New employees join ACA International member company’s litigation and government enforcement practice groups.
02/18/2022 2:15 P.M.
2.5 minute read
Hudson Cook LLP, an ACA International member company, is pleased to announce the hiring of new partner Julia Whitelock and new associates Gabriela Chambi and Kristen Yarows, according to a news release.
Whitelock joins the firm’s litigation and government enforcement practice groups, representing businesses facing individual and class-action litigation and arbitration arising under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Telephone Consumer Protection Act, and other federal and state consumer protection laws. She has successfully enforced arbitration clauses, defeated class certification, and obtained favorable resolution of consumer claims on individual and class bases. Whitelock was most recently a partner with a large national firm where she represented businesses across many industries in consumer, complex commercial, and intellectual property litigation and arbitration.
“Julia brings a wealth of consumer litigation defense experience to Hudson Cook,” said Mark Rooney, a litigation partner at Hudson Cook, in a news release. “She routinely litigates in Virginia, Maryland, and [Washington,] D.C. and will help the firm meet our clients’ growing litigation needs in those jurisdictions and beyond. Her work with consumer data solutions providers, including background screeners and mortgage data analysts, and debt collectors adds new depth to our already robust capabilities in those areas.”
As an associate, Chambi primarily represents consumer finance companies and other clients in litigation and government investigations and enforcement actions. Originally from Bolivia, Chambi is a bilingual attorney fluent in English and Spanish. Her practice includes translating and analyzing documents in Spanish, and she is a member of the Hispanic National Bar Association. Before entering private practice, Chambi clerked for the District Court of Maryland in Montgomery County.
Yarows joins the firm’s Washington, D.C., office from the Partner Enforcement and Consumer Protection Directorate at the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid. She investigated institutions of higher education for violations of state and federal consumer protection laws. Yarows primarily represents clients in government investigations and enforcement actions.
“We are thrilled to welcome Julia, Gabriela and Kristen to Hudson Cook, expanding our capabilities in the litigation and government investigations practice areas with these talented lawyers,” said Chuck Dodge, Hudson Cook’s managing partner. “Whether defending our clients in government investigations or in private consumer litigation, our growing team is able to leverage our comprehensive understanding of both federal and state consumer financial services regulatory matters to find the ideal defense strategy. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary this year, we look forward to leveraging Julia’s, Gabriela’s and Kristen’s unique skills for the benefit of our clients and are proud to add them to our team.”
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