EDUCATION
J.D., Hastings College of Law – University of California, 1982
B.A., Boston University, 1978
ASSOCIATIONS/AFFILIATIONS
Conferee, National Bankruptcy Conference
Fellow, American College of Bankruptcy
Vice-President, National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys
Member, Board of Editors, Collier on Bankruptcy
Member, Board of Directors, National Consumer Bankruptcy Rights Center
Member, Judicial Conference Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules (2006 to 2012)
Member, Board of Directors, American Bankruptcy Institute (2006-2008)
AUTHORSHIPS
Contributing Author, Collier on Bankruptcy and Collier Bankruptcy Practice Guide
Editor, Consumer Bankruptcy Law and Practice, NCLC Consumer Credit and Legal Practice Series (10th Ed. 2012)
Co-Author, Foreclosures: Defenses, Workouts, and Mortgage Servicing, NCLC Consumer Credit and Legal Practice Series (4th Ed. 2012)
Co-Author, Bankruptcy Basics, NCLC Consumer Credit and Legal Practice Series (2d Ed. 2013)
Author, “Impact of Marrama on Case Conversions: Addressing the Unanswered Questions,” American Bankruptcy Institute Law Review, Vol. 15, No. 2, Winter 2007; “Testing the Limits of Statutory Construction Doctrines: Deconstructing the 2005 Bankruptcy Act,” American University Law Review, Vol. 55, No. 5, 2006 Author, “Bankruptcy Courts Respond To Foreclosure Crisis With Loss-Mitigation Programs,” American Bankruptcy Institute Journal, Vol. XXX, No. 14, Mar. 2011; “‘Proof of Claim’ and Bankruptcy Fees: Are They Really Attorneys’ Fees?,” American Bankruptcy Institute Journal, Vol. XXIX, No. 12, Mar. 2010; “Servicing of Home Mortgages in Bankruptcy: When Worlds Need Not Collide,” American Bankruptcy Institute Journal, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, Feb. 2009; Nat’l Consumer Law Ctr., “Foreclosing a Dream: State Laws Deprive Homeowners of Basic Protections,” 11 (Feb. 2009); “A Fresh Look at Curing Mortgage Defaults in Chapter 13,” American Bankruptcy Institute Journal, Vol. XXVII, No. 14, Feb. 2008; “Debt Buyers Rewriting of Rule 3001: Taking the ‘Proof’ Out of the Claims Process,” American Bankruptcy Institute Journal, Vol. XXIII, No. 6, July 2004; Co-Author, “The Match Continues: First Circuit Rules On Remedies For Discharge Violations,” American Bankruptcy Institute Journal, Vol. XIX, No. 10, Dec. 2001
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Mr. Rao is an attorney with the National Consumer Law Center and focuses on consumer credit and bankruptcy issues. He has served as a panelist and instructor at numerous trainings and legal education seminars on consumer credit, mortgage lending and servicing, and bankruptcy topics. Mr. Rao has served as an expert witness in court cases and has testified in Congress on consumer matters. He has participated in the Center’s litigation efforts, which have included serving as co-counsel in class action cases involving bankruptcy reaffirmation abuse and mortgage servicing. As a member of the federal Judicial Conference Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules from 2006-2012, Mr. Rao provided a leadership role in the development of bankruptcy rules dealing with the treatment of mortgage claims in chapter 13 cases. He was an adjunct faculty member at Boston College School of Law from 2008 to 2011.
Other professional experience includes serving as the managing attorney of the consumer unit at Rhode Island Legal Services. Mr. Rao’s practice included a broad range of cases dealing with consumer and utility issues, requiring representation of clients before federal, state and bankruptcy courts, and before administrative agencies.