Joseph A. Apatov
Joseph A. Apatov
Partner
"I enjoy developing creative solutions to complicated problems. I find novel ways to win disputes, but I also know not all fights are worth having, and I pride myself on steering clients away from pyrrhic victories."
Joseph A. Apatov
Partner
"I enjoy developing creative solutions to complicated problems. I find novel ways to win disputes, but I also know not all fights are worth having, and I pride myself on steering clients away from pyrrhic victories."
About Joe
Joe defends clients in class actions and complex litigation nationwide, with a particular focus on cases involving consumer protection and privacy statutes. He has over a decade of experience representing banks, FinTechs, automobile finance companies, mortgage lenders and servicers, online lenders, and private-label card issuers in high-stakes individual and class action litigation. Joe has led the defense in dozens of class actions in state and federal courts, including bankruptcy and appellate courts, and has been part of teams defending many more.
Joe routinely handles claims brought under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and its state analogues, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), Unfair or Deceptive Acts or Practices (UDAP) statutes, usury and licensing statutes, and wiretapping statutes, among others. He defends against these claims both in court and in arbitration.
Clients rely on Joe to identify the root causes of litigation, determine whether systemic issues require attention, and anticipate potential disputes that may arise from changes in the law. He frequently works with compliance attorneys to help clients develop solutions that mitigate future litigation risk.
Areas of Focus
Industries:
Services:
- Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR);
- Appellate;
- Bankruptcy, Workout Strategic Planning & Restructuring;
- Complex Commercial Litigation;
- Consumer & Class Action Defense;
- Data Privacy, AI & Cybersecurity;
- Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA);
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA);
- Financial Services Litigation;
- Financial Services Regulatory & Compliance;
- Litigation & Trial;
- Mortgage Lending & Servicing Litigation;
- Regulatory & Compliance;
- Subpoena Response Management;
- Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA);
- Website Data Privacy
Credentials
Education
- Duke University School of Law, JD, Duke-Geneva Institute in Transational Law, 2011
- Pennsylvania State University, BA, with honors, 2007
Bar Admissions
- Florida
Court Admissions
- US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- US Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida
- US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida
- US District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- US District Court for the Northern District of Florida
- US District Court for the Southern District of Florida
Thought Leadership
Presentations
As a featured speaker, Joe frequently shares his insights on credit reporting, class actions, and the complexities of complex litigation.
- "All Stages of the Class Action Life Cycle: Helpful Strategies from Prevention to Resolution," 2025 Consumer Finance Legal Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, October 24, 2025
- "FCRA Update – From Identity Theft to Legal Disputes and Everything in Between," 2025 Consumer Finance Legal Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, October 23, 2025
- "Rule 23 Strategies After Trump v. CASA: Preparing for and Adapting to Changes in Class Action Law," Barbri, Webinar, September 18, 2025
- "Navigating the Fair Credit Reporting Act: Trends, Developments and Challenges," Client CLE, Irving, Texas, February 11, 2025
- "FCRA Updates and Data Sharing Litigation," 2024 Consumer Finance Legal Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, October 30, 2024
Thought Leadership
Presentations
As a featured speaker, Joe frequently shares his insights on credit reporting, class actions, and the complexities of complex litigation.
- "All Stages of the Class Action Life Cycle: Helpful Strategies from Prevention to Resolution," 2025 Consumer Finance Legal Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, October 24, 2025
- "FCRA Update – From Identity Theft to Legal Disputes and Everything in Between," 2025 Consumer Finance Legal Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, October 23, 2025
- "Rule 23 Strategies After Trump v. CASA: Preparing for and Adapting to Changes in Class Action Law," Barbri, Webinar, September 18, 2025
- "Navigating the Fair Credit Reporting Act: Trends, Developments and Challenges," Client CLE, Irving, Texas, February 11, 2025
- "FCRA Updates and Data Sharing Litigation," 2024 Consumer Finance Legal Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, October 30, 2024
