Creditors' Corner LEGAL TALK

Smith Debnam Narron Drake Saintsing & Myers, LLP

Smith Debnam's Creditors' Corner Legal Talk Podcast Series explores regulatory and litigation trends impacting the consumer financial services industry. Become well-versed in state laws, federal laws, news from the supreme court, and the latest updates and trends in consumer financial services litigation. This podcast is a must-listen for those working in financial institutions, consumer finance, consumer credit, mortgage servicers, auto finance companies, litigators, and more. Listen to great topics on consumer protection laws, regulatory compliance, and consumer lending, as well as legal updates in Trusts & Estates, Real Estate Law, and Equipment Leasing and Finance. Hosted by Smith Debnam's experienced legal team - this podcast provides practical analysis and helpful insights from leading attorneys in their respective fields of law.

  1. May 12

    Navigating Sovereign Citizen Claims: Legal Theories, Risks, and Defense Strategies

    In this episode of Creditor’s Corner: Legal Talk, Smith Debnam attorneys Caren Enloe and David Belisle examine the growing challenges posed by the sovereign citizen movement and the impact these tactics are having on creditors, lenders, businesses, and the court system. Drawing from decades of litigation and compliance experience, Caren and David unpack the origins of sovereign citizen theories, the misuse of legal filings and Uniform Commercial Code (“UCC”) documents, and the rise of what many courts and practitioners describe as “paper terrorism.” Listeners will gain insight into how sovereign citizen arguments attempt to exploit misunderstandings surrounding debt enforcement, fictitious Treasury accounts, bills of exchange, and arbitration schemes. The discussion also explores why these filings can create operational and legal headaches for businesses despite lacking legitimate legal authority. Caren shares practical strategies for identifying sovereign citizen tactics early, minimizing disruption, and responding effectively when these claims surface in litigation or collection matters. The episode also highlights Caren Enloe’s recent publication, “Sovereign Citizens and the Raging War of Paper Terrorism,” published in the Consumer Finance Law Quarterly Report, and discusses how creditors and legal professionals can better prepare for increasingly sophisticated attempts to misuse the legal system. Caren Enloe is a Partner at Smith Debnam with more than thirty years of litigation and compliance experience representing consumer financial service providers, creditors, and lenders in state and federal courts nationwide. Her practice includes consumer finance litigation, bankruptcy matters, compliance counseling, and regulatory defense. David Belisle is an Associate Attorney whose practice focuses on creditors’ rights litigation, collateral recovery, foreclosure, and commercial debt enforcement. Before practicing law, David worked as an engineer, bringing a methodical and strategic approach to complex litigation matters.

    20 min

  2. Apr 8

    Unpacking the Real-World Challenges of Litigating Against Pro Se Litigants

    In this episode of Creditors Corner Legal Talk, Smith Debnam attorneys Rachel Rogers and Emily Murphy join moderator Melissa Tulis Smith to unpack the real-world challenges of litigating against pro se (self-represented) parties. Drawing on their experiences in creditors’ rights and family law, they explore common misconceptions about pro se opponents, how judges actually treat self-represented litigants, and why these cases are often more complex—not less—than those with counsel on both sides. The conversation covers practical strategies for maintaining ethical boundaries, communicating clearly without giving legal advice, and adapting advocacy in the courtroom when the playing field is uneven. Rachel and Emily also discuss the growing impact of generative AI on pro se litigation, from improved access to justice to new procedural headaches. Whether you’re a new litigator or a seasoned practitioner, this episode offers candid “war stories” and concrete tips to help you navigate cases involving pro se parties with professionalism, empathy, and strategic clarity.

    30 min

  3. 06/18/2025

    Creditors' Corner: Navigating Consumer Collection Law

    Join attorneys Melissa Tula Smith and Rachel Rogers as they dive deep into the complex world of consumer collection law. This informative podcast breaks down key federal regulations like the FDCPA, TCPA, and FCRA, exploring the legal framework that protects consumers while allowing creditors to collect legitimate debts. Learn about communication restrictions, legal pitfalls, best practices, and state-specific nuances that every debt collector and legal professional should know. Whether you're a lawyer, business owner, or simply interested in understanding debt collection regulations, this podcast offers crucial insights into maintaining ethical and compliant collection practices.

    29 min

  4. 12/02/2024

    The Importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Banking and Financial Sectors

    Melissa Tulis Smith and Rachel Rogers discuss the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the banking and financial sectors. They explain that DEI involves creating a workplace where diverse individuals are represented, treated fairly, and valued. DEI is crucial for banks because it helps them better understand and serve their diverse customer base, fosters innovation, and enhances decision-making. Effective DEI practices can improve regulatory compliance, attract top talent, and reduce turnover costs. They emphasize the need for inclusive hiring, training, and promotion processes, and highlight that DEI initiatives can enhance customer service, client relationships, and overall business success.

    18 min

  5. 01/23/2024

    Navigating E-Filing in North Carolina

    If you practice in North Carolina or are involved in our court systems, you probably know that five counties have made the transition to e-filing. Those counties include Harnett, Johnston, Lee Mecklenburg, and Wake counties. In today's episode, we discuss what you need to know as we transition to E-Filing across the state. Rachel Rogers is an associate attorney within the Consumer Collections group at Smith Debnam. Her practice experience includes Construction Law, Creditors’ Rights & Collections, Corporate & Business Law, and Business Litigation. Melissa Tulis is an associate in the firm’s Creditors’ Rights and Collections practice group, representing a broad range of businesses in North and South Carolina through all stages of the collection litigation process, including pre-suit collection efforts, lawsuits, judgments, and executions.

    23 min

  6. 01/13/2023

    Family Law - When to Lawyer Up and Why Choosing a Multidisciplinary Firm is a Smart Move.

    Today's topic is Family law, when to lawyer up, and why. We talk about why an attorney can be beneficial in a number of different family law situations, when you should consider getting an attorney involved, and why hiring a family law attorney from a firm with a multidisciplinary practice is a smart move. Landon Van Winkle is an associate within the firm's Construction Litigation practice group where he assists clients with pre-suit negotiations and litigation in matters involving construction, equipment leasing and financing, and bankruptcy. His areas of practice are Bankruptcy, Business Litigation, Appellate Law, Construction Law, and Equipment Leasing & Finance. Michael Denning is an accomplished jurist and former District Court Judge for Judicial District 10 in Wake County, North Carolina. In his capacity as Of Counsel in Smith Debnam's Mediation and Arbitration Practice Group, he focuses his mediation practice in the areas of Business Litigation, Corporate and Business Law, and Family Law. Michael is a certified family financial mediator through the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission and a North Carolina State Bar and Wake County Bar member. He is admitted to practice in all North Carolina State Courts and U.S. District Court in all North Carolina Districts.

    22 min

  7. 10/18/2022

    Dealing with DMCs and the Unauthorized Practice of Law

    Attorneys Christina McAlpin Taylor, Melissa Tulis, and Rachel Rogers discuss dealing with debt management companies - the risks and challenges they pose from the point of view of a collections attorney. Christina McAlpin Taylor is a partner at the Raleigh-based law firm of Smith Debnam and a member of the firm’s Creditors’ Rights and Collections practice group. An accomplished attorney known for handling a large volume of cases with precision and grace, she represents a wide range of businesses through all stages of creditor representation, including pre-suit collection efforts, lawsuits, judgments, and executions. In her practice group, she actively leads approximately 75 employees, including two attorney associates, in addition to managing the leadership development of five direct reports. In 2016, she was named to the 25 Most Influential Women in Collections by Collection Advisor Magazine. Christina was named to the 2020 class of East Carolina University’s 40 Under Forty Leadership Awards. In 2021, she was appointed to serve a four-year term on the East Carolina University (ECU) Women’s Roundtable Board of Directors. Rachel Rogers is an associate attorney within the Consumer Collections group at Smith Debnam. Her practice experience includes Construction Law, Creditors’ Rights & Collections, Corporate & Business Law, and Business Litigation. Melissa Tulis is an associate in the firm’s Creditors’ Rights and Collections practice group, representing a broad range of businesses in North and South Carolina through all stages of the collection litigation process, including pre-suit collection efforts, lawsuits, judgments, and executions.

    25 min

  8. 05/09/2022

    Post Judgment Collections in North Carolina

    In this episode, Smith Debnam attorneys Christina McAlpin Taylor and Melissa Tulis discuss how Post Judgment Collections work in North Carolina. Christina McAlpin Taylor is a partner at the Raleigh-based law firm of Smith Debnam and a member of the firm’s Creditors’ Rights and Collections practice group. An accomplished attorney known for handling a large volume of cases with precision and grace, she represents a wide range of businesses through all stages of creditor representation, including pre-suit collection efforts, lawsuits, judgments, and executions. In her practice group, she actively leads approximately 75 employees, including two attorney associates, in addition to managing the leadership development of five direct reports. In 2016, she was named to the 25 Most Influential Women in Collections by Collection Advisor Magazine. Christina was named to the 2020 class of East Carolina University’s 40 Under Forty Leadership Awards. In 2021, she was appointed to serve a four-year term on the East Carolina University (ECU) Women’s Roundtable Board of Directors. Melissa Tulis is an associate in the firm’s Creditors’ Rights and Collections practice group, representing a broad range of businesses in North and South Carolina through all stages of the collection litigation process, including pre-suit collection efforts, lawsuits, judgments, and executions.

    15 min
See All (28)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Smith Debnam's Creditors' Corner Legal Talk Podcast Series explores regulatory and litigation trends impacting the consumer financial services industry. Become well-versed in state laws, federal laws, news from the supreme court, and the latest updates and trends in consumer financial services litigation. This podcast is a must-listen for those working in financial institutions, consumer finance, consumer credit, mortgage servicers, auto finance companies, litigators, and more. Listen to great topics on consumer protection laws, regulatory compliance, and consumer lending, as well as legal updates in Trusts & Estates, Real Estate Law, and Equipment Leasing and Finance. Hosted by Smith Debnam's experienced legal team - this podcast provides practical analysis and helpful insights from leading attorneys in their respective fields of law.

Information

  • Creator
    Smith Debnam Narron Drake Saintsing & Myers, LLP
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Creditors' Corner LEGAL TALK
  • Show Website
    Creditors' Corner LEGAL TALK

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