Catalina Morales

Calle Las Magnolias 847, Providencia
+56 9 2847 5631 | catalina.morales@email.com
linkedin.com/in/catalinamorales

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Results-driven attorney with extensive experience in compliance, debt collection litigation, and regulatory risk management within the financial services sector. Proven track record in developing compliance frameworks, managing complex collections portfolios, and ensuring adherence to federal and state regulations including the Bank Secrecy Act, USA PATRIOT Act, and Anti-Money Laundering requirements. Skilled in litigation management, legal research, and drafting pleadings, motions, and summary judgment briefs.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Associate Attorney, Compliance, Collections Practice
Fintech Legal Partners, New York, NY
January 2022 – Present

• Manage compliance oversight for collections practice, ensuring adherence to FDCPA, TCPA, state debt collection statutes, and regulatory requirements across multi-state portfolio
• Draft and review pleadings, motions, summary judgment briefs, and default judgment applications in consumer debt litigation matters
• Conduct comprehensive compliance risk assessments identifying potential regulatory violations and implementing corrective action plans resulting in 35% reduction in compliance incidents
• Develop and maintain compliance framework, policies, and guidelines for collections operations affecting over 15,000 accounts annually
• Collaborate with collections management team to ensure litigation strategies align with regulatory requirements and corporate governance standards

Associate Attorney
Morrison & Associates Legal Group, Boston, MA
June 2019 – December 2021

• Represented financial services clients in debt collection litigation, securing favorable judgments in 90% of contested matters
• Conducted legal research and analysis on complex regulatory issues including Bank Secrecy Act compliance, USA PATRIOT Act requirements, and Anti-Money Laundering protocols
• Drafted and negotiated contracts, settlement agreements, and licensing arrangements for corporate clients
• Managed collateral management issues and secured transactions in commercial lending disputes
• Provided legal counsel on financial crime compliance matters and suspicious activity reporting obligations

Law Clerk
Beacon Legal Services, Boston, MA
September 2017 – May 2019

• Assisted senior attorneys with legal research, memoranda preparation, and case file management for litigation matters
• Drafted discovery requests, responses, and motions for various civil litigation cases
• Conducted jurisprudence research on emerging regulatory requirements in financial services sector
• Prepared course material compilation for client training sessions on compliance topics

EDUCATION

Juris Doctor (J.D.)
Suffolk University Law School, Boston, MA
Graduated: May 2019

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Boston College, Boston, MA
Graduated: May 2016

CERTIFICATIONS & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Adjunct Faculty Certification, Suffolk University Law School, 2023
• Anti-Money Laundering Specialist Training, 2022
• Financial Crime Compliance Certification Program, 2021

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

Legal Practice: Litigation Management, Legal Research, Pleadings and Motions Drafting, Summary Judgment, Contract Drafting, Contract Negotiation

Compliance & Regulatory: Compliance Framework Development, Compliance Risk Assessment, Governance Risk and Compliance, Bank Secrecy Act, USA PATRIOT Act, Anti-Money Laundering, Financial Crime Compliance, Regulatory Requirements

Collections & Financial Services: Debt Collection, Collections Management, Collateral Management, Financial Services Regulations, Licensing

Specialized Knowledge: Corporate Law, Intellectual Property, Entertainment Law, Records Management, Risk Management, Transactions

BAR ADMISSIONS

Licensed to practice law in Massachusetts, 2019

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• American Bar Association, Member
• Massachusetts Bar Association, Member
• National Association of Consumer Advocates, Member