A Personal Interview With Dave Skinner

Webmaster: Why do you enjoy what you do?
Mr. Skinner: Please call me Dave. I provide a very valuable service to businesses. I also know that commerce would literally come to a stand still if customers out of state or below a stated amount stopped paying. In this regard, commercial collections is a very necessary service. I enjoy being a part of the process. If my efforts keep one company in business or prevent one job from being terminated, then I know I've done a good days work.

Webmaster: Of all the areas of law, why did you choose collections?
Mr. Skinner: When becoming a lawyer I spent my first year preparing for one trial on behalf of a large insurance company. I realized that at that rate I'd be spending a lot of time behind a desk instead of in a courtroom. Upon handling my first collection case I went to trial within a matter of weeks. Upon obtaining judgment I immediately caused a levy to occur on a bank account. What a rush. Fifteen years and many trials later I still get the rush.


Webmaster: What's the worst part of doing collections?
Mr. Skinner: That's easy. Its when dealing with debtors that have no conscience about lying, stealing, or otherwise filing bankruptcy. These people don't care at all about the damage they've caused to their creditors. Some repeat debtor's believe that stiffing a creditor is a legitimate way of doing business.


Webmaster: You knew I was going to ask, what is the best part of doing collections?
Mr. Skinner: That's easy too. Doing a good job for an appreciative agency. I have a running shirt which is printed on the front with "Why do I run?" The back of the shirt answers "For the glory." My staff knows that we will probably never be famous. However, we also know that at the end of the day or week that we have done a good job and somewhere, someplace someone sincerely appreciates our efforts.

Webmaster: How important are relationships?
Mr. Skinner: Our relationships with agencies is what drives our firm. Although we always treat everyone with respect, we try to be personable with the agencies. Besides being the primary source for claims we have an easier time working a file if we know the agency contact or don't have any reservations calling an agency to discuss a file. We clearly can handle a file better when we can discuss issues with the agency. Obviously, the agency has accepted the role of being the sole contact with the client. Law firms should greatly benefit from the arrangement so as not to have to deal with hundreds of different contacts.. The practice of law is often an exact science where the entire case often turns upon one invoice or letter or details of one phone call. Clearly the lines of communication must be open which can more certainly be done by having a close working, mutually respectful relationship with the agency.

Webmaster: We've heard a lot about your running adventures, when's the trip to Boston?
Mr. Skinner: Good question. I've got quite a bit of work to do. As you may be aware, Boston requires that you have run a previous race within a qualifying time. For my age bracket I need to run 26.2 miles in 3 hours and 20 minutes. My best to date was a recent 3 hours and 42 minutes on a slightly hilly course in Los Angeles 1999. I'll have a better idea after my next race in June on a very flat course in Newport, Oregon.