McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC Managing Partner, Randall (Randy) C. McMichael, was recently featured in DS News September 2018 edition on page 48.

CUSTOMIZED SERVICE AND A COMMITMENT TO THE CLIENT

At McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC, people remain the core focus upon which business is built. Here’s why MTG is consistently working to go the extra mile.

McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC (MTG) is a full-service default and creditors’ rights law firm delivering quality, cost-effective legal services for financial institutions throughout most of the Southeast.  The founding partners of MTG established a forward-thinking, client-focused law firm centered on an unwavering commitment to the following core values: excellence, integrity, honesty, and respect.  MTG services Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Randall “Randy” McMichael began his legal career in Atlanta, Georgia in 2003.  McMichael and January Taylor are the two managing partners of MTG.  in 1999, McMichael graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts in History and received his Juris Doctorate from Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law in 2003.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE MCMICHAEL TAYLOR GRAY’S GREATEST STRENGTHS AS A FIRM?

McMichael Taylor Gray’s greatest strengths as a firm are its people and its technology.  We live in an age where technology is a prelude to establishing business relationships.  Technology allows financial service firms to serve clients in ways and at speeds that would have been unimaginable 20 or 30 years ago.  People, however, are the core of every business, and they remain MTG’s greatest strength.  Business relationships are based on people connecting with people, and MTG also prides itself on its leadership and management team.

WHAT CAN CLIENTS EXPECT WHEN WORKING WITH YOU AND MCMICHAEL TAYLOR GRAY?

All clients can expect customized service.  People may think “customized service” sound like a cliché, but we formed MTG because we want to provide a different law firm experience.  All clients are not the same.  When a client selects MTG as its legal advocate, we have two choices – simply oversee the file to its conclusion, or to communicate in a way that truly helps the client get what they need.  The latter choice involves learning about the client and making customized legal and business suggestions, while the former is just about doing the minimum necessary.  We avoid mediocrity in every facet of our firm.

WHAT ARE THE RECENT OR IMPENDING COURT CASES THAT LOOK TO HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE INDUSTRY?

The case that is most talked about right now is Obduskey v. McCarthy & Holthus, LLP.  The issue hinges on wheter the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act applies in non-judicial foreclosure proceedings.  Lower courts are divided on the question.  The U.S. Supreme Court has accepted certification from the 10th Circuit appeal.  All eyes will be on this case for a while.

HOW WOULD YOU ADVISE FINANCIAL SERVICES FIRMS TO BEST WORK WITH THEIR SERVICER CLIENTS?

As a financial services firm, you must understand that your clients often operate from a position of loss in managing their nonperforming portfolios.  With this in mind, my advice is to listen to your client’s needs and customize a strategy unique to that client.  Set standards and expectations with your client and make sure you deliver on those promises.  Finally, and most importantly, hire mature attorneys and support staff who are subject-matter experts and share in your vision, goals, and culture.

WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT REGULATORY CHANGES OF 2018?

One of the most important changes has been implemented by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which is now known as the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, to its mortgage servicing rule.  This rule helps address communications between mortgage servicers and borrowers at risk of foreclosure.  Finding the balance of rules and standards that offer certainty to the financial services industry without unnecessarily disadvantaging consumers should always be of interest to everyone in our industry.

THE MARKET IS FLUCTUATING AND MANY FIRMS ARE CONSOLIDATING OR CUTTING BACK ON AREAS OF PRACTICE, BUT MCMICHAEL TAYLOR GRAY IS EXPANDING.  WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR PARTNERS IN THE INDUSTRY?

Strategic growth is exciting to our team of attorneys and staff.  The opportunity to assist our clients in additional markets is confirmation of their trust in our people and in our systems.  So, what does that mean for our current and future clients?  Shorter timelines, lower costs, a responsive solution-oriented team, with a focus on increased productivity for the firm and client, which includes a goal-focused orientation of results for the client.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU HAVE LEARNED FROM YOUR TIME AT MCMICHAEL TAYLOR GRAY?

Not so much learned, but reinforced – treat people in business how you want to be treated in your business and personal life.