I am thrilled to announce that the Getting to Know series will be sponsored by TEC Services Group in 2024. TEC Services Group is the leading technology and professional services firm in the credit collections industry offering both leading industry solutions along with unrivaled, unbiased, and experienced support. TEC is now extending its services by offering proven, industry-leading technology solutions alongside of our Professional Services to help Clients feel confident in their technology decisions. Learn more at ww.tecsg.com.
Cara Cotter has probably visited more countries than the number of states in the country that most people have visited. Working in the ARM industry for nine years has helped feed Cara’s love for traveling, and she has more trips planned for 2025. Read on to learn more about Cara, why she loves a challenge, and why she’s always willing to share her perspective.
Name: Cara Cotter
Job Title: Partner
Company: Kaleo Legal
Length of time at current company: Six months
Length of time in industry: Almost nine years
How did you get your start in the industry?
After working for a law firm based in Norfolk, Virginia handling business bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, and civil litigation matters, I joined PRA Group, Inc. as Compliance Counsel. Working in-house for a major debt buyer in the industry provided a unique opportunity to learn the various issues impacting the industry, from the debt collection laws themselves to all the related issues, such as consumer privacy, cybersecurity, contractual considerations, and more.
What is your career highlight so far?
Clerking for Justice S. Bernard Goodwyn (now Chief Justice) on the Virginia Supreme Court. I enjoyed researching challenging legal issues along the full spectrum of civil and criminal matters. More importantly, Chief Justice Goodwyn is a wonderful role model and person. He is extraordinarily intelligent while also kind (and funny!). It truly was a privilege to begin my career working for him.
When or how are you most productive?
I am happiest and most productive when I have a challenging legal issue to digest in relation to a project that will ultimately become a presentation or legal document, such as a brief or comments to proposed legislation. Some of my former coworkers will recognize this is true and remember how happy I was when writing comments to Proposed Regulation F.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
Naomi Muellner, Senior Vice President at Resurgent. Naomi has vast experience and deep knowledge of the issues facing the industry. She is an absolute pro at all aspects of her job and is a pleasure to work with.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
I enjoy the challenge of distilling complex statutes and regulations into an understandable and useful presentation or resource for my clients or business partners.
What do you like most about this industry?
My favorite aspect of this industry is the collaboration among industry participants. Through the various industry groups or directly through networking and connections, members are willing to share information, discuss challenging topics, and work together to provide training or advocate for improvements in the law.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
The unnecessary complexity. Too often, laws are enacted with complex and conflicting disclosures that serve to confuse consumers and increase the cost of compliance without adding value to the consumer experience.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
I have an interest in helping families with estate planning and administration matters and filling a gap in the marketplace. People can see a lawyer to prepare a will or trust but there are fewer resources available to help and support families through end-of-life or health-related challenges, some of which may only be legal adjacent but still complex and confusing for individuals already dealing with stressful, emotional situations.
Describe a typical work day.
On a typical day, I am usually reviewing a debt sale agreement, a privacy policy, or similar documents (such as a data processing agreement). I am also performing legal research, whether reviewing statutes or proposed legislation for compliance advice or in connection with litigation and drafting motions and briefs.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Travel! I love to explore new places and experiences. I have been to 44 countries with more trips planned for 2025.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Don’t change your personality for your legal practice – instead, utilize the strengths of your core personality.
What are you currently reading?
“The Island of Missing Trees” by Elif Shafak
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
I am always up for discussing and debating the challenging legal issues impacting the industry. There are tough questions facing this industry and the more perspectives, the better!
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
– Derek Rogers – Compliance Counsel, PRA Group, Inc.
– Kristyn Leffler, Chief Product Officer – InDebted
– Hillary Varvel, Head of Disputes Management – InDebted
– Chris Lagow, General Counsel – Philips & Cohen Associates Ltd.
– Jake Jones, Senior Director, Compliance – Resurgent
I am thrilled to announce that the Getting to Know series will be sponsored by TEC Services Group in 2024. TEC Services Group is the leading technology and professional services firm in the credit collections industry offering both leading industry solutions along with unrivaled, unbiased, and experienced support. TEC is now extending its services by offering proven, industry-leading technology solutions alongside of our Professional Services to help Clients feel confident in their technology decisions. Learn more at ww.tecsg.com.
Cara Cotter has probably visited more countries than the number of states in the country that most people have visited. Working in the ARM industry for nine years has helped feed Cara’s love for traveling, and she has more trips planned for 2025. Read on to learn more about Cara, why she loves a challenge, and why she’s always willing to share her perspective.
Name: Cara Cotter
Job Title: Partner
Company: Kaleo Legal
Length of time at current company: Six months
Length of time in industry: Almost nine years
How did you get your start in the industry?
After working for a law firm based in Norfolk, Virginia handling business bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, and civil litigation matters, I joined PRA Group, Inc. as Compliance Counsel. Working in-house for a major debt buyer in the industry provided a unique opportunity to learn the various issues impacting the industry, from the debt collection laws themselves to all the related issues, such as consumer privacy, cybersecurity, contractual considerations, and more.
What is your career highlight so far?
Clerking for Justice S. Bernard Goodwyn (now Chief Justice) on the Virginia Supreme Court. I enjoyed researching challenging legal issues along the full spectrum of civil and criminal matters. More importantly, Chief Justice Goodwyn is a wonderful role model and person. He is extraordinarily intelligent while also kind (and funny!). It truly was a privilege to begin my career working for him.
When or how are you most productive?
I am happiest and most productive when I have a challenging legal issue to digest in relation to a project that will ultimately become a presentation or legal document, such as a brief or comments to proposed legislation. Some of my former coworkers will recognize this is true and remember how happy I was when writing comments to Proposed Regulation F.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
Naomi Muellner, Senior Vice President at Resurgent. Naomi has vast experience and deep knowledge of the issues facing the industry. She is an absolute pro at all aspects of her job and is a pleasure to work with.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
I enjoy the challenge of distilling complex statutes and regulations into an understandable and useful presentation or resource for my clients or business partners.
What do you like most about this industry?
My favorite aspect of this industry is the collaboration among industry participants. Through the various industry groups or directly through networking and connections, members are willing to share information, discuss challenging topics, and work together to provide training or advocate for improvements in the law.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
The unnecessary complexity. Too often, laws are enacted with complex and conflicting disclosures that serve to confuse consumers and increase the cost of compliance without adding value to the consumer experience.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
I have an interest in helping families with estate planning and administration matters and filling a gap in the marketplace. People can see a lawyer to prepare a will or trust but there are fewer resources available to help and support families through end-of-life or health-related challenges, some of which may only be legal adjacent but still complex and confusing for individuals already dealing with stressful, emotional situations.
Describe a typical work day.
On a typical day, I am usually reviewing a debt sale agreement, a privacy policy, or similar documents (such as a data processing agreement). I am also performing legal research, whether reviewing statutes or proposed legislation for compliance advice or in connection with litigation and drafting motions and briefs.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Travel! I love to explore new places and experiences. I have been to 44 countries with more trips planned for 2025.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Don’t change your personality for your legal practice – instead, utilize the strengths of your core personality.
What are you currently reading?
“The Island of Missing Trees” by Elif Shafak
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
I am always up for discussing and debating the challenging legal issues impacting the industry. There are tough questions facing this industry and the more perspectives, the better!
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
– Derek Rogers – Compliance Counsel, PRA Group, Inc.
– Kristyn Leffler, Chief Product Officer – InDebted
– Hillary Varvel, Head of Disputes Management – InDebted
– Chris Lagow, General Counsel – Philips & Cohen Associates Ltd.
– Jake Jones, Senior Director, Compliance – Resurgent
