Debra Bogo-Ernst

• Crain’s Chicago Business, “Who’s Who” list (2023)
• Crain’s Chicago Business, “Notable Woman in Law” (2022)
• Lawdragon, 500 Leading Litigators in America (2022)
• Benchmark Litigation, Illinois/Local Litigation Star for Health Care & Securities (2016-2023)
• Euromoney’s Legal Media Group Life Sciences, Life Sciences Star for Non-IP litigation (2016-2022)

• Metropolitan Family Services, Board Member
• American Bar Association, Class Actions & Derivative Suits Committee
• Mortgage Bankers Association, Legal Issues & Regulatory Compliance Committee

• Won class action challenging overdraft and non-sufficient funds checking account fees in industry-leading opinion which also fully excluded plaintiffs’ experts.
• Successfully quelled nationwide Telephone Consumer Protection Act proposed classes, consisting of wrong number class and contacts without consent.
• Defeated class action litigation in an MDL and on appeal to the 9th Circuit, consisting of dozens of cases filed throughout the country, concerning the Home Affordable Modification Program and related claims relating to breach of contract, promissory estoppel, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, unfair and deceptive trade practices statutes, and related claims.
• Won proposed nationwide class action litigation, both on class certification and summary judgment as to the named plaintiffs, related to recurring property inspection fees in district court and on appeal to the 9th Circuit.
• Quelled class action related to overdraft and non-sufficient funds checking account fees by successfully compelling arbitration.
• Successfully defended global pharmaceutical company, both in district court and on appeal to the 6th Circuit, in defeating proposed nationwide class action related to purported violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
• Successfully defended financial institution in ten putative class action cases pending throughout the country on the facilitation of payments to payday lenders using ACH transactions.
• Representing global insurance company in litigation related to surety bond for government contracting.
• Defended Ponzi scheme litigation relating to purported conspiracy to commit fraudulent transfers, aiding and abetting fraudulent transfers, common law fraud, negligence/negligent hiring and supervision, aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duties, fraudulent transfers in alleged violation of state law, and unjust enrichment.
• Representing mortgage servicer in Fair Housing Act litigation related to maintenance, marketing, and sales of real estate-owned properties.
• Represented global life insurance company in proposed nationwide class action relating to text messages sent in purported violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
• Represented global financial institution in several nationwide, class action cases related to the foreclosure and interest rate provisions of the Servicemembers’ Civil Relief Act as well as certain claims under the Military Lending Act.
• Defended purported nationwide class action challenging failure to pay interest on property tax and insurance funds held in mortgage escrow account in alleged violation of law of 14 states.
• Defending challenges to checking account fees across the country in a variety of putative class actions.
• Represented mortgage servicer in proposed nationwide class action litigation related to calculation of interest in adjustable rate mortgages.
• Defended proposed nationwide class action litigation related to reimbursement of court costs to borrowers.
• Defended proposed nationwide class action litigation related to third-party foreclosure-related services.

_{* Debra advised on some of these matters prior to joining Willkie.}