The Wallin Firm has a decade of experience in collecting debts of all types. Michael Wallin represents creditors ranging from large financial institutions (e.g., Bank of America, US Bank) to small family-owned businesses. Whereas most collection firms focus exclusively on the “basic” judgment collection tools (e.g., demand letters, wage garnishments), Mr. Wallin’s practice emphasizes more complex collection methods (e.g., execution sales, charging orders, involuntary bankruptcy). Unlike “collection mills” which attempt to collect a high volume of small debts, The Wallin Firm focuses on large, difficult-to-collect debts. We give substantial individual attention to each debt. We take the time to learn about the debtor. We strategize to prepare a detailed “collection plan” which maps out each step to be taken and the date by which each step will be complete. Then we move quickly and aggressively. When challenges arise, we have the knowledge and experience to creatively respond to such challenges. Other collection firms will simply return debts to their clients uncollected.
Our approach to debt collection is highly successful. Here are examples in just the past few months:
We represented a technology company to collect a $118,000 judgment entered against one of the company’s customers.
The customer was difficult to find and had no known bank accounts or real estate. We learned that the customer provided fire prevention equipment and services to the State of California, so we used Code of Civil Procedure Section 708.730 to levy on all amounts owing by the State to the customer. At the time of levy, the State owed approx. $94,000 to the customer. Rather than paying the $94,000 to the customer, the State turned the funds over to our client. Not only did our client collect the $94,000, but the levy severely disrupted the customer’s business causing the customer to quickly pay the remainder of the judgment.
We represented a financial institution in collecting a multi-million dollar judgment against two individuals.
The debtors were clever enough to hide their assets and close their bank accounts. They claimed to be so destitute that they were living on friends’ couches. We conducted examinations of the debtors’ mother and one of the debtor’s spouses. The examinations revealed that the debtors’ mother was quite wealthy – she owned multi-million dollar properties in Laguna Beach, Miami Beach and Hawaii. We further learned that the properties were held in the mother’s irrevocable trust and that the debtors were the beneficiaries of the trust. We threatened to force a sale of the trust’s assets, which resulted in a favorable settlement.
We represented a small business in collecting an approx. $35,000 judgment against a local business.
The business claimed to have no bank accounts. But our research confirmed that in prior years the debtor had written checks to our client from a Wells Fargo account. We immediately executed a bank levy at Wells Fargo and, sure enough, the debtor possessed an account containing enough money to satisfy the judgment in full. The debtor was shocked and dismayed at how quickly we collected.
We represented an individual who was defrauded out of approx. $300,000 by an ex-friend.
The defendant claimed to have “nothing” and threatened to file bankruptcy if our client eventually obtained a judgment. We filed a lawsuit against the defendant. We then sent a letter to the defendant explaining that, pursuant to Bankruptcy Code Section 523, the defendant would not be able to eliminate the debt in bankruptcy (because debts arising via fraud are non-dischargeable). We further explained that we would follow the defendant into bankruptcy court if he elected to file bankruptcy. We then filed a writ of attachment application and obtained the right to freeze the defendant’s assets. This level of pressure caused the defendant to come to the table to negotiate a favorable repayment of the debt.
We represented a large company in collecting an approx. $1.2 million debt owing by one of the company’s distributors.
The debtor appeared to have assets, but they were difficult to find. We prepared an involuntary bankruptcy petition and explained to the debtor that the petition would be filed if no resolution was quickly reached. We further explained that, in bankruptcy, the debtor would be forced to disclose substantial financial information or face potential criminal charges. This threat caused the debtor to negotiate immediately.
We represented a financial institution in collecting a judgment against a dentist.
The dentist owned his office building, so we initiated an execution sale with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff soon arrived at the dentist’s door to inform him of the pending execution sale, at which point the dentist immediately called to make payment.