Spotlight on . . . Morgan McCord
August 22, 2018
Morgan McCord joined Eckert Seaman’s White Plains office in 2014. He grew up in Glen Ridge, a small town in Essex County, New Jersey, where he was known for often helping others in the community. At his high school graduation, Morgan received the town’s “Good Citizen Award,” which was awarded by the mayor and town council for his contributions as a member of the Glen Ridge Volunteer Ambulance Squad. One reason he was nominated for the award, he says, was the fact that he was the only member of his high school graduating class to have brought a Glen Ridge resident back to life(!) He continued his volunteerism in college as a member of the Muhlenberg College Emergency Medical Squad, and was licensed as an emergency medical technician in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania for six years. Today, Morgan lives in Cresskill, New Jersey, where he continues his civic work as a member of the community’s zoning board and member of Cresskill’s 9/11 Memorial Commission. “In the future, I plan to run for Cresskill Town Council and perhaps for mayor,” he says.
Morgan married his college sweetheart, Jodi. The two met during their freshmen year orientation at Muhlenberg College. “I told Jodi the first day I met her that she would be my future girlfriend. The rest is history.” Morgan and Jodi have two “boisterous” sons, Dylan (age 5) and Devon (age 2), and a Shih Tzu named Hank.
Morgan focuses his practice on banking, financial services, consumer and commercial collections, and bankruptcy litigation. He represents banks, loan servicers, and other financial institutions through all phases of litigation involving diverse claims. These claims typically involve lender liability, title issues, contested foreclosures, stolen and forged negotiable instruments, fraudulent or unauthorized account transactions, electronic transactions, identity theft, cashier’s checks, and other retail and wholesale banking transactions. Morgan also represents financial services institutions in defending matters arising under the full range of laws and statutes regulating the consumer finance industry, such as the Truth-in-Lending Act, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and Fair Credit Reporting Act.
In addition to his banking experience, Morgan counsels regional companies, acting as outside general counsel to several prominent New York accounting firms and local businesses on a variety of issues, including regulatory compliance, employment disputes, contractual disputes, and privacy issues.
Q&A
What led you to pursue a career in law?
At Muhlenberg College, I took a business law class taught by a practicing attorney named Jim Holzinger. Jim was not only an excellent professor, but a wonderful person. He helped nurture my growing interest in the law. I remain in contact with him today.
What do you enjoy most about your practice?
I enjoy the intellectual rigor and challenge associated with representing financial institutions in consumer finance litigation.
Who inspires you?
I have always been inspired by Abraham Lincoln; our nation’s finest president in my opinion. In fact, I have a copy of the Gettysburg Address framed on my office wall. One of my favorite Abraham Lincoln quotes is, “You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.”
Do you have any hidden talents?
Aside from my extensive training as an emergency medical technician, I am my family’s handyman. I am competent with electrical, HVAC, masonry, and plumbing. I am routinely called upon by friends and colleagues for assistance with a variety of home repair projects. Recently, I tried my hand at auto body repair, which is still a work in progress.
What is your favorite movie?
My favorite movie is The Usual Suspects. I have seen that movie at least 25 times.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
I am a twin. I have a fraternal twin brother named Spencer McCord, who is also an attorney. Spencer is a partner, also promoted this year, in a Texas-based law firm that specializes in municipal collection.