The “Getting to Know” series is sponsored by Arbeit. Arbeit is a powerful, and easy to use communications platform that empowers businesses to reach more consumers. Innovative by nature, we are constantly listening to and understanding the businesses we partner with and developing long term industry relationships that allow us to be proactive in anticipating industry needs.
Patrick Newman fell in love with the collection industry before he went to law school and became an attorney specializing in consumer law and compliance. Able to apply some sage advice to everything he does has helped him get to where he is today. Read on to learn more about Patrick and his goal to help his clients find the “Goldilocks zone.”
Name: Patrick Newman
Company: Bassford Remele, PA
Job Title: Attorney/Shareholder
Length of time at current position: Three years
Length of time in industry: Fifteen years
How did you get your start in the industry?
As a broke college student, I responded to a “Help Wanted” ad for a skiptracer with a collection agency and debt buyer in the Upper Midwest. I had zero understanding of what skiptracing was, but it turned out I had a knack for it!
From there I went on to work as a front-line collector and then in compliance and legal with another agency specializing in medical debt. I made some connections in the legal collection space during that time and later took a job supporting a consumer collection practice, which is where the law school “bug” bit me.
In law school I worked for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee — basically the most potent debt collector there is. Before I embarked on my current path as a consumer law defense and compliance attorney, I did a stint as outside collection counsel for a number of debt buyers and credit card companies.
What is your career highlight so far?
Continuing to work with all of the folks I’ve worked with over the years in my various roles in the industry.
When or how are you most productive?
Early. In law school, I was far more likely to get up at 4:00 a.m. to read cases and prepare than to stay up past 10:00 p.m. to do the work. The same is true now for me in practice.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
If I were going to make a transparent effort to curry favor with a colleague, I would say Michael Klutho. But I wouldn’t do that, so he’s out.
I have been consistently impressed with a number of people, too many to list. Stefanie Jackman is a good example, though.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
As the late great Walter Payton wisely observed, “When you’re good at something, you’ll tell everyone. When you’re great at something, they’ll tell you.”
What do you like most about this industry?
It’s the backbone of the American economy. To mix metaphors, our industry keeps the engine of the credit-based system firing.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
Enactment of practical legislation and regulation as it relates to the use of technology. The “alphabet soup” statutes are all old and outmoded. It’s time to bring them into the 21st century!
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
Golf journalist would have been a great gig. The PGA Tour is a travelling circus of sorts, with lots of great stories going on inside and outside the ropes at all times.
Describe a typical work day.
I read and write and communicate for a living. On a typical day you will find me making lots of phone calls, sending emails, submitting motion papers to the courts, and attending hearings or depositions. I spend the down time between those activities devising next moves in litigation and managing our firm.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Golf and heavy metal. Rarely at the at the same time, though.
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What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
“Play chess, not checkers.” The point is to always have an endgame in mind; don’t mindlessly take steps without a purpose. This applies equally to developing litigation strategy and to making business decisions.
What are you currently reading?
I just finished “American Assassin” by Vince Flynn. Lots of action and punchy dialogue. It was a fun read.
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
I firmly believe there is a “Goldilocks zone” between compliance and revenue generation strategies. If done correctly, agencies can find the balance that is “just right.” The objectives don’t necessarily have to be antagonistic to each other.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Jenna Guyton of Americollect.
The “Getting to Know” series is sponsored by Arbeit. Arbeit is a powerful, and easy to use communications platform that empowers businesses to reach more consumers. Innovative by nature, we are constantly listening to and understanding the businesses we partner with and developing long term industry relationships that allow us to be proactive in anticipating industry needs.
