Daniel Rohrs is an unabashed apologist … for the game of baseball. And he’s also a big proponent of change in the collections industry. Rohrs spotlights numerous issues in how the industry is regulated and how that has spawned an industry for attorneys who are making very good livings out of suing collection agencies. Rohrs also has an interesting take on the role of compliance in the overall operation of a collection agency. Read on to learn more about him and his viewpoints on key industry topics.
Name: Dan Rohrs
Company: CBE Companies
Length of time at current company: Almost 4 years.
Length of time in industry: Almost 6 years.
How did you get your start in the industry?
I was hired into a law firm that has an extensive residential mortgage foreclosure practice in multiple states.
What is your career highlight so far?
I am proud of the compliance management system we have developed at CBE. I think it compares favorably to any other in the industry. Also, I was part of a team internally at CBE that supported the defense effort of the landmark case Strauss v. CBE, which held CBE’s proprietary Manual Clicker Application fell outside of the TCPA’s definition of automatic telephone dialing system (ATDS). The Strauss ruling has since been cited in other cases similarly holding point-and-click technology does not constitute an ATDS.
Which industry profession do you admire most?
I have a lot of respect for numerous industry professionals for various reasons. As far as my own professional development goes, I would say Mike Frost and Brian Sayer have had the greatest impact. On the operations side, I appreciate how Alex Reed is able to command the respect of his management team and push them to reach their full potential. I have the utmost respect for defense attorneys, like Dale Golden, Robbie Malone, Charity Olson and Dave Schultz, who are invaluable assets in keeping the wolves at bay.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
At this stage of my career, I’m not sure I can say I do any one thing better than everyone else in the industry. I do believe I have a good generalized approach to problem solving. Instead of serving as an obligatory compliance or legal roadblock, I make an effort to solve problems in a manner that meets the company’s operational needs. A good compliance department cannot be an entity that sits in an ivory tower and tells the business what it can and cannot do.
When or how are you most productive?
Each day brings new challenges. Generally speaking, my days are occupied by a healthy mix of compliance, litigation, transactional, operational and employment matters.
What do you like most about this industry?
The people. I am very fortunate to be surrounded by a team of consummate professionals every day.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
The regulatory landscape. Our industry is subject to a plethora of vague and outdated statutes that desperately need to be brought into the 21st century. Regulatory agencies have the power to provide needed clarity to businesses but have instead opted to issue broad and convoluted interpretations to further confuse matters or operate under a rulemaking by enforcement policy. This lack of clarity has also created a cottage industry of plaintiff attorneys who leverage uncertainty and draconian statutory damage and fee shifting provisions to extract large settlements from legitimate businesses. Many of these expenses get baked into the cost of credit and passed on to the consumer. Consumers and businesses alike would benefit greatly from clear, concise and commonsense rules.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
I would like to tell you I would be playing centerfield for the New York Yankees. Realistically, I think I would probably have a transactional law practice focused on real estate, probate, estate planning and performing outside general counsel duties for various companies.
Describe a typical work day.
Each day brings new challenges. Generally speaking, my days are occupied by a healthy mix of compliance, litigation, transactional, operational and employment matters.
What is your guilty pleasure?
I probably watch more cartoons than some kids.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Done is better than perfect and fortune favors the bold.
What are you currently reading?
The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money and Power by Daniel Yergin
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
I played college baseball and love everything about the sport.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Mike Frost, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at CBE Companies; Brian Sayer, Managing Partner at Sayer Law Group
