIC published an interagency interim final rule effective August 29, 2018.  The interim final rule amends the regulations governing eligibility for an 18-month on-site examination cycle.  Under the interim final rule, qualifying depository institutions with less than $3 billion in total assets […]

Is Your Website Accessible to Individuals with Disabilities?

Posted on July 30, 2018 by

Many are unaware that the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) applies to websites as well as physical facilities. A review of court dockets around the country shows that plaintiffs are filing an increasing number of lawsuits against companies alleging that their websites are not “accessible” to individuals with disabilities as required by the ADA. In […]

Interagency Guidance on Accounting and Reporting Implications of Tax Cuts & Jobs Act

Posted on February 16, 2018 by

On January 18, 2018, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency released guidance on the accounting implications of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act (the “Act”) signed into law on December 22, 2017.  The guidance provides information on the […]

Ruder Ware Attorney Provides Comments on Ag Lending Market

Posted on January 26, 2018 by

Chris Seelen, a member of Ruder Ware’s Banking and Financial Institutions Focus Team, recently provided comments on Wisconsin’s ag lending market for Wisconsin Public Radio.  The WPR story focused on new federal court data that shows the Western District of Wisconsin had the highest number of farm bankruptcies in the country last year.

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