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(D.E. 357) Deposition Frederick S. Snow, First American Bank General Counsel & EVP - "Inspections & Appraisals"
(D.E. 357) Deposition Frederick S. Snow, First American Bank General Counsel & EVP - "Inspections & Appraisals"
DIVISION AH
Plaintiff,
V.
LAURENCE S. SCHNEIDER,
STEPHANIE L. SCHNEIDER, et al.,
____________
Defendants.
____,;/
Transcript of Frederic Snow into evidence, and the Court admits said portions into
FILED: PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL, SHARON R. BOCK, CLERK, 06/17/2019 10:39:34 AM
Respectfully submitted,
Florida tJ·
John W. Keller, II
229989
6111 Broken S Qr.id Pa kway, N.W., #200, Boca Raton, FL 33487; and GEOFFREY M.
CAHEN, E8Cl. (ge,off@cahenlaw.com), Cahen Law, P.A., 1900 Glades Road, Suite 270,
Boca · ~r 33431 via the E-filing Portal on this 17th day of June, 2019.
~
FIRST AMERICAN BANK, as
Successor by merger to Bank of
Coral Gables, LLC,
vs.
Plaintiff,
~~
&
LAURENCE S. SCHNEIDER,
STEPHANIE L. SCHNEIDER, et. al, v
....
Defendants. ~
------------------------- ~ - -----------/
OF
ICK M. SNOW
~~ i 19
~o 190 0 N.W. Corporate Boulevard
~ gy 3 Page 5
1 INDEX OF PROCEEDIN
~ Y 1 Q. What's your title with the bank?
2 Deposition of FREDERICK M. SNOW: PAGE
2 A. Executive vice president and general counsel.
3
C cecc e,o•ceaccoe o, ec. ( ~ 0 3 Q. How long have you held the general counsel
4 position?
5
5 A. The entire time.
6 Certificate of Oath 33
6 Q. And the executive vice president, as well?
Certificate of Reporter 34
7 Witness Notification 35
7 A. Well, when I started I was a senior vice
Errata Sheet 36
8 president, and then I was promoted executive vice
8 9 president probably ten years ago.
9 10 Q. Okay. What are your job duties as the, I
10 DEFENDANTS' EXHIBITS 11 guess, executive vice president? And then we'll ask
PAGE 12 about general counsel.
Invoice payments 22 13 A. Yes. For the bank and its holding company, I
14 am the -- I manage the legal and compliance functions.
15 Q. Okay. What's your professional address? Where
15
16 is your office?
16
17 A. 1650 Louis Avenue, Elk Grove Village, Illinois.
17
18 Q. And at what point did you become involved with
18
19
19 this collections matter?
20
20 A. I'd say approximately two years, two to three
21 21 years ago.
22 22 Q. Okay. And would that have been after suit was
23 23 filed or leading up to the suit?
24 24 A. I believe it was before the lawsuit was filed.
25 25 Q. Okay.
Page 9
1 in Palm Beach County for pursuing this c~l ec ions 1 That's what I meant. There are certainly some that are
2 matter? 2 corrrnercial.
3 A. No. 3 Q. Okay.
4 The loan was made · am1 a ounty. That's 4 (Mr. Schneider entered the room.)
5 where the bank is located. 5 MR. KELLER: Let the record reflect that the
6 Q. for 6 defendant, Mr. Schneider, has arrived, please.
7 7 MR. WYMAN: This is Laurence Schneider.
8 County? 8 THE WITNESS: Good morning.
A. , . 9 MR. WYMAN: Good morning, Larry.
10 Q. (Ila e ~ at all engaged counsel in Palm Beach 10 BY MR. WYMAN:
11 Cou1 y-;;f o coll)-c-t'ions purposes in the last three years? 11 Q. Other than the fact that this was not an
12 \ ~ ~g. It's possible that there's a firm that 12 owner-occupied residence, was there anything else you
13 ~ 've sedf that is in -- Fort Lauderdale might have an 13 considered to be unusual or unique about this loan prior
~1~ 0ffic.i;.It's possible. I just don't know. 14 to the collections process starting?
15 y Q. Understood. 15 A. No.
16 A. I work a lot in Southern Wisconsin and Northern 16 Q. Okay.
17 Illinois, and when I -- as my practice, we travel to 17 A. There's one aspect that is different in the --
18 various counties. Very seldom do I look at counsel just 18 not different from other properties in Florida. But in
19 because they happen to be next to the courthouse. 19 Florida, there is an aspect that the homes and buildings,
20 Q. Okay. From your perspective, was there 20 it's important that they be air-conditioned, or you have
21 anything unique or unusual about this loan or the 21 mold problems. And in Illinois and Wisconsin, we
22 collections file prior to the lawsuit being filed? 22 typically don't see that.
23 A. Yes. 23 That would be the only thing I can think of
24 Q. And what would that have been? 24 where the collateral would be different.
25 A. It was commercial property because it was 25 Q. Okay. So how is that pertinent to this
Page 13
1 A. Well, that was the purpose, to 1 correct?
2 were actually two purposes. One is.Apreserve ttie A. Yes.
3 collateral. And as I understand,l!. ~t;qhe en ,that was Q. Do you know if they -- were inspections done?
4 being charged was in excess of4he1 ost maintain the Do you know how many or how frequently?
5 property and the interest om the loj , so that part of A. No, I can't tell you how frequently.
6 the rent could have been use~ y down principal. I have a lot on my plate, so things come --
7 Q. Fair enough. Just what you remember.
8 and reducing the pri the loan. A. And I hear that the property was inspected.
9 Q. Oka~ So - was a motion that had been I know that there was one issue because it was
10 filed rel~ n ~ the rent payments to have them a gated community, so there had to be some coordination.
11 to rM~ ank, separate from the appointment of I was aware of that.
12 ; ·s that your understanding? Q. Okay. And were there appraisals of the
13 o. property done, as well, during the course of the
;-1 kay. Are you aware that the bank obtained an 14 litigation?
15 r -er to receive the rent payments? 15 A. I don't know. I don't recall one.
16 A. Yes. 16 Q. Okay. So from the bank's perspective, they
17 Q. Okay. 17 considered this a commercial loan.
18 A. That was -- we had, as I recall, filed a motion 18 A. Yes.
19 for receiver, and the judge gave us the assignment of the 19 Q. And the loan amount was a million and a half,
20 rents and the right to inspect, which was acceptable to 20 correct, ultimately?
21 the bank -- 21 A. That would be an approximate.
22 Q. But otherwise -- 22 Q. Approximate. Okay.
23 A. -- at that point in time. 23 A. It could be above or below that.
24 Q. Okay. But it otherwise denied the motion for 24 Q. Is that considered a large loan, by First
25 the receiver twice. 25 American Bank's standards?
Page 17
1 residential loan officer? Is he a l n ,· fi r Q. Okay. So does he also oversee commercial real
2 fair? 2 estate loans?
3 A. Yes. Yes. 3 A. No. That is another banker.
4 And the reason is, 4 Q. Okay.
5 one-four-unit residence. 5 A. We're a very flat organization. We don't have
6 Q. Sure. So the comme dential 6 a lot of levels of management. And I would say the
7 distinction is a li~ blurry in this instance? 7 senior managers of the bank are probably about eight
8 A. Yes, a litt~ bi t 8 people. And we communicate almost daily with each other
9 Q. Oka . Who i yBrian Hagen (phonetic), if you 9 on various things.
10 10 Q. Okay.
11 11 A. Yeah.
12 . o is that? 12 Q. Understanding that he oversees residential real
13 rian Hagen runs our commercial banking 13 estate, is it unusual, though, that he would actually get
~1 1v1s_;i,on in Coral Gables. 14 on the phone and be involved in phone calls with counsel
15 Q. Who was responsible for overseeing this loan? 15 on the ground, so to speak, as opposed to just receiving
16 Was it Mr. Smith? 16 reports and having people that work for him report up to
17 A. As I recall, it was Brian Hagen. And then, I 17 him?
18 believe, Brian asked Mr. Smith to oversee it. 18 A. No, it's not unusual.
19 Q. Okay. So Mr. Hagen, was he a manager of 19 He certainly knows Mr. Keller. And he's a
20 Mr. Smith's? 20 great guy to work for because he's always looking to take
21 A. No, not a direct manager. He would be more 21 work off my desk instead of the other way around.
22 senior. 22 Q. Right.
23 Q. Okay. 23 A. So he's -- maybe almost surprising for a
24 A. So Brian Hagen, I would say, is a senior 24 chairman, he will perform activities that he might expect
25 commercial banker for the bank. 25 me to do or somebody on my staff to do.
Page 21
A. Well, the terms would be they would bill at
2 because the receiver will cost money 2 their billing rates by the hour, or a fraction of the
3 Q. Of course. 3 hour, for the work that was performed. And then included
4 A. 4 would be if there were any out-of-pocket expenses.
5 beneficial to the bank. In an advantage 5 Q. What's your understanding of what the hourly
6 to the bank not to have a r use you're saving 6 rates were that were being billed to the bank for this
7 that cost. 7 matter?
8 Q. Okay. 8 A. Well, Keller &Bolz has three attorneys. And I
9 understand~ that I ~ ard you correctly. 9 recall that the partners have the same billing rate, and
10 (th~ ~elationship betweenFAB and Keller &Bolz 10 that the associate has a lower billing rate. And they
11 goe~ ac to }co . Is that what I understood? To your 11 have paralegal.
12 kno~ edge. 12 I can't tell you the exact amount. I think
13 o my knowledge it would be approximately 2004, 13 that the partners bill at a rate that would be in the
;-1~ 20.0S: And, actually, now that I think about it, it's 14 mid-$300 per hour.
15 ~ bably more likely to be 2005, because I started with 15 Q. Is that the rate that they bill the bank on
16 the bank -- it was about the time I started with the 16 other collections matters, as well?
17 bank. 17 A. Yes. I believe that their rates have increased
18 Q. Okay. 18 once in the years that I've worked with them. That was
19 A. And that was, as I recall, the end of 2000 -- 19 many years ago. The increase was prior to this matter.
20 it could even be 2006. But 2005, 2006 is probably -- 20 Q. Okay. Upon the increase, that's something they
21 gosh. 21 discussed with you, and you agreed and approved it.
22 Let's see. 22 A. Yes.
23 2005 or 2006. 23 Q. Okay.
24 Q. Okay. 24 MR. WYMAN: John, when I had been e-mailing
25 A. It's about the same time I started with the 25 with Henry, he indicated that a verification page of
Page 25
1 1 Q. Right.
2 BY MR. WYMAN: 2 A. What happened -- Gary is an experienced
3 Q. IfI can show you what " · , or 3 manager. And he gets invoices on matters that he and his
4 identification -- after your eounse at it -- as 4 department are managing, and I generally won't see those.
5 Composite Exhibit 1 to ~he de'-siti . . . 5 Q. "Won't," you said?
6 If you can flip th:r; ugh · is Composite 6 A. Will not see those.
7 7 Q. Okay.
8 documents are. 8 A. And in my -- and some of those will be reviewed
9 A. Oka'r. The d~ ument I'm looking at is a 9 by a lawyer that works for me, or me, but he would be
10 collecti~ of -- I don't know -- let's say 20 pages, and 10 asked. But because of the commercial nature of it, he
11 each are 1-abele , automatic invoice payment notice." 11 asked me to review the bills. So on this case, I
12 ~t '~ y. Are these bank records, records from 12 reviewed the invoices.
13 Q. Okay.
13 "'~ ~
; . ~ i',, , I don't know. 14 A. And Gary would process the payments. And by
15 y Q. So you haven't seen documents like this before? 15 processing thm -- I would review thm and that would be
16 A. No. 16 it, and then he would process thm for payment and it
17 Q. Okay. I'll just represent to you that these 17 would go into the loan systm.
18 were produced to us in the course of this litigation 18 Q. Okay. So part of your review is for approving
19 relating to the issue of attorneys fees. 19 the payment of the invoices; is that correct?
20 A. By the way, they could be from us. 20 A. Yes.
21 Q. Oh, okay. 21 Q. Okay. So you review thm, you approve thm,
22 A. I just don't deal in thm. 22 you tell Gary, "They're okay. Please process the
23 Q. You're not familiar with the form? 23 payments. "
24 A. Not familiar with the form of thm, yeah. 24 A. Yes.
25 Q. Okay. I'll just represent to you they were 25 Q. Okay. At any point during the course of the
Page 29
A. Don Roubitchek is now the retired chief
2 2 financial officer of First American Bank.
3 South Florida compared to I 3 Q. When did he retire?
4 states and Wisconsin. 4 A. About a year ago.
5 commercial collection, 5 Q. At some point during the course of the
6 BY MR. WYMAN: 6 litigation?
Q. 7 A. Yeah, probably.
8 Q. But he had some involvement with certain
9 corrrnunications, phone calls, regarding this case, as
10 usual -- as I recall, there were 10 well, when he was active?
11 , or 14 identifiable counterclaims or 11 A. He could have, but none that I was aware of.
12 efenses, and that's unusual, and the matter 12 Q. Okay. So, again -- and I know that you're sort
appeal. There were aspects of it that would 13 of at the, what you described, as a handful of executives
14 involved in all the operations of the business.
Right. 15 A. Yes.
16 Not as unusual for a corrrnercial collection. 16 Q. Again, is it unusual to have a CEO and a CFO of
17 Q. Okay. In reviewing the invoices and the time 17 the bank involved in a residential foreclosure?
18 being claimed on this matter, I observed that there were 18 MR. KELLER: Asked and answered.
19 approximately 93 hours put into this file from the poin~ 19 MR. WYMAN: I didn't ask about the CFO until
20 it went to Keller &Bolz as a collection matter to the 20 just now.
@ day the complaint was filed . 21 THE WITNESS: Well, it would not be unheard of.
22 Do you consider that to be excessive? 22 It wouldn't be common, put it that way.
23 A. No. It all depends on what was involved. 23 BY MR. WYMAN:
24 Q. By that point in time, there's been -- 24 Q. Okay. And just to jump around a bit.
25 certainly before the complaint is filed, there's been no 25 A. Yeah.
Page 33
1 instead of phone calls. 1 CERTIFICATE OF OATH
2
2 A. Yes.
3 STATE OF FLORIDA
3 Q. And, again, I had asked Q
4 COUNTY OF PALM BEACH
4 is usual for residential fo r
5
5 MR. KELLER: Obje ·.
6 I, Lucy M. Lupo, Registered Professional Reporter,
6 THE WITNESS: It be unusual, if I'm
7 Florida Professional Reporter, Notary Public, State of
7 involved in th~ e, to have that many 8 Florida, certify that FREDERICK M. SNOW personally
8 communications ove th time period that we're 9 appeared before me on the 19th day of March, 2019, and
9 talking~ ut. S~ 'd say no, it's not unusual. 10 was duly sworn.
10 ~ WYMAN: Okay. I don't have any other 11 Signed this 21st day of March, 2019.
12
11
13
C"°''·
, . KELLER: No questions.
But I stand corrected. I was given these to
12
13
14
15
;-1~ erve them to you.
15 y MR. WYMAN: Oh, okay. 16
17
16 MR. KELLER: Meaning, I'm giving Attorney Wyman
18
17 the notice of service of answers to interrogatories
19
18 with a good color copy of the signature page.
20
19 MR. WYMAN: Fair enough. Thank you. 21
20 MR. KELLER: Sorry. Lucy M. Lupo, RPR, FPR
21 MR. WYMAN: That's all right. 22 Notary Public - State of Florida
22 THE COURT REPORTER: Counsel, are you ordering Commission No.: FF 930750
23 at this time? 23 Commission Expires: November 14, 2019
18 17
18
19 Dated this 21st day of March, 2019.
19
20
20
21
21
22
er p na 1es of perjury, I declare that I have read
oing document and that the facts stated in it
23 LUCY M. LUPO, RPR, FPR
Registered Professional Reporter
1 WITNESS
2
3 March 21, 2019
4
5 FREDERICK M. SNOW
c/o JOHN W. KELLER, III, E
6 KELLER & BOLZ, LLP
121 Majorca Avenue
Suite 200
Coral Gables, Flor~d~ 4 .
8
9 IN RE: First Ameri ~ vs. Schneider
Dep , i ion : + a~ n March 19, 2019
10 U . Legal Support Job t 1894379
11
12 Th ~ ~ script yf the above proceeding is now available
fo your y iew.
13 AP~ eas ~
.
to schedule an appointment between the hours
~ ~ 0 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at a
egal Support office located nearest you.
5
ease complete your review within a reasonable time.
16
17 Sincerely,
18 Lucy M. Lupo, RPR, FPR
U.S. Legal Support, Inc.
19 444 West Railroad Avenue, Suite 300
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
20 (561) 835-0220
21
CC via transcript:
22 ANDREW WYMAN, ESQ.
JOHN W. KELLER, III, ESQ.
23
24
25
~~ :t
8
6,
18:12 19:10
20:8,14,18,21
21:8 22:3,8,
incident
20:15
included 21:3
invoices
24: 4, 9, 11, 12,
&
2 , 2~
, J 2,13
3: ,4 24:6,16,
12,14,18,20
24:4 26:24
27:20 29:18
including 20,21 25:3, 25:10,16
12,19 27:17 30:2,6 31:5,
16:22 ' 6:4,5 27:5, 12,16,20,25
increase involved 5 :r ,13,20,23 key 12:14
21:19,20 6:3,9 ~ 6- 2, . 28:24 29:16,
16, 23, ~~ know 7:14
increased 21,22 31:6
17:1 4~ ~ 10:15 12:21
21:17 32:2
_ 2 9)J: 4"r;[?/_31: 7 13:3,4,9,15
indicated it's 7:12,14 15:10 16:4
21:25 1.n~0lvement 8:1,6,7,9,21,
2~
23:7,10,14
industry 8:6 22,23 9:20 27:1 28:23
4:19,24 10:2 12:19,21
informal 18:7 29:12
.16 6:4,20 16:19 17:18
information 7:5,13 8:4, knowledge
10:11,17 18:7,14,16,
11,12,15,19 19:12,13
17,19,25
infre 9:7,17,19,25 known 8:6
19:4,5,14,25
8:1 11:2,12 knows 17:19
22:9 27:10
ini 12:15,16,17 30:25 31:9
ini 13:24 14:14, its 5:13 L
24: 15 15:1,4,7,
inspect 11:20 9,12,24 labeled 23:11
12:3,21 19:1 16:15,19 J
large 4:4
inspected 17:3,13 18:1, 13:24 27:2
9,14,21,22 Jergenson
13:8 larger 14:5
19:11,20 16:4
inspections Larry 9:9
12:25 13:3 20:7,10,11, job 5:10
18,23 21:15 John 21:24 last 7:11
instance 15:7 30:7,13
22:12 23:9