Teske Katz Kitzer & Rochel Appointed as Co-Lead Counsel Representing Class of Auto Loan Borrowers

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On August 26, 2015, the Hon. Gary Oxenhandler, state court judge  in Columbia, Missouri, granted a motion to certify a class of Missouri borrowers with consumer claims against Cavalry Investments, LLC, and appointed Teske Katz Kitzer & Rochel as Class Counsel.  Partners Vildan Teske and Marisa Katz are litigating this class action lawsuit along with the Missouri law firm of Angle Wilson Law LLC.

The class action lawsuit involves the sale of service contracts by certain auto dealers to consumers that require the consumers to use fluid additives before the protections of the contracts kick in.  The plaintiff class alleges that these contracts are insurance products that are being sold illegally, and that, as a result, the debt buyers that purchased these faulty loans are collecting on the loans illegally and taking advantage of consumers in violation of the law. 

Teske Katz Kitzer & Rochel Open House

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On August 5, 2015, the law firm of Teske, Micko, Katz, Kitzer & Rochel invited its colleagues, family, and friends to join them at an open house. “We’ve had some great changes in the last year—a new name, new partners, and new space—and we really wanted to celebrate these developments together with people we respect and admire,” said Vildan Teske.   

Partygoers enjoyed the great views, food, and company at the open house, pictures of which are available at Teske Katz Kitzer & Rochel’s Facebook page, found here. 

Teske Katz Kitzer & Rochel Attorneys All Named to 2015 Super Lawyers/Rising Stars Lists

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Teske Katz Kitzer & Rochel is proud to announce that all of its attorneys have been named to the Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list. Vildan Teske and Doug Micko were named Super Lawyers honorees for 2015, while Marisa Katz, Phillip Kitzer and Brian Rochel were all named Rising Stars honorees.  

Each year, only a select few attorneys are honored as Super Lawyers or Rising Stars. Only 5% of the attorneys in Minnesota are recognized as Super Lawyers, and only 2.5% of attorneys are named as Rising Stars. The award is based on a combination of peer nominations and objective criteria. 

For individual profiles and to see Teske Katz Kitzer & Rochel’s firm profile, visit the Super Lawyers website.

To view the full digital Super Lawyers magazine with the complete list, click here.

Teske Katz Kitzer & Rochel Lawyers Attend MDL Panel in Minneapolis

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Vildan Teske, Phillip Kitzer and Brian Rochel attended the Judicial Panel on Multi-district Litigation (“MDL”) held at the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota in Minneapolis on May 28, 2015.

Multi-district litigation (“MDL”) refers to a special federal legal procedure designed to speed the process of handling very complex civil cases. A portion of Teske Katz Kitzer & Rochel’s class action practice includes MDL. For instance, Teske Katz Kitzer & Rochel currently represents a client in In Re: Boston Scientific Corp. Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation, MDL 2326, pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia. This case is one of several pelvic mesh lawsuits filed on behalf of women nationwide against manufacturers of transvaginal mesh (TVM) and sling devices. 

Micko Presents at Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute

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Each year Minnesota CLE hosts the Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute (ELI), one of the most respected and well-known employment law seminars in the country. The event is held over two days in St. Paul, Minnesota. This year, Doug Micko presented on the “Basics of Minnesota’s Unemployment Insurance Law and Practice.” Micko’s presentation was attended by human resources professionals and colleagues who represent both employees and employers.

Vildan Teske Co-Moderates FBA Panel on Diversity in Legal Practice

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Vildan Teske co-moderated a continuing legal education (CLE) seminar today sponsored by the Minnesota Chapter of the Federal Bar Association entitled “Cultivating a Diverse Pipeline of New Attorneys in Uncertain Legal Times.”  The seminar was followed by a reception at the Radisson Blu in downtown Minneapolis.  The CLE kicked off with remarks by U.S. Magistrate Judge Tony N. Leung. The panel of speakers included Valerie Jensen, Executive Director of Twin Cities Diversity in Practice; Anthony Winer, Professor of Law at William Mitchell College of Law; Tracy M. Smith, Deputy General Counsel for the University of Minnesota, and; Dr. Luiza Dreasher, Assistant Dean and Director of the Office of Multicultural and International Inclusion at the William Mitchell College of Law.  The seminar explored the challenges, obstacles, and the successes in achieving a diverse pipeline of attorneys in Minnesota, as well as the effect of recent U.S. Supreme Court opinions on admission decisions in higher education.

Click here for Minnesota Lawyer’s coverage of the event.

Teske Katz Kitzer & Rochel Settlement Proceeds Benefit Non-Profits Helping Servicemembers

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Today, Fisher House Foundation and VeteransPlus each received $41,287.17 as part of a multi-million dollar class action settlement in a case that Teske Katz Kitzer & Rochel lawyers, Vildan Teske and Marisa Katz, and their retired partner Bill Crowder, litigated on behalf of thousands of servicemembers.  Under the settlement, the parties agreed that any unclaimed settlement funds would go to the two nonprofits to assist in their work for servicemembers rather than the funds remaining with the defendant.  Vildan Teske was the court-appointed lead counsel in the class action lawsuit.

Service Members to Receive Over $123 Million for Unlawful Foreclosures Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act

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The Justice Department today announced a major victory for servicemembers under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). The Justice Department reached a settlement with a group of mortgage servicers for improperly foreclosing on servicemembers’ homes. The five mortgage servicers are JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A. (JP Morgan Chase); Wells Fargo Bank N.A. and Wells Fargo & Co. (Wells Fargo); Citi Residential Lending Inc., Citibank, NA and CitiMortgage Inc. (Citi); GMAC Mortgage, LLC, Ally Financial Inc. and Residential Capital LLC (GMAC Mortgage); and BAC Home Loans Servicing LP formerly known as Countrywide Home Loans Servicing LP (Bank of America).

The DOJ press release is available here.

Vildan Teske Presents about SCRA Protections at CLE

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Vildan Teske presented a webinar along with Major Lyndsey Olson, General Counsel for the Minnesota National Guard, for Minnesota CLE. The CLE presentation was part of the Creditor/Debtor CLE Series.  Vildan’s presentation focused on the consumer financial protections contained in the Servicemember Civil Relief Act (SCRA).

Announcing Teske, Katz, Kitzer & Rochel!

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The last few months have brought exciting new changes to our firm.  First, we are pleased to announce the addition of two new partners, Brian T. Rochel and Phillip M. Kitzer.  We are also announcing the retirement of one of the firm’s founders, Bill Crowder. After 43 years of practicing law, Bill has decided to retire.  We will miss working with Bill and wish him well in retirement.

With these changes, our firm has changed its name!  Crowder Teske Katz and Micko is now Teske Katz Kitzer & Rochel.

We have also moved to a new suite on the 40th floor in the Campbell Mithun Tower to accommodate the additional attorneys and staff.  Our new office is located at 222 South 9th Street, Suite 1600, Minneapolis, MN 55402.  

Please visit us on our new website, www.teskekatz.com.  We look forward to connecting with you soon!