Foreclosure Law Changes: What Attorneys Must Know About SB 1079, AB 2424, and Compliance Risks

Mr. Long is an approved instructor for the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS) continuing education program, a credential reserved for qualified industry professionals charged with training the next generation of licensed mortgage practitioners. His active status as a working loan servicer and President of Southwest Bancorp means that, unlike many experts whose knowledge predates the post-2007 regulatory landscape, his qualifications reflect direct, ongoing experience operating under today's framework — including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the California Homeowner Bill of Rights (HBOR).

Mr. Long is a Past President of the California Mortgage Association, one of the most influential trade organizations serving the California mortgage lending industry, and he previously served as the Association's Education Chair. His continued service on the CMA Board of Directors and Education Committee reflects the industry's sustained recognition of his leadership, judgment, and educational contributions to the profession.

Mr. Long is an active and sought-after voice in industry education. He participates extensively in seminar presentations addressing loan servicing, legal and regulatory compliance, mortgage lending, and private money lending, and he serves as a continuing education instructor for NMLS-approved coursework. Through his ongoing role on the California Mortgage Association's Board of Directors and Education Committee, he helps shape the educational programming that informs mortgage professionals across the state on evolving standards, regulatory developments, and best practices. He testifies frequently across a broad range of mortgage-related disputes and is regularly retained by attorneys, parties, and triers of fact who benefit from his ability to clearly explain complex loan servicing concepts in accessible terms.

Mr. Long has been active in California real estate lending since 1981, giving him more than 45 years of continuous industry experience spanning multiple economic cycles, the 2007 mortgage crisis, and the sweeping regulatory reforms that followed. As President of Southwest Bancorp, he oversees the servicing, making, and arranging of real estate loans for both consumer and non-consumer purposes, giving him direct operational familiarity with the full life cycle of a mortgage loan — from origination through servicing, payoff, and, where necessary, default administration and foreclosure. As a loan servicing expert witness, Mr. Long provides expert reports, declarations, consultation, deposition testimony, and trial testimony in matters involving loan servicing, loan origination, and investment in real estate loans. His expert work encompasses the full spectrum of issues that arise between borrowers and loan servicers — including Requests for Mortgage Assistance (RMAs), loan modification processing, forbearance agreements, alleged dual tracking and wrongful foreclosure, single point of contact (SPOC) requirements, Homeowner Bill of Rights and Dodd-Frank compliance, servicing transfers, impound and escrow account disputes, and payoff and reconveyance issues. He also advises disputes between investors and loan servicers, including matters involving fractionalized trust deeds and multi-lender loans under Section 10238 of the California Business and Professions Code, foreclosure trustee interaction, REO administration, investor reporting, and disbursement of investor funds.

Well-known for his hard work, responsiveness and expertise in achieving great results for his clients

Litigator focusing on real estate disputes with additional experience handling real estate transactions. Has tried cases for both plaintiffs and defendants in states across the Upper Midwest. Also mediates real estate-related matters including residential and commercial construction disputes, commercial landlord-tenant matters and boundary and easement disputes.

Maintains an active pro bono practice, regularly representing clients in the courtroom in civil rights, housing and public benefits cases.

Experience in both state and federal courts around the country. Works with individual clients and businesses of all sizes to provide a tailored approach to each case that protects client interests in a cost-effective manner.