Default Legal Services Attorneys Chart the Industry’s Course Forward

With the 11th semi-annual Legal League 100 Servicer Summit underway at the historic Joule Hotel in Dallas, Texas, the professional association marked the occasion by announcing the results of its recent member elections. The League announced that Roy. A. Diaz, Shareholder, SHD Legal Group P.A., has been elected Chair of the LL100.

Diaz previously served on the Legal League 100’s Advisory Council. He will take over from departing Chair Neil Sherman, Managing Partner, Schneiderman & Sherman, who served as Legal League 100 Chair from May 2016. Sherman will continue serving as a member of the Advisory Council.

Diaz told DS News, "My focus for my tenure as Chair of the Legal League 100 will be on maintaining a clear vision of where the industry is, evolving industry requirements, industry opportunity for improvement, and bringing that vision to the membership."

Roy A. Diaz has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1988. He has concentrated his practice in the areas of real estate, litigation, and bankruptcy. He has represented lenders, servicers of both conventional and GSE loans, private investors, and real estate developers throughout his career with an emphasis on the mortgage servicing industry for over 22 years. Diaz is admitted to Federal Court practice in the United States District Court for the Southern, Middle, and Northern Districts of Florida. He is also admitted in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. He is AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest peer rating for Ethical Standards and Legal Ability.

The group also announced several changes to the group’s Advisory Council. The Council gained two new members: Stephen M. Hladik, Principal, Hladik, Onorato & Federman, LLP, and Chad Neel, Chief Executive Business Officer, McCarthy & Holthus LLP. J. Anthony Van Ness, President, Van Ness Law Firm, PLC, was also re-elected to another term on the Advisory Council.

"The health of any organization can be seen in the quality of leadership that volunteers to represent it," said Legal League 100 Executive Director Derek Templeton. "This year's slate of candidates represented the strongest field in the 11-year history of the Legal League. We are appreciative of every leader who took the time to run for a position and optimistic that the members elected will chart a course of continued growth and success for the Organization."  

The Advisory Council membership also includes Caren Castle, Senior Attorney, The Wolf Firm; Michelle Gilbert, Managing Partner, Gilbert Garcia Group; Erin Laurito, Managing Partner, Laurito & Laurito; and Richard M. Nielson, Managing Shareholder - Kentucky, Reimer Law.

The Legal League 100 Advisory Council strategizes growth opportunities, facilitates education, and enhances strategic relationships in the industry on behalf of the Legal League. Advisory Council Members are responsible for aiding the Chair, Vice Chair, Executive Director, and Ex-Officio of the Legal League 100 in developing new strategies for progress in the areas of legislative actions, education, compliance, advocacy, and marketing.

The Legal League 100, created in collaboration with the Five Star Institute, is a membership group for default servicing law firms and select service providers. The Legal League 100 acts as an advocate on behalf of its members to affect change in the industry from Wall Street to Washington, D.C.