The “Getting to Know” series is sponsored by Applied Innovation. Applied Innovation is helping to shape the future of accounts receivable management. Product development is driven by customer feedback, agency profitability and compliance and includes platforms addressing client portal access, document management, payment negotiation, Regulation E focused electronic payment authorizations and TCPA communication authorization platforms. Partner with a company who understands your business challenges and evolves to provide cutting edge technology to overcome those challenges and achieve success.
Heads up, ARM industry — fresh meat is in the building, although he kind of married into the business. Nathan Copeland has only been in the industry for a year, and he chose debt collection and consumer finance because his mother-in-law and father-in-law have been in the industry for their entire careers. His love for AccountsRecovery.net aside, Ben embodies the next generation of leader that the industry will need to carry on its storied place in the nation’s economy. Read on to learn more about Ben, his love of crypto — and Dove bars — and how he one day hopes to combine the two.
Name: Nathan Copeland
Current Role/Job Title: Associate Attorney
Company: Dreher Tomkies LLP
Length of time at current company: One year
Length of time in industry: One year
How did you get your start in the industry?
After interning in law school at several civil litigation firms, I decided compliance and transactional work suited me best. My father‑in‑law has been a collector for most of his life and my mother‑in‑law is an attorney in the debt collection space as well. They both influenced my decision to seek a position in legal compliance.
What is your career highlight so far?
Being selected to provide a profile on AccountsRecovery.net. A close second would be being part of closing a multi-million dollar consumer lending acquisition deal.
When or how are you most productive?
The extent to which I understand a project or issue will determine my productivity. I am most productive after I have researched and studied the law surrounding an issue and then begin working on a project.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
Ben Hurford. Ben is a fellow associate with me at Dreher Tomkies and always provides me with great advice and guidance in the debt collection space.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
As a firm, I think we are best at providing our clients creative solutions. Our clients come to us with complex issues that may require considering how many different laws impact an issue. I think we are better than most at analyzing our clients issues and providing a creative solution to move projects forward that would otherwise seem unfeasible.
What do you like most about this industry?
I appreciate the willingness of competitors and industry people to provide helpful advice. I think everyone in the industry understands how difficult the regulatory landscape of the debt collection space is and most industry people are willing to lend a helping hand.
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What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
Consumers perception of debt collection. I think the general public has a negative perception of debt collection (understandably), however, I believe most creditors and debt collectors want to comply with the law and not harm consumers.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
I probably would have minted a cryptocurrency and started a digital asset business. That was one of the alternative career paths I considered.
Describe a typical work day
I spend most of my days researching the law and drafting documents and agreements. I also write legal alerts and work on ways to expand my knowledge of the law.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Bitcoin and Dove milk chocolate. I have yet to buy Dove chocolate with Bitcoin, but it is on the bucket list.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Success happens over time and by being intentional with how we spend our time.
What are you currently reading?
Besides the AccountsRecovery.net Daily Digests, bar review books. I am studying to take the Florida bar exam in February.
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
I am a certified NFT expert through the Blockchain Council.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Ben Hurford
The “Getting to Know” series is sponsored by Applied Innovation. Applied Innovation is helping to shape the future of accounts receivable management. Product development is driven by customer feedback, agency profitability and compliance and includes platforms addressing client portal access, document management, payment negotiation, Regulation E focused electronic payment authorizations and TCPA communication authorization platforms. Partner with a company who understands your business challenges and evolves to provide cutting edge technology to overcome those challenges and achieve success
