Cary L. Flitter
Cary Flitter is a highly respected expert in consumer law. Many of his cases have broken new ground, helping to shape the law itself and set the precedent for future decisions. Media outlets ranging from Time magazine to FOX News to the Philadelphia Inquirer have sought Cary’s legal input.
Cary is founding partner in Flitter Milz P.C., and a member of the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York bars. He has more than 30 years of trial and appellate experience in federal and state courts in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and in courts throughout the United States.
Cary used to represent lenders, mortgage companies and banks. But no more. For three decades, Cary has built his practice around litigating cases on behalf of consumers against debt collectors, banks and finance companies, insurance companies, car dealers and credit reporting agencies. He represents clients as individuals and in class actions, in consumer lending, unfair debt collection, vehicle financing and leasing overcharges, credit reporting, credit privacy, product warranty, identity theft, and other consumer cases.
Cary and the firm have brought dozens of consumer class actions against banks and credit unions challenging their vehicle repossession practices. Some of these cases have made new law, or extended existing law, in a positive way for borrowers who have suffered a repossession in many of the 50 states. Over $100 million in relief has been recovered for clients.A Philadelphia native and graduate from Philadelphia’s distinguished Central High School (231), Mr. Flitter received his bachelor’s degree in Finance from Philadelphia University and his law degree from the Delaware Law School of Widener University. He is a graduate of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy and the renowned Trial Lawyers College.
Currently, Cary has served on the adjunct faculty at Temple University Beasley School of Law and Widener University-Delaware Law School where he teaches Consumer Law & Litigation, including class action practice. From 1991 to 1999, he served on the adjunct faculty at Philadelphia University’s School of Business, teaching Commercial Law. Cary has accepted invitations to guest lecture on consumer law issues at Harvard Law School, University of Pennsylvania School of Law, and the University of Maryland Law School, and many other venues.
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania invited Cary to update all 640 Magisterial District Judges on developments with consumer credit lawsuits and repossessions. Cary presented the course, "Collection Cases: Primer on Proofs, the Debt-Buying Industry, Consumer Defenses & Regulations of Debt Collectors", over 13 sessions to all the Magisterial District Judges in Pennsylvania.
Cary has been invited by the Federal Trade Commission to participate in its fact-gathering, and presented the consumers' interests in regulation of debt collectors. Cary has presented consumer law topics for the Practicing Law Institute, a non-profit learning organization dedicated to keeping attorneys and other professionals at the forefront of knowledge and expertise.
Cary is a contributing author to Pennsylvania Consumer Law, the leading legal treatise in Pennsylvania on consumer law issues, and Consumer Class Actions published by the National Consumer Law Center in Boston. He has also published articles in national, regional and local publications, and presented continuing education programs on consumer credit protection for lawyer and lay audiences.
Cary is a member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA), an organization that works towards protecting the rights of consumers, particularly those of modest means. He was named Consumer Advocate of the Year by NACA in 2014.
Cary has served on the Board of Directors of Pennsylvania's Montgomery Bar Association, and has co-chaired the Bar Association’s Federal Courts Committee regularly since 2000.
Education
Trial Lawyers College, 2009
National Institute for Trial Advocacy
Trial Skills and Methods - University of Pennsylvania, 1986
Federal and State Court Motion Practice - University of Denver, 1990
Widener University-Delaware Law School - JD, 1981
Philadelphia University - BS Finance, 1976
Recipient, 1997 Hughes Award for the Advancement of Scholarship
President, Alumni Board 1990-92
Member, College Board of Trustees, 1990-92
Publications
REPOSSESSIONS, (10th ed. 2022)
National Consumer Law Center, Boston, MA Contributor
This is the leading legal reference on consumer repossession issues in the U.S.
Pennsylvania Consumer Law
Bisel Publishing Co., 2d ed. Supp. (2021)
Bisel Publishing Co., 2003 Supp. 2019. Contributing Author
The leading legal treatise in Pennsylvania on consumer law issues.
Consumer Class Actions, 5th Ed.
National Consumer Law Center, Boston, MA Contributor
Bar Admissions
Pennsylvania Bar
New Jersey Bar
New York Bar
Awards and Honors
Equal Justice Award - 2022
Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
Fête 4 Justice Award - 2022
Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania
Cary Flitter was honored for his continued support of Legal Aid and their mission to provide free civil legal aid to consumers in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties in Pennsylvania.
President's Award, 2017
Montgomery Bar Association
The Montgomery Bar Association presented Cary with the 2017 President's Award for his efforts in furthering justice.
Super Lawyers, 2005 - Present; 2023 Top 100 Super Lawyers Honoree
Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. This selection process includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations.
View Cary Flitter's Super Lawyer's Profile
Consumer Advocate of the Year, 2014
National Association of Consumer Advocates
Cary was honored for making special contributions to advancing the practice of consumer law. The National Association of Consumer Advocates is a nonprofit association of more than 1,500 attorneys and advocates committed to representing consumers' interests.
Read more about the Consumer Advocate of the Year Award
Henry Stuckert Miller Public Service Award, 2013
Montgomery Bar Association
The Montgomery Bar Association recognized Cary for his work in training Legal Aid Lawyers and county staffers in the specialized area of consumer protection law and for his generous support of Legal Services.
Excellence Award, 2013
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network
PLAN is an organization that provides support to improve the availability and quality of civil legal aid and direct legal services for low income people and victims of domestic violence in Pennsylvania. The Excellence Award recognizes those who support the Pennsylvania legal aid societies and their clients served by the civil legal programs that comprise the PLAN.
Cary L. Flitter PLAN Excellence Award 2013 Recipient
Alumnus of the Year, 2011
Widener University-Delaware Law School
Cary was honored to receive the Alumnus of the Year award from Widener University-Delaware Law School. This award is presented to an alumnus who - through service to community or profession or by honors received, service rendered, or other accomplishments - has brought honor, recognition, and distinction to the law school.
Pro Bono Award, 2011
Pennsylvania Bar Association
Cary Flitter received this distinguished honor for special voluntary efforts in providing free legal representation to low-income Pennsylvanians. He presented Continuing Legal Education to legal aid attorneys around the state about consumer law issues and statutory attorney fees.
PA ProBono.net, November 29, 2011
Jeffrey A. Ernico Award, 2006
Pennsylvania Bar Association
Cary Flitter received the annual award honoring an individual who has made significant improvements in providing legal services to the poor. He provided pro bono education to fellow lawyers and law students that serve the less fortunate.
Read more about the Jeffrey A. Ernico Award
Outstanding Service Award, 1998
Widener University-Delaware Law School
Cary Flitter received the annual award presented to alumni for outstanding service to the Law School and legal community.
View the list of Outstanding Service Award recipients
AVVO
Cary has a score of ten out of ten.
See Cary Flitter's Avvo profile
Martindale
Preeminent 5 out of 5 rated.
See Cary Flitter's profile on Martindale
Academic Guest Lectures in Consumer Law
Harvard Law School, 2007
Cambridge, MA
University of Pennsylvania School of Law, 2011
Philadelphia, PA
University of Maryland, Francis King Carey School of Law, 2011
Baltimore, MD
University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law, 2009
Salt Lake City, UT
Gonzaga University School of Law, 2010 - 2011
Spokane, WA
University of Houston Center for Consumer Law, 2008
Houston, TX
Universidad del Salvador, 2008
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Teaching Appointments
Temple University Beasley School of Law, 2009 - 2015
Adjunct Professor, Consumer Law and Litigation
Widener University - Delaware Law School, 1999 - Present
Adjunct Professor, Consumer Law and Litigation
Philadelphia University School of Business, 1991 - 1998
Adjunct Professor, Commercial Law
Presentations
Cary Flitter speaks to lawyers, judges and law students around the U.S. on a variety of consumer law topics that involve the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Telephone Consumer Protection Act, Consumer Repossession Laws, federal civil and appellate procedure, class action practice, and issues confronted by the consumer protection law practitioner.
2020
Consumer Law
National Association of Consumer Advocates - Spring Training
How to Keep the Lights On, Cary Flitter, Esq. & Larry Smith, Esq.
Webinar
2019
Consumer Law
Best Practices in Pretrial Litigation in the Federal Courts: A View from the Bench
Alternative Dispute Resolutions
Hon. Mark A. Kearney, Magistrate Judge Richard A. Lloret, Cary L. Flitter, Esq.
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network
Repossessions & Attorneys' Fees
Harrisburg, PA
2018
Consumer Law
Pennsylvania Judicial College
Invited by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania to present on debtor-creditor developments, including auto repossession, over 13 sessions to Pennsylvania's 640 Magisterial District Justices.
Harrisburg, PA
Tips on Third Circuit Practice
Co-Presenter with Hon. Stephanos Bibas & Hon. L. Felipe Restrepo
Montgomery Bar Association, Norristown, PA
Consumer Law from the Trenches
University of Houston Center for Consumer Law, Santa Fe, NM
Debt Collection
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Developments
Montgomery Bar Association, Norristown, PA
Consumer Law Developments Under the FDCPA and Pa. Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law
Mid-Penn Legal Services, Harrisburg, PA
2017
Repossession
Successfully Litigating Auto Cases Under the Consumer Leasing Act
National Consumer Law Center Annual Conference, Washington, DC
Consumer Law
Overview of State and Federal Restraints on Debt Collection
Practicing Law Institute, San Francisco, CA
2016
Consumer Law
Recovering Statutory Attorneys Fees
National Consumer Law Center, Anaheim, CA
Consumer Law Training
Montgomery Bar Association, Norristown, PA
Appellate Advocacy in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals,
Hon. Cheryl Krause and Hon. Marcia Waldron
Montgomery Bar Association, Norristown, PA
Doing Well While Doing Good: A Practice Makeover
National Consumer Law Center, FDCPA Conference, Miami, FL
2015
Consumer Law
Consumer Law Training
Montgomery Bar Association, Norristown, PA
How to Build a Successful Consumer Law Practice
National Consumer Law Center, San Antonio, TX
Debt Collection
Fair Debt Developments in Federal Courts of Appeal
National Consumer Law Center, FDCPA Conference, Washington, DC
Repossession
Police Liability and Breach of Peace in Vehicle Repossessions
National Consumer Law Center, San Antonio, TX
2014
Consumer Law
Consumer Law Claims in Bankruptcy
Eastern District Bankruptcy Conference, Philadelphia, PA
View from the Trenches, Symposium for Professors of Consumer Law
University of Houston Center for Consumer Law, Santa Fe, NM
Consumer Law for the Bankruptcy Practitioner
Berks County Bankruptcy Committee, Reading, PA
Consumer Protection Litigation for the Bankruptcy Petitioner
PBI 19th Annual Bankruptcy Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Consumer Law for the Pro Bono Practitioner
Berks County Bar Association, Reading, PA
Statutory Attorney Fees
Berks County Bar Association, Reading, PA
Consumer Law for the Legal Aid Lawyer
Southern Maine Community College, Portland, ME
Statutory Attorney Fees
Southern Maine Community College, Portland, ME
Debt Collection
Credit Reporting, Debt Collection & Repossession-Identifying Claims
Lycoming Law Association, Williamsport, PA
Fair Credit Reporting and Fair Debt Collection Update
Bucks County Bar Association, Doylestown, PA
2013
Class Action
Communication with your Class Representative
National Association of Consumer Advocates, Washington, DC
Credit Reporting
Fair Credit Reporting Act Basics
Burlington County Bar Association, Mt. Holly, NJ
Debt Collection
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: Ask the Experts
National Consumer Law Center, FDCPA Conference, Baltimore, MD
Consumer Debt Collection Perspectives
National Association of Retail Collection Attorneys Annual Conference
Anatomy of a Debt Buyer Case
University of Maryland, Francis King Carey School of Law, Baltimore, MD
Collection of Judgments and Consumer Law Pitfalls
Montgomery Bar Association, Norristown, PA
TCPA
Litigating the TCPA in 2014: Consumer & Defense Perspectives
ABA: Consumer Financial Services Committee, Park City, UT
2012
Consumer Law
Successful Mediation of Federal Court Cases
Montgomery Bar Association, Federal Courts Committee, Norristown, PA
Consumer Law Practice Pointers
National Consumer Law Center Annual Conference, Seattle, WA
Debt Collection
FDCPA: The Impact on Collection Attorneys
ABA, Business Law Section: Consumer Financial Services Committee,
Las Vegas, NV
Consumer Law Update: An Active 12 Months
Montgomery Bar Association: Debtor, Creditor, Bankruptcy Section,
Norristown, PA
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: Ask the Experts
National Consumer Law Center: FDCPA Conference, New Orleans, LA
2011
Consumer Law
Consumer Credit Law Update
Montgomery Bar Association, Norristown, PA
Consumer Law Developments for Pro Bono Counsel
Berks County Bar Association, Reading, PA
Training Legal Aid to Spot Consumer Law Violations
Neighborhood Legal Services, Pittsburgh, PA
Northwest Legal Services, Erie, PA
Advocating for Justice on Consumer Matters
University of Pennsylvania Law School, Philadelphia, PA
Debt Collection
Anatomy of a Debt Buyer Case
University of Maryland, Francis King Carey School of Law,
Baltimore, MD
Debt Collection 2.0: Protecting Consumers as Technologies Change
Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC
What your Collectors and Law Firms Do Can Hurt You
ALI-ABA, Webinar
Holding Abusive Debt Collectors Accountable
National Consumer Law Center Annual Conference, Chicago, IL
TCPA
Telephone Technologies: Dialing, Talking & Texting in an
Age of Enhanced Mobility
Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC
2010
Consumer Law
Consumer Credit Law Developments - Federal & Pennsylvania
Montgomery Bar Association, Norristown, PA
FDCPA & FCRA: Understanding Consumer Laws
Gonzaga University School of Law, Spokane, WA
Consumer Law Strategies for the Legal Aid Advisor
Community Legal Services, Philadelphia, PA
Mid-Penn Legal Services, Harrisburg, PA
Neighborhood Legal Services, Pittsburgh, PA
Debt Collection
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: Ask the Experts
National Consumer Law Center, Jacksonville, FL
Federal Courts
An Afternoon with our Federal Bench
Montgomery Bar Association, Federal Courts Committee, Norristown, PA
2009
Class Action
Ethical Issues in Consumer Class Action Practice
National Consumer Law Center: FDCPA Conference, San Diego, CA
Ethical Issues in Class Counsel Fees
National Consumer Law Center Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA
Consumer Law Statutory Attorney Fees
University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law, Salt Lake City, UT
Credit Reporting
Impermissible Access to Consumer Credit Reports
National Association of Consumer Advocates, Chicago, IL
Debt Collection
Consumer Debt Litigation
Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Simulcast
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: Ask the Experts
National Consumer Law Center Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA
Workshop on Debt Collection: Protecting Consumers
Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC
Federal Courts
Federal Court Update
Montgomery Bar Association, Norristown, PA
2008
Consumer Law
Doing Well While Doing Good: What Makes a Successful &
Fulfilling Consumer Law Practice
National Consumer Law Center Annual Conference, Portland, OR
Teaching Consumer Law
University of Houston Center for Consumer Law, Houston, TX
Comparative U.S. Consumer Protection Laws
Universidad del Salvador, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Debt Collection
FDCPA Developments: Point-Counterpoint
Debt Buyers Annual Conference, Las Vegas, NV
Federal Courts
Effective Appellate Advocacy in the 3d Circuit Court of Appeals
Montgomery Bar Association, Federal Courts Committee, Norristown, PA
2007
Consumer Law
Statutory Attorney Fees
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Credit Reporting
Permissible Uses of Consumer Credit Reports
National Association of Consumer Advocates, FCRA Conference, Denver, CO
Debt Collection
Consumer Credit Litigation Developments
Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Allentown, PA
FDCPA Developments: Ask the Experts
National Association of Consumer Advocates, FDCPA Conference, Tucson, AZ
Workshop on Debt Collection – The Role of Creditors
Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC
Identity Theft Civil Remedies for Identity Theft
Widener University-Delaware Law School, Wilmington, DE
2006
Credit Reporting
Impermissible Access to Consumer Credit Reports
National Association of Consumer Advocates, FCRA Conference, Las Vegas, NV
Debt Collection
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Developments: Ask the Experts
National Association of Consumer Advocates, FDCPA Conference, Austin, TX
FDCPA after Brown v. Card Service Center: What is Deceptive?
Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Webinar
