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Linda S. Finley

Attorney

A former leader of the Consumer Finance Litigation and Compliance Group, Linda Finley has tried more than 300 jury trials to verdict.

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How to Lose Collateral (Without Even Trying) November 9, 2021

Featured Experience


Represented a client in a large scale mortgage fraud matter involving more than 250 loans, and in that same matter, worked with federal prosecutors to assist in the investigation and federal prosecution of the perpetrators.

Defended numerous mortgage clients against allegations involving regulatory issues such as RESPA, TILA, FDCPA, TCPA, HMDA and CFPB non-compliance.

Defended a lender in a class action suit alleging improper application of mortgage fees in bankruptcy claims.

Professional Biography


Linda Finley represents and defends mortgage lending and servicing clients in litigation concerning residential mortgage transactions, including lending liability, state and federal regulatory compliance and real estate title issues. Partnering with Baker Donelson's industry-leading Knowledge Management Team, Ms. Finley led the Firm's creation of a tailored, web-based tool that allows for the strategic management and reporting of significant portfolios of borrower litigation. She is the former chair of the Firm's Consumer Financial Litigation and Compliance Group and a former member of the Firm's board of directors.

Ms. Finley has experience in:

  • Consumer-related litigation matters and class-action defense as well as extensive first-chair trial work
  • Issues arising from default services including foreclosure, bankruptcy, defense of wrongful foreclosure and defense of predatory lending allegations
  • Creating internal QC/QA training and review for mortgage servicers
  • Mortgage fraud civil prosecution and defense
  • Real estate title clearance and litigation involving title clearance

Ms. Finley also serves as a court appointed Special Master for purposes of adjudicating litigated real estate title issues. She is a frequent speaker regarding mortgage lending and servicing issues, and is called upon by clients as well as by law enforcement and prosecution offices to provide training on various topics including mortgage fraud investigation and prevention, quality control and loss mitigation. Before entering private practice, Ms. Finley served as an assistant district attorney for Atlanta, Georgia, and was tasked with the prosecution of major felonies.

  • Represented a client in a large scale mortgage fraud matter involving more than 250 loans, and in that same matter, worked with federal prosecutors to assist in the investigation and federal prosecution of the perpetrators.

  • Defended numerous mortgage clients against allegations involving regulatory issues such as RESPA, TILA, FDCPA, TCPA, HMDA and CFPB non-compliance.

  • Defended a lender in a class action suit alleging improper application of mortgage fees in bankruptcy claims.

  • Certified Mediator, State of Georgia
  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® in Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law, 2015 – 2023; Financial Services Regulation Law and Commercial Litigation, 2023
  • Selected to Georgia Super Lawyers 2009 – 2021, 2023, listed as one of the top 50 female attorneys in Georgia, 2011 – 2014
  • Named to Georgia Trend Legal Elite in the area of Bankruptcy/Creditors' Rights, 2009 – 2011
  • Member – American and Atlanta Bar Associations
  • Board Member – Georgia Real Estate Fraud Prevention and Awareness Coalition, 2006 – 2008
  • Fellow – American College of Mortgage Attorneys
  • AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Former Assistant District Attorney – Major felony prosecution, Atlanta, Georgia
  • "Complex Litigation…Or Is It?," American Financial and Legal Network's Intersect: Servicing + Foreclosure Conference, Dallas, Texas (November 2019)
  • "Litigation Tips, Tricks and Skills," American Financial and Legal Network's Intersect: Servicing + Foreclosure Conference, Dallas Texas (November 2018)
  • Moderator – "Coast to Coast: A Litigation Update," ALFN ANSWERS Conference (July 2015)
  • Moderator – "From Coast to Coast: Hot Topics in Litigation," ALFN Annual Leadership Conference, Colorado Springs, Colorado (July 2013)
  • Moderator – "Kicking the Boot Camps - Gaining an Edge in Default Servicing Defensive Litigation," MBA National Mortgage Servicing Conference (February 2012)
  • Panelist – "The Shoe Is On The Other Foot - Fraud Investigations Against Lenders For Document Fraud," Mortgage Bankers Association National Fraud Issues Conference (March 2011)

Education

  • Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law, J.D., 1981
  • Mercer University, B.A., 1978

Admissions

  • Georgia, 1982
  • Florida, 1986
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Georgia
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern and Middle Districts of Florida
  • U.S. Supreme Court

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