Aaron J. Keller
Man Sued by LVNV Funding Awarded $19K in Legal Fees
A recent case out of Oregon highlights the shoddy and unethical business practices of debt collector LVNV Funding. It also shows the...
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614.260.7700
FIGHT BACK
AGAINST DEBT COLLECTION
Call for a free consultation
614.260.7700
Fight debt collection.
Prevent wage garnishment.
Avoid bankruptcy.
Debt Collection Lawsuits
Debt collection companies sue thousands of borrowers every day across the country, and their business model is premised on two things: 1) borrowers assume they can't afford a lawyer to defend them in a lawsuit, and 2) borrowers assume that they have no defenses to a debt collection lawsuit even if they could afford an attorney.
Both of those assumptions are wrong.
Hiring an attorney is not only affordable but can save borrowers money, and borrowers do in fact have many defenses to debt collection lawsuits.
Successfully Defending Against Debt Collection Lawsuits
There are numerous defenses available to borrowers in debt collection lawsuits, and debt collectors often don't have sufficient evidence, time, or interest in individual cases to successfully prosecute them.
Defenses to Debt Collection Lawsuits
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Statute of limitations: the debt might be too old to be collectible.
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Identify theft or incorrect identity: the account might have been opened by fraud, or the debt collector might be suing the incorrect person (e.g., similar name, previously lived at the address, data entry error at the creditor or debt collection company, authorized user not liable for the account, etc.) for the debt.
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Lack of capacity: the borrower might have been a minor, had a mental disability, or under the influence when the credit account was opened.
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Incorrect amount: creditors might have made a billing error prior to selling the account to a debt collector, or a debt collector might be trying to collect prejudgment interest, attorney fees, or other charges to which it is not entitled.
Insufficient Evidence from the Debt Collector
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Inadmissible business records: the debt collector might be relying on a few monthly statements from a prior creditor to bring its case. These statements might not be admissible in a debt collection lawsuit.
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Defective affidavits: the debt collector might have a very official looking affidavit from a person who claims to validate the debt, but often these affidavits are inadmissible or inconsequential, as they come from a person who cannot actually validate a debt.
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Time and interest of the debt collector: debt collectors sue thousands of borrowers every day across the country, so they often do not have the time or interest to actually develop and prosecute individual cases in which borrowers force them to go through the litigation process.
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Data breaches: some major debt collectors have had their records stolen by external actors who might charge a ransom to return the information. Any time a business record has changed custody or been accessed by another party, it can be challenged as both inaccurate and inadmissible in a lawsuit.
This Law Office is Different
Attorney Aaron J. Keller is committed to providing full-service, best-in-class representation to borrowers in order to level the playing field against corporate debt collection agencies.
Client-Focused Advocacy
The legal profession has some consistent complaints: lawyers are too expensive, clients don't feel informed as to what's happening on their case, and clients often don't know if they got a good outcome. This unfortunately makes many people wonder if hiring an attorney was even worth it.
Attorney Aaron J. Keller is dedicated to addressing all of those issues.
Commitments to Every Client
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Fixed, fair fees. The entire cost - to the penny - is clearly established in a written agreement between both the lawyer and the borrower before representation begins. There are no billable hours, no monthly invoices, and no surprise additional costs. The fee for representation is only earned upon a positive outcome - dismissal or adjudication on the merits - in the borrower's favor. Because the cost of representation is a fraction of the amount for which the borrower is being sued, Attorney Aaron J. Keller tries to minimize both the cost and the risk to the borrower to hire a lawyer and defend against a collection lawsuit.
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Clear, consistent communication. All clients receive an update at least weekly on their cases, all inquiries are responded to within 24 hours, and all questions are answered with respect.
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Honest, competent, and diligent advocacy. Consumer advocacy is a passion at the Aaron J. Keller Law Office; the mental toll that debt collection can have on people is very real. All clients can expect full commitment to each case and its outcome.
Attorney Aaron J. Keller
Attorney Aaron J. Keller is committed to consumer advocacy and to achieving results for his clients. Aaron has an educational and professional background in law and business, and he has provided volunteer legal services throughout his career.
Aaron first gained experience in consumer law while taking a consumer protection clinic as a law student, and he has represented consumers in debt collection defense cases in Minnesota and Ohio since his admission to practice law in 2016.
Aaron's Background
Education:
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University of Kansas, B.A.
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Honors with Highest Distinction, Phi Beta Kappa
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University of Kansas, M.A.
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University of Minnesota, M.B.A.
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University of Minnesota, J.D.
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Cum Laude
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Bar Admissions:
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Ohio
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Southern District of Ohio
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Minnesota (inactive)
Pro Bono Work:
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Legal Aid Society of Columbus
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Minnesota Volunteer Lawyers Network
Languages:
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English
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German
Outside of practicing law, Aaron enjoys playing volleyball and spending time with his corgi, Morty.
News & Notes
Curated content on the debt collection industry and potential impacts on debt collection litigation.
How to Get in Touch
Please don't hesitate to reach out via phone or email. All initial consultations are free with no obligation. I respond to all inquiries within 24 hours. Office meetings are by appointment only; please call or email to set up an in-person or video meeting.
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