William Peerce Howard

Bio Overview:

Billy Howard was born and raised in Florida. From an early age he has been active in politics, beginning with Bob Graham's campaign for Governor. Mr. Howard founded "Gators for Graham" his second year at the University of Florida, and in his Senior year worked as a Legislative Assistant to then Senator Bob Graham in Washington D.C. While in law school Mr. Howard was approved by the Florida Supreme Court as a Certified Legal Intern and prosecuted numerous cases for the West Palm Beach State Attorney's Office.

Upon graduation from law school, Mr. Howard opened his own practice, focused on consumer protection law, and obtained a million dollar verdict in a complex civil theft trial. He has worked with The Honorable Edward Rodgers, Florida's first African American judge, and the prestigious law firms of: Lytal & Reiter, Cooney Halizter, and Barry Cohen.

In 2004, Mr. Howard joined the law firm of Morgan & Morgan and founded their Consumer Protection Department. He focuses his practice on abusive debt collectors and false credit reporting. His clients throughout the country range from those who have suffered identity theft, to debtors, and in some cases non-debtors, who are the victims of abusive debt collection practices. He has successfully tried and settled numerous "collection harassment" cases.

In 2008, Mr. Howard obtained a punitive damage jury verdict against a national debt collector, one of the few such awards in the country. Mr. Howard has successfully defended the constitutionality of Florida's Consumer Collection Practices Act.

Currently Morgan & Morgan's Consumer Protection Department is one of the nations largest practices dedicated to holding debt collectors, mortgage companies and major banks across the country accountable for their conduct. Mr. Howard has an intense passion for helping people hold debt collectors and banks responsible for their egregious conduct. He is committed to making sure that banks and debt collectors do not get away with their abusive techniques that often devastate families. Mr. Howard's practice is truly only for the people and against companies that put profit over people.

Mr. Howard has been interviewed numerous times by national news stations CNN, Fox, CBS, NBC and 60 Minutes. Inside Edition has featured Mr. Howard on two seprate specials and often consults his expertise on national consumer issues. Mr. Howard and Morgan & Morgan's Consumer Protection Department have been the subject of over one thousand articles including international exposure in the Facebook harassment lawsuit.

In the local Tampa Bay community he is active in Hyde Park United Methodist Church, including teaching youth classes, taking on a leadership role in the greeting ministry and co-founding the very popular ministry known as "Running to Make God's Love Real."

Education: University of Florida (B.A., Economics 1990) Nova Southeastern University (J.D., 1995) Member of: The Florida Bar Middle District of Florida Hillsborough County Bar Florida Justice Association National Association of Consumer Advocates Practice Areas: Debt Collection Harassment Unfair Credit Reporting Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Identity Theft Consumer Fraud Junk Facsimiles Class Actions