Photo of Jeana R. Laguna

Jeana R. Laguna Member

Areas of Practice

Industries

Bar Admissions

  • Texas

Education

Texas Tech University School of Law, J.D., summa cum laude, 2010

The University of Texas at San Antonio, B.A., summa cum laude, 2001

Jeana Laguna primarily represents banks and financial institutions in general collection matters including foreclosures, evictions, and probate collections, in lawsuits against borrowers and guarantors in courts throughout the state and in arbitration, in defensive lawsuits throughout the state, and in bankruptcy cases, including contested matters and adversary proceedings. Recognizing the importance of client education, Ms. Laguna regularly hosts CLE and educational seminars for clients and potential clients covering a wide range of topics, including debt collection, demand and foreclosure issues, debt workouts, general collection litigation, collections in probate, and bankruptcy for lenders.

Experience

  • Obtained summary judgment in Hidalgo County for a national bank against a borrower and eleven guarantors on eleven separate notes, totaling over eleven million dollars.

  • Obtained several take-nothing summary judgments for financial institutions in lawsuits alleging breach of contract, misrepresentation, conversion, negligence, violations if the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty.

  • Obtained entry of order on a motion for new trial after denial of motion for summary judgment denying lender’s cause of action for judicial foreclosure.

  • Obtained verdict for state bank after bench trial on commercial note and secured a take-nothing judgment for the bank on counterclaim for breach of contract and fraud.

  • Successfully obtained orders compelling arbitration of disputes subject to arbitration provisions.

  • Successfully obtained orders dissolving temporary restraining orders and permitting lender foreclosure. Defended several financial institutions at injunction hearings and obtained injunctions preventing borrowers from enjoining foreclosure sales.

  • Negotiated cash collateral orders, sales of property in bankruptcy cases, obtained relief from the automatic stay, and dismissal of bankruptcy cases.

  • Obtained orders for judicial foreclosure allowing creditor to proceed with foreclosure sale of property.

  • Represents financial institutions as defendants in lawsuits filed by taxing authorities.

  • Represents financial institutions regarding subpoenas, receiverships, garnishments, and levies.

  • Represent financial institutions in forbearance agreements, modification of loans, and representation after foreclosure sales in leasing, extension agreements, eviction actions, and sale of OREO properties.

  • Obtained dismissal of lawsuit in the Southern District of Texas, McAllen Division, against client on federal and state wiretapping causes of action.

  • Debt Collection Practices Act, Magic Valley Chapter of Credit Unions
    January 30, 2020
  • Three Little Pigs File Bankruptcy, Speaker, State Bar Paralegal Division
    2016
  • Bankruptcy for Non-Bankruptcy Lawyers, Co-Author and Speaker, State Bar CLE "Soaking Up Some CLE"
    May 2015
  • "Time-Barred Debt Claims Dependent on Jurisdiction: Crawford’s Finding that Filing a Stale Proof of Claim Violates the FDCPA Faces Challenges"
    November 28, 2015
    Metropolitan Corporate Counsel
  • "The Sixth Circuit Holds a Limited Liability Company is a Person under the FDCPA"
    November 2015
    ABA LLC and Partnership Reporter

Memberships & Involvement

  • Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley, President of the Board of Directors
  • Hidalgo County Women’s Bar Association
  • Hidalgo County Bar Association
  • Independent Bankers Association of Texas
  • Texas Association of Bank Counsel
  • State Bar CLE Planning Committee for 2016: "Soaking Up Some CLE"
  • Recognized in Texas Super Lawyers® as a Rising Star for Creditor Debtor Rights: Business, Bankruptcy: Business, 2020
  • Order of the Coif
  • Phi Kappa Phi