Jeff Pilgrim

Partner

Jeff Pilgrim

Jeff has represented the financial services industry in individual and class action cases across the country for nearly 25 years. He’s an elected fellow of the American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers, an Officer of the Governing Committee of the Conference on Consumer Finance Law, the Chair of the ABA’s National Institute on Consumer Financial Services Basics, and a frequent author and speaker on pressing legal issues affecting the financial services industry.

Jeff grew up in a small town in rural Iowa; and although he still considers himself to be an Iowan at heart, he has been proud to call Chicago home for more than half his life. Jeff and his wife live on the City’s north side with their daughter and two dogs, Milo and Bella Sparkle Rainbow. Day-to-day, Jeff tries to keep in mind the simple advice his dad gave him more than 30 years ago: “Balance.”

Presentations

Publications

Associations

Speaker, "Bankruptcy Basics," American Bar Association's National Institute on Consumer Financial Services Basics, Live Webcast | October 20, 2023

Speaker, "FDCPA Basics," ABA National Institute on Consumer Financial Services Basics, Live Webcast | October 21, 2022

Speaker, "Debt Collection and Relevant Bankruptcy Law," ABA National Institute on Consumer Financial Services Basics, Live Webcast | October 28, 2021

Speaker, "Nuts and Bolts of Auto Finance Litigation," Conference on Consumer Finance Law, Ft. Worth, TX | November 7, 2019

Speaker, "FDCPA and Bankruptcy Basics," ABA National Institute on Consumer Financial Services Basics, Nashville, TN | October 4, 2019

Moderator, “Judicial Insights on Bankruptcy and Residential Mortgage Litigation Challenges,” American Conference Institute’s 25th National Forum Residential Mortgage Regulatory Enforcement & Litigation, Dallas, TX | October 22, 2018

Speaker, "Introduction to the FDCPA and Bankruptcy," ABA National Institute on Consumer Financial Services Basics, Chicago, IL | October 12, 2018

Speaker, “Update on Recent Class Action & Private Litigation,” Mortgage Bankers Association (webinar) | October 2, 2018

Speaker, "Collection Letter Litigation," National Creditors Bar Association, Austin, TX | May 20, 2018

Speaker, “The Crossroads of Disruption, Innovation, and Evasion: Where Creativity and Ethics Collide,” Conference on Consumer Finance Law, Ft. Worth, TX | November 3, 2017

Moderator, “Views from the Bench: Judicial Perspectives on Class Action Developments,” American Conference Institute’s 29th National Conference on Consumer Finance Class Actions & Litigation, Chicago, IL | July 25, 2017

Speaker, “The Crossroads of Disruption, Innovation, and Evasion: Where Creativity and Ethics Collide,” Conference on Consumer Finance Law, Chicago, IL | May 16, 2017

Speaker, “Litigation Forum: TILA, RESPA, ECOA, FHA,” Mortgage Bankers Association’s Legal Issues & Regulatory Compliance Conference, Miami, FL | May 7, 2017

Moderator, “Views from the Bench: Judicial Perspectives on Class Action Developments,” American Conference Institute’s 28th National Conference on Consumer Finance Class Actions & Litigation, New York, NY | April 5, 2017

Speaker, "Supreme Court Review," American Conference Institute's 27th National Conference on Consumer Finance Class Actions & Litigation, Miami, FL | January 25, 2017

Speaker, "Supreme Court Update," American Conference Institute's 26th National Conference on Consumer Finance Class Actions & Litigation, Chicago, IL | July 29, 2016

Moderator, "Views from the Bench: Judicial Perspectives on Class Action Developments," American Conference Institute's 25th National Forum on Consumer Finance Class Actions & LItigation, Los Angeles, CA | April 8, 2016

Speaker, "Campbell-Ewald v. Gomez: Does an Offer of Complete Relief Moot a Class Action," American Conference Institute's 23rd National Conference on Consumer Finance Class Actions & Litigation, Miami, FL | January 26, 2016

Moderator, "Consumer Perspectives on Mortgage Litigation Trends," American Conference Institute 19th National Forum on Residential Mortgage Litigation and Regulatory Enforcement, San Francisco, CA | January 14, 2016

Moderator, "State Regulatory Developments in Debt Collection," Conference on Consumer Finance Law, Chicago, IL | November 20, 2015

Moderator, "Consumer Trends in Class Actions," American Conference Institute's 23rd National Conference on Consumer Finance Class Actions & Litigation, Chicago, IL | July 28, 2015

Moderator, "The Borrower’s Perspective in Consumer Finance Litigation," American Conference Institute's 22nd National Conference on Consumer Finance Class Actions & Litigation, Los Angeles, CA | April 15, 2015

Moderator, "The Borrower’s Perspective: Insights From the Plaintiff’s Bar and Consumer Advocates," American Conference Institute's 21st National Conference on Consumer Finance Class Actions & Litigation, New York, NY | January 30, 2015

Speaker, "Consumer Arbitration Agreements and Class Action Waivers: Treatment and Enforceability, CFPB Interest and Potential Crackdown," ACI's 20th National Conference on Consumer Finance Class Actions & Litigation | October 23, 2014

Speaker, "Class Settlement Agreements: Consent Judgments with Covenants not to Enforce," ACI's 18th National Forum on Consumer Finance Class Actions & Litigation, Los Angeles, CA | April 8, 2014

Speaker, "Debt Collection and Credit Reporting Litigation: Effective Defense Strategies for New and Emerging Claims," American Conference Institute's Annual Conference on Consumer Finance Class Actions & Litigation, Chicago, IL | July 30, 2013

Speaker, "Debt Elimination Scams: Do I Really Have to Pay That?" ACA International-MAP Conference, San Diego, CA | July 16, 2013

Speaker, "Consumer Finance Class Action Litigation, Arbitration and Settlement Trends,” American Conference Institute, New York, NY | January 31, 2013

Speaker, "Arbitration of Consumer Finance Disputes in the Wake of Concepcion,” American Conference Institute, Chicago, IL | July 30, 2012

Speaker, "Arbitration in the Wake of Concepcion," ACA International-MAP Conference, Ft. Lauderdale, FL | July 19, 2012

Speaker, "Emerging Litigation Issues in the Student Loans, Credit/Debit Cards & Auto Loans Sectors,” American Conference Institute, New York, NY | January 27, 2012

Speaker, “The CARD Act: Litigation Update,” American Conference Institute, Orlando, FL | October 28, 2011

Speaker, “Reporting Discharged Debts,” ACA International-MAP Conference, Dallas, TX | July 15, 2011

Speaker, “How Creditors Get Into Trouble,” Eighth Annual Housing and Auto Finance Workshop, Hudson Cook LLP, Baltimore, MD | May 3, 2011

Speaker, “Telephone Consumer Protection Act Litigation,” American Conference Institute’s Annual Conference on Consumer Finance Class Actions & Litigation, New York, NY | January 27, 2011

Speaker, “TILA: Outside the Box,” Credit Law Institute and Conference on Consumer Finance Law, Southlake, Texas | October 28, 2010

Speaker, “Cleaning Up Your Credit,” Chicago Public Library “Law at the Library” Series (pro bono) | January 1, 2010

Speaker, “Balance Transfer Offers in the Debt Collection Context,” Credit Law Institute and Conference on Consumer Finance Law, Dallas, Texas | November 3, 2009

Speaker, “Cleaning Up Your Credit,” Chicago Public Library “Law at the Library” Series (pro bono) | January 1, 2009

Speaker, “Telephone Communications: An FDCPA & TCPA Update,” Credit Law Institute and Conference on Consumer Finance Law, Dallas, Texas | October 2, 2008

Speaker, “Balance Transfer Offers for Charged Off Debt,” Credit Law Institute and Conference on Consumer Finance Law, Dallas, Texas | October 1, 2008

Speaker, “Cleaning Up Your Credit,” Chicago Public Library “Law at the Library” Series (pro bono) | January 1, 2008

Speaker, “Firm Offer of Credit Litigation,” Credit Law Institute and Conference on Consumer Finance Law, Dallas, Texas | November 1, 2007

Speaker, “Cleaning Up Your Credit,” Chicago Public Library “Law at the Library” Series (pro bono) | January 1, 2007

Speaker, “State Fair Debt Collection Practices or ‘Mini-FDCPA’ Laws,” Credit Law Institute and Conference on Consumer Finance Law, Dallas, Texas | November 1, 2006

Speaker, “Illinois Credit Counseling and Mortgage Rescue Fraud,” Credit Law Institute and Conference on Consumer Finance Law, Dallas, Texas | November 1, 2006

Speaker, “State Mini-FDCPA Laws: Enhanced Exposure for Creditors and Debt Collectors,” American Bar Association, Tampa, Florida | April 4, 2006

Speaker, “FCRA Firm Offer of Credit Litigation,” Chicago Bar Association, Consumer Credit Committee | March 1, 2006

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"Class Action Developments," 75 Bus. Lawyer 1975 (2020)

"Post-Spokeo: The Impact of Article III Standing on Consumer Finance Litigation," 73 Bus. Lawyer 565 (2018)

"'So You're Telling Me There's a Chance': The Post-Campbell-Ewald Possibility of Mooting a Class Action by Tender of Complete Relief," 71 Consumer Fin. L. Q. Rep. 237 (2018)

"The High Court Speaks on Standing, Mootness, Arbitration, and Representative Evidence," 72 Bus. Lawyer 567 (2017)

"Class Action Developments," 70 Bus. Lawyer 669 (2015)

"The TCPA Year in Review," 66 Consumer Fin. L. Q. Rep. 4 (2012)

“Can Reckless Mortgage Underwriting Practices Constitute a Defect in Title,” 16 Bus. Torts J. 14 (Spring 2009)

“Suing Defendants Who Later Declare Bankruptcy: Vacating a Dismissal for Want of Prosecution,” 94 Ill. B.J. 433 (2006)

“Lender Defeats National Class Action Claim Challenging Collection of Interest on Day Payoff Funds Are Received,” Consumer Financial Services Law Report (Guest Commentary, June 2006)

“Collateral Protection Insurance: Current Issues and Defenses,” Consumer Finance Law Quarterly Report (2000)

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American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers

Conference on Consumer Finance Law (Officer, Governing Committee 2021-present)

American Bar Association, Consumer Financial Services Committee (Chair, National Institute, 2019-present)

Chicago Bar Association (Chair, Consumer Credit Committee 2006-2008)

Mortgage Bankers Association (Member, Litigation Task Force; Member, Legal Issues and Regulatory Compliance Committee)

ACA International, Members Attorney Program

Receivables Management Association (RMAI)

Illinois State Bar Association

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Contact Jeff

(312) 939-0923 DIRECT

(312) 939-0983 FAX

Email  |  Download Vcard


Did You Know

In his younger days, Jeff used to perform “the worm” at parties until an unfortunate accident involving a tux stud ended his career.

A lifelong Cubs fan, Jeff was at Game 7 of the World Series, which, along with meeting his wife and daughter, was 1 of the 3 best days of his life (in no order).

He loves movies, particularly ones by Wes Anderson and Quentin Tarantino.

According to his daughter, Jeff can be “embarrassing [cue eye-roll and exasperated gasp].”

His hometown of Forest City, Iowa (pop. 4,100) is the home of the Winnebago motorhome.

Education

Chicago-Kent College of LawJ.D., magna cum laude (1999)

University of IowaB.B.A (1993)

Admissions

State of Illinois

State of Iowa

State of Minnesota

U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit

U.S. District Court, N.D. Illinois

U.S. District Court, C.D. Illinois

U.S. District Court, S.D. Illinois

U.S. District Court, N.D. Indiana

U.S. District Court, S.D. Indiana

U.S. District Court, N.D. Iowa

U.S. District Court, S.D. Iowa

U.S. District Court, D. Minnesota

U.S. District Court, E.D. Wisconsin

U.S. District Court, W.D. Wisconsin

U.S. District Court, E.D. Michigan

U.S. District Court, W.D. Michigan

U.S. District Court, E.D. Missouri

U.S. District Court, W.D. Oklahoma

U.S. District Court, S.D. Texas