Dykema Attorney Named to Illinois Mortgage Bankers Association Board of Directors

CHICAGO—Dykema Gossett PLLC is pleased to announce that Brett J. Natarelli, an associate in the firm’s Financial Industry Group, has been appointed to a two-year term on the board of directors for the Illinois Mortgage Bankers Association (IMBA). The IMBA is a trade association comprised of approximately 165 companies and institutions whose business interests revolve around residential and/or commercial mortgage lending. It is the oldest mortgage banking association in the United States.

Mr. Natarelli replaces outgoing board member and legislative director Richard Gottlieb, also from Dykema. With Mr. Natarelli’s appointment, Dykema continues its leadership presence in this important association.

“Brett is a great addition to the IMBA Board,” said Gottlieb. “Nobody has more energy, or more interest in the affairs of IMBA’s members.”

Mr. Natarelli’s practice encompasses several litigation specialties including consumer finance, class actions, and electronic discovery management. Mr. Natarelli’s expansive experience includes defending class actions filed against major mortgage servicer claiming deficiencies in loan modification programs or non-compliance with the federal mortgage loan modification program known as HAMP. Brett also drafted several of the earliest briefs arguing, what is now consensus, that HAMP does not provide a private right of action. Brett also defends mortgage servicers in consumer class actions and contested foreclosures. In addition to his litigation experience, Brett has become familiar with foreclosure laws nationwide in connection with assisting national banks in complying with the recent consent orders relating to foreclosures.

Mr. Natarelli received his undergraduate degree from Benedictine University and holds a law degree from the University of Chicago.