In good times and in bad, financial institutions face a variety of legal issues on a daily basis. At Bakke Norman, we have a combined 45+ years of experience in helping lenders throughout the lending and collection processes.
Regardless of whether your organization is a community bank, credit union, regional lender, or other financial institution, securing experienced legal counsel can assist you in navigating compliance challenges, managing risk, and safeguarding your interests. At Bakke Norman, our Wisconsin lending and finance attorneys offer a comprehensive range of services designed to meet the unique needs of lenders in Wisconsin.
We provide strategic, detail-oriented guidance at every stage of the lending process, helping financial institutions maintain sound documentation practices, manage secured transactions, and respond effectively to default or collection matters.
Accurate and enforceable loan documentation establishes the foundation of every lending relationship. Our attorneys routinely assist clients with preparing, reviewing, and perfecting loan documents. We advise on issues such as:
Our experience allows us to help lenders anticipate and mitigate potential disputes before they arise.
Our attorneys have decades of experience guiding lenders through the collection process, from initial default notices to foreclosure actions, replevin, and the collection of deficiency judgments. We handle both commercial and consumer matters, always with a focus on compliance, professionalism, and efficiency.
We also represent lenders in cases involving repossession of personal property, enforcement of promissory notes, and post-judgment recovery. Our team understands the nuances of Wisconsin foreclosure procedures and works closely with clients to pursue available remedies while maintaining compliance with all notice and timing requirements.
In addition to judicial actions, we provide advice on out-of-court loan workouts and restructuring agreements that can help preserve relationships and recover value without unnecessary litigation.
Bakke Norman attorneys also frequently work with lenders and other stakeholders to assess positions and litigate issues that arise in bankruptcy matters, state court receivership proceedings, and out-of-courtl loan restructures, forebearance arrangements and workout agreements.
Our attorneys routinely represent secured and unsecured creditors in bankruptcy proceedings, whether in Chapter 7 liquidation proceedings, complex Chapter 11 reorganizations, farm bankruptcies under Chapter 12, or individual wage earner reorganizations under Chapter 13. . We help lenders protect collateral, assert claims, contest dischargeability of debt, and navigate the automatic stay process. In Wisconsin receivership cases, we assist with creditor rights, liquidation oversight, and related litigation.
Our attorneys have participated in bankruptcy proceedings across Wisconsin, as well as in Minnesota, Delaware, Texas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska. They are frequently asked to speak at regional and national bankruptcy conferences, and are actively involved in state bar activities that have a meaningful impact on the practice of law across the state. By combining technical bankruptcy and receivership knowledge with practical business insight, our attorneys help financial institutions make informed decisions about recovery strategies and loan restructuring opportunities to maximize return while minimizing cost and risk. .
Financial regulations evolve constantly, and lenders must remain proactive to stay compliant. Our team advises clients on matters involving federal and state banking regulations, lending practices, and consumer protection laws. We stay current with Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) updates and relevant federal statutes such as the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
In addition to transaction-specific compliance, we assist with developing internal policies and procedures that promote consistent, compliant operations from a regulatory perspective.
We also offer in-house education to assist financial institutions and train their lenders and staff on current issues and changing laws.
Our attorneys frequently conduct customized training sessions for lending teams, compliance officers, and management. These sessions cover topics such as:
By investing in education, lenders can better identify potential issues early and ensure their staff operate within legal and regulatory expectations.
For more than four decades, Bakke Norman has represented Wisconsin businesses, financial institutions, and individuals with a focus on integrity, collaboration, and results. Our team brings together attorneys with extensive experience in lending, litigation, and business law. This multidisciplinary perspective allows us to provide balanced advice that takes into account both legal and operational realities, helping clients make practical decisions under often difficult circumstances.
Each attorney brings focused experience in their practice area, allowing Bakke Norman to deliver comprehensive representation tailored to the needs of community lenders and financial institutions throughout Wisconsin.
