Description:
Job Summary:The Client Management Attorney (CMA) serves as the primary legal and operational liaison between PLA and assigned clients. This role ensures that all collection activities comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws while adhering to client-specific contractual requirements and instructions.
The CMA is responsible for overseeing the timely and compliant handling of assigned claims, monitoring client data and applicable legislation, and proactively identifying risks or obstacles that may affect collection outcomes. The position requires strong legal judgment, client relationship management, and collaboration with internal leadership.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Review files to ensure that statutory service of all documents and pleadings has been met.
- Review and sign pleadings. Resolve any issues where pleadings are not ready to be filed.
- Communicate with clients, counsel and property owners by phone and/or email as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Ensure receipt of and recordkeeping for all relevant contracts, ordinances and/or resolutions for assigned clients and monitor them to verify that they are current and complete. Receive new claims from existing clients and collaborate with Managing Attorney for Collection Services to ensure that they conform to contract requirements and to underlying enabling legislation.
- Serve as primary point of contact for assigned clients for all questions, concerns and billing. Communicate with senior management regarding any special instructions issued by the client or any concerns raised by the client. Meet in person or remotely with clients as needed.
- Handle pre-litigation attorney contacts and escalated debtor contacts regarding accounts for assigned clients. Coordinate with senior management responses to inquiries from governmental agencies (for example, Attorney General, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Better Business Bureau). Coordinate with senior management responses to any litigation. Forward bankruptcy matters to PLA bankruptcy attorney.
- Ensure that all claims for assigned clients are timely handled.
- Monitor routine reports showing collection rates for assigned clients and identify for senior management any obstacles and assist in resolving them.
- Review and analyze files to evaluate suitability for listing of properties for sheriff sale. Communicate recommendation to client.
- Determine when unpaid files should be closed due to legal or other considerations and communicate with clients.
- Together with other client management attorneys, provide consistent onsite presence as needed during the PLA workweek.
- Supervise paralegal work by answering questions and reviewing and signing pleadings as needed. Provide feedback to paralegal supervisor on the accuracy of paralegal work. Pleadings will include pleadings for any PLA client.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) and active Pennsylvania law license.
- One (1) to three (3) years of experience in litigation, collections, bankruptcy, or a related legal practice area.
- Working knowledge of applicable federal and state laws, as well as relevant county court procedures.
- Strong legal analysis, writing, research, and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities with strong organization and attention to detail.
- Sound judgment and ability to handle sensitive client and regulatory matters professionally.
- Leadership capability, including experience supervising or guiding support staff.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Word), collections or case management systems, and internet research tools
- Business-minded approach with the ability to identify risks and recommend solutions.
- Dependable, collaborative, and committed to maintaining high professional standards.
- Ability to travel within Pennsylvania for client meetings as needed.
