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About Craig
Biography
Craig Shapiro is originally from Northbrook, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. After attending Northern Illinois University, he obtained his juris doctor from Chicago-Kent College of Law. While there he obtained a Certificate in Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution, was awarded the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Trial Advocacy, and was a certified mediator for the Center for Conflict Resolution. After clerking during law school for Rand Bragg, a member of Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates's consumer protection department, Mr. Shapiro joined the firm full-time. After six years at Horwitz, Mr. Shapiro left to join Keogh Law, a boutique class action firm in Chicago advancing the rights of consumers. After deciding to relocate to Raleigh, Mr. Shapiro joined the Law Offices of John T. Orcutt as the head of its consumer rights department. In early 2023, after nearly ten years at the Orcutt office, Mr. Shapiro chose to leave to open his own firm focusing on consumer protection and bankruptcy litigation.
He has spent his career litigating cases involving unlawful debt collection practices and credit reporting, usurious lending, and wrongful mortgage practices. He has been appointed class counsel in numerous class actions certified in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, and North Carolina, and is licensed to practice in the States of Illinois ("voluntary inactive" status) and North Carolina, and is a member of the bars of the United States Courts of Appeals for the Fourth and Seventh Circuits and United States District Courts for the Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of Illinois, Northern District of Indiana, the Western District of Michigan, and the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina.
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
Consumer Protection
100%
21 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in North Carolina for 10 years
State: North Carolina
Acquired: 2015
No misconduct found
Licensed in Illinois for 21 years
State: Illinois
Acquired: 2005
No misconduct found
Location
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Craig Matthew Shapiro's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
16 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (16)
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Practice Areas
Showing 6 - 10 of 16 reviews
Posted by Debbie | January 10, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Debt Settlement
Review for Craig Shapiro
Craig Shapiro represented us with a creditor . He was always very prompt and always kept us informed of his progress at all times. He was always very professional yet he was also very concerned about our well being. Mr. Shapiro never acted like he was too busy no matter how many times w...
Posted by Pamela | May 13, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
Excellent Attorney
I was very fortunate to find in Attorney Craig Shapiro the perfect combination of competence, professionalism and commitment. I always felt that he genuinely had my best interest in mind. Moreover, Attorney Craig listened to me and was so patient to answer my thousand and one questions! This quality...
Posted by Angela | November 09, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Debt Settlement
Excellent Attorney
Mr. Shapiro went ABOVE and BEYOND all my expectations. He went to bat for me against a creditor who crossed the line and never stopped until he won the settlement!! Prompt, professional and always on top of things. Would absolutely use him again for any case I have!! Highly recommend Mr. Shapiro.
Posted by Shannon | August 07, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
So thorough ....
Mr Shapiro was informative from the very beginning in explaining how a suit would work. There was never any pressure put on me, as he handled everything professionally and in a timely manner. I was kept informed, and if I had any questions or concerns, they were always answered within the day and in ...
Posted by Allen | December 22, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Bankruptcy & Debt
CRAIG SHAPIRO
Let me tell you. I'm old man from the mountains and to me and mans word means everything. These days it is hard to trust someone. This guy right here..Mr. Shapiro.. he is one of those guys you can trust. We had a special circumstance that came up during our bankruptcy. The law firm got us in touch wi...
Craig Matthew Shapiro's Lawyer Endorsements
"If you are being bullied and harassed by your creditors, there is no better attorney to have on your side than Craig Shapiro. Craig is a knowledgeable, dilligent, and aggressive protector of consumer rights. Over the past 4 years, I have witnessed him go toe to toe with the biggest banks in the country. He is thoroughly versed in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the North Carolina Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act (UDTPA). You have rights you probably don't even know about. Craig knows. If you're being stepped on, beat down, and want to fight back, give Craig a call."
"I endorse this lawyer."
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Experience
Honors
2003
Excellence for the Future Award in Trial Advocacy, CALI
Work Experience
2023 - Present
Attorney, Shapiro Law Office, PLLC
2013 - 2023
Attorney, Law Offices of John T. Orcutt
2011 - 2013
Attorney, Keogh Law, Ltd
2005 - 2011
Attorney, Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates,Ltd.
Associations
2005 - Present
National Association of Consumer AdvocatesMember
2023 - 2025
National Association of Consumer AdvocatesCo-chair, Board of Directors
2020 - 2023
National Association of Consumer AdvocatesTreasurer, Board of Directors
2018 - 2025
National Associates of Consumer AdvocatesBoard of Directors
2017 - 2023
16th Judicial District Bar AssociationMember
2016 - 2023
National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy AttorneysMember
2015 - 2017
10th Judicial District Bar AssociationMember
2014 - 2023
National Association of Consumer AdvocatesMember, Ethics Committee
Sample of Legal Cases
Bivens v. NewRez LLC and CitiMortgage, Inc. (In re Bivens), 625 B.R. 843, 2021 WL 1159878 (Bankr.M.D.N.C., Mar. 25, 2021)
The Court denied CitiMortgage's motion to dismiss, finding the Plaintiff had stated claims under 11 U.S.C 524, 11 U.S.C 362, and Bankruptcy Rule 3002.1
Bivens v. NewRez LLC and CitiMortgage, Inc. (In re Bivens), 2021 WL 863343 (Bankr.M.D.N.C., Mar. 2, 2021)
Court denied CitiMortgage's motion, holding that the Bankruptcy Court had jurisdiction over the Plaintiff's claims under Bankruptcy Code and Bankruptcy Rules
Carnegie v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC (In re Carnegie), 621 B.R. 392, 2020 WL 5887541 (Bankr.M.D.N.C. 2020)
The Court denied in part and granted in part the defendant's motion to dismiss.
Williams, et al. v. Citifinancial, et al. (In re Williams), 612 B.R. 682, 2020 WL 411291 (Bankr.M.D.N.C. 2020)
The Court denied the defendants' two motions to dismiss, findind that the plaintiffs had plead plausible causes of action as to the automatic stay and discharge injunction. The Court dismissed the FDCPA claims solely on jurisdictional grounds.
Hilton v. Stern & Eisenberg, P.C., 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 113574 (M.D.N.C. 2018)
The Court granted Plaintiff leave to conduct jurisdictional discovery and denied Defendant's motion without prejudice.
Clark v. Absolute Collection Serv., 741 F.3d 487 (4th Cir. 2014)
The Fourth Circuit vacated the District Court’s judgment and remanded for further proceedings.
Lox v. CDA, Ltd., 689 F.3d 818 (7th Cir. 2012)
The Seventh Circuit reversed the District Court's opinion as to the appealed count. The 7th Circuit found that the statement regarding attorney fees was materially false on its face and, therefore, required no extrinsic evidence.
Nelson-McGourty v. L&P Fin. Adjusters, 2010 U.S.Dist.LEXIS 81819 (N.D.Ill., Aug. 12, 2010)
Judgment for Defendant
Hicks v. Client Services, Inc., 2008 U.S.Dist.LEXIS 101129 (S.D.Fla. 2008)
The Court granted Plaintiff's motion for class certification, certifyied the class, appointed Plaintiff as the class representative, and appointed Mr. Shapiro and Mr. Yarbrough as class counsel.
Acik v. I.C. System, Inc., 251 F.R.D. 332 (N.D.Ill. 2008)
The Court granted Plaintiff's motion for class certification, certified the class, appointed Plaintiff as the class representative, and appointed Mr. Shapiro and O. Randolph Bragg as class counsel.
Education
2004
Chicago-Kent College of Law Illinois Institute of Technology
JD - Juris Doctor
2000
Northern Illinois University
Bachelor's
Speaking Engagements
2025
Consumer Rights Litigation Conference - Introduction to Consumer Law Intensive - NCLC & NACA
Litigate Smart: Building Strength, Strategy, and Support in Consumer Cases
2022
42nd Annual Middle District Bankruptcy Seminar
Taggart, Fulton, and Gravel – What does it mean to violate the automatic stay and discharge injunction?
2020
Oregon State Bar - Northwest Bankruptcy Institute (Telephone Seminar)
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and Consumer Bankruptcy Practice
2020
Durham Bar Association 2020 CLE Program
FDCPA Basics That Every Attorney Should Know
2019
Member's Only Puerto Rico Workshop - National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys
Bankruptcy Litigation: Identifying Bankruptcy Litigation Causes of Action
2019
Member's Only Puerto Rico Workshop - National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys
Bankruptcy Litigation: Setting Up Your Practice to Identify Litigation Opportunities
2019
Fair Debt Collection Training Conference - National Consumer Law Center
Representing Consumers With FDCPA Claims: Getting Started
2019
Consumer Rights Litigation Conference - National Consumer Law Center
The ABCs of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
2019
40th Annual Middle District Bankruptcy Seminar
Good Faith Defense to Discharge Injunction Violations
2018
Fair Debt Collection Training Conference - National Consumer Law Center
Representing Consumers With FDCPA Claims: Getting Started
2018
Durham County Bar Association 2018 CLE Program
Cracking the Code: What Attorneys Need to Know About Credit Scores and Credit Reports (presented with materials provided by Suzanne Begnoche)
2017
National Association of Chapter Thirteen Trustees Academy for Consumer Bankruptcy Education (Webinar)
Spokeo and Its Impact on Standing: What’s Next?
2017
Max Gardner’s Consumer Defense Academy, featuring the Bankruptcy Boot Camp
The FDCPA and Bankruptcy Claims Arising Under the FDCPA
2017
Fair Debt Collection Training Conference - National Consumer Law Center
FDCP Fundamentals: The Care and Feeding of Your FDCP Case (Client Intake, Retainers, Recording Calls, Client Logs, Investigation)
2017
Annual Convention - National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys
FDCPA Extreme! (6-hour FDCPA intensive)
2016
National Association of Chapter Thirteen Trustees Academy for Consumer Bankruptcy Education (Webinar)
Making Money with "Consumer Rights" Claims in Chapter 13
2016
Fair Debt Collection Training Conference - National Consumer Law Center
FDCP Fundamentals: The Care and Feeding of Your FDCP Case (Client Intake, Retainers, Recording Calls, Client Logs, Investigation)
2016
39th Annual Bankruptcy Institute - North Carolina Bar Association
Spokeo and Its Impact on Standing: What’s Next?
2015
Fair Debt Collection Training Conference - National Consumer Law Center
Crawford and other Claims Based on Debt Collection Activity in Bankruptcy Court – Individual and Class Action Cases
2014
Consumer Rights Litigation Conference - National Consumer Law Center
How to Successfully Manage a New Consumer Law Practice and Some Rookie Mistakes to Dodge
2013
Fair Debt Collection Training Conference - National Consumer Law Center
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: Coverage, Violations, & Remedies
2012
Fair Debt Collection Training Conference - National Consumer Law Center
FDCPA Practice & Litigation: Errors to Avoid in an FDCPA Practice
2012
Consumer Rights Litigation Conference - National Consumer Law Center
Rookie Errors to Avoid in FDCPA Practice & Litigation
2011
Consumer Rights Litigation Conference - National Consumer Law Center
Errors to Avoid in FDCPA Practice & Litigation
2011
Consumer Rights Litigation Conference - National Consumer Law Center
Statute of Limitations and the Choice of Law Rules
2010
Fair Debt Collection Training Conference - National Consumer Law Center
TCPA, Rule 68, Class, and Other Law Related to an FDCPA Practice
2009
Fair Debt Collection Training Conference - National Consumer Law Center
Meeting the Ethical Requirements for Class Action Notices and Administration
Publications
2013
The Art of Advocacy: Briefs, Motions and Writing Strategies of America's Best Lawyers (A portion of my brief was included in this legal writing book as an example of persuasive writing.)
Brief in Support of Motion for Summary Judgment from Hicks v. Client Services
Languages
English