I've been fighting for several years to have a blemish removed from my
credit report.  The blemish resulted from a move to a new location,
when an unused credit card didn't get my updated address (I suspect
the firm didn't process the change of address).  A very small charge
ended up being sent to collection without my knowledge.

Unfortunately, despite having strong personal finances and a
very good job, this small blemish is causing me serious problems with
loans, insurance, utilities and other basic services.  Many companies
process credit reports robotically --- so I get regularly rejected
for insurance and other services, even if I explain my situation,
provide personal asset summaries to demonstrate strong finances, or
even offer to pre-pay for years in advance!  I continually get "I'm
sorry, but our system requires you to pass our computerized credit
threshold; there are no exceptions".

Originally I assumed I could simply have this mistake removed as a
bookkeeping error on the bank's part, but since I paid off the small
quantity in question, I have no leverage with anyone.

I suspect I'm in a hopeless situation, but I'd like to at least walk
my case by a competent attorney who can advise me of my options. 
Unfortunately, most lawyers I found with a quick search seem to focus
on bankruptcies and other people with financial problems.  I'm not in
that situation.  None of my friends and colleagues have useful
experience to recommend either.

QUESTION: Can someone help me understand how I can successful locate a
skilled attorney who'd be appropriate for someone who needs to
understand credit report legal options, but who does not have bad
finances?  What skills/types of lawyers do I even look for?  Is there
a better process than randomly calling every lawyer in the Yellow
Pages?!?!?  Please note that I have never hired a lawyer in the past,
and have no experience with legal counsel search.

P.S. I'm hoping to avoid the "bulk" credit lawyers, like Lexington Law
Firm, which just send form letters to all credit agencies.  I really
want a full-service attorney who can represent me personally.

---

Request for Question Clarification by ephraim-ga on 14 Jul 2003 21:44 PDT

Are you looking for a lawyer located anywhere or in a specific location?

/ephraim

---

Clarification of Question by bkft-ga on 14 Jul 2003 22:09 PDT

Northern California (SF Bay area) would be ideal.

<You need an attorney who specialises in consumer law and more
specifically in unfair credit reporting.

The National Association of Consumer Advocates is a nationwide
association of over 800 attorneys who are experienced in consumer law.
http://www.naca.net/

A search on their site for lawyers experienced in unfair credit
reporting produced a list of 13 individuals. A search for lawyers with
an advanced level of experience produced two individuals. You can
perform the same searches from the link http://www.naca.net/db.php3

To find lawyers with an advanced level in credit reporting law, enter
the following details:
State – California, 
Area – fair credit reporting, 
Level – advanced.

To find lawyers with experience in fair credit reporting law enter the
following details:
State – California, 
Area – fair credit reporting, 
Level – experienced.
Clicking on view details gives contact details.


Advanced level lawyers.

John L.Fallat
Law Offices of John L. Fallat
Located in Kentfield 
http://www.lawyers.com/fallat/index.jsp


Howard Strong
Contact details:
PO Box 570092
Tarzana, CA
ZIP 91357-0092
Telephone 818-343-4434


Experienced level (in the San Francisco area).

The Sturdevant Law Firm
http://www.sturdevantlaw.com/

Carol McLean Brewer
Kemnitzer, Anderson, Barron & Ogilvie
http://www.kabolaw.com/pages/default.asp

Mary B. Cunniff
The Law Offices of Timothy C. Cronin, Esq.
809 Montgomery St., 2nd Floor
San Francisco, CA
ZIP 94133
Telephone (415) 951-0166
Email mbcunniff@crolaw.com

Eric H. Gibbs
Girard Gibbs & De Bartolomeo LLP
http://www.girardgibbs.com/

Law Offices of Sharon Kinsey.
http://www.consumeradvocate.net/
Areas of speciality
http://www.consumeradvocate.net/practice.html


The California State Bar Association offers advice about hiring a
lawyer.
http://www.calbar.ca.gov/state/calbar/calbar_generic.jsp?sCategoryPath=/Home/Public%20Services/Consumer%20Information/Pamphlets&sImagePath=Hiring_A_Lawyer.gif&sCatHtmlPath=html/Pamphlets_Hire-Lawyer.html&sFileType=HTML&sHeading=Hiring%20a%20Lawyer

You can check a lawyer’s official bar record by searching for their
name at
http://members.calbar.ca.gov/search/member.aspx

There are a number of lawyer referral services in San Francisco that
can also help you to locate a lawyer suitable for your needs.
http://www.calbar.ca.gov/state/calbar/calbar_generic.jsp?sCategoryPath=/Home/About%20the%20Bar/Links/Lawyer%20Referral%20Services&sHeading=County%20Programs&sCounty=San%20Francisco%20County&sCatHtmlPath=calbar_lawyer_referral.jsp>


<Additional links:>

<Consumer Federation of California.>
<http://www.consumerfedofca.org/>

<Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC) is an organisation of 3,000
lawyers who represent consumers.>
<http://caoc.com/about.htm>

<Advice on finding a lawyer.>
<http://consumerlawpage.com/article/howhire.shtml>

<Fair credit reporting.>
<http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/fcra.htm>

<Credit repair.>
<http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/repair.htm>


<Search strategy:>

<"consumer law" association California>
<://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=%22consumer+law%22+association+california>

<"national association of consumer advocates">
<://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=%22national+association+of+consumer+advocates%22>

<lawyers "consumer protection law" credit>
<://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=lawyers+%22consumer+protection+law%22&as_q=credit>


<Hope this helps.>

This was a helpful and relevant answer, matching the needs I
indicated.  It also summarizes the search strategy clearly, cites
relevant organizations, and identifies several plausible candidates.