Daniel Edward Mueller

We represent individuals and business owners in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, civil litigation, debt settlement, debtor defense, foreclosure defense, mortgage modification, business law, and intellectual property. Our goal is to find the right solution for each client.

In addition, we represent clients in several areas of consumer law, including the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and other federal and state statutes intended to protect consumers from abusive debt collectors, creditors, and scammers.

Our business practice includes business formation, strategic planning, contracts, business debt negotiation, regulatory compliance, trademarks, copyrights, and outside general counsel services.

We represent clients throughout Pennsylvania and Washington DC. (Offices located in Center City in Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill in Philadelphia, and Washington, DC.)*

Not all services are available in all locations.

Bankruptcy

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Debt Relief

Business Law

Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes

Consumer Law

Class Action

Foreclosure Defense

Intellectual Property

Trademarks

Trademark Litigation, Trademark Registration

• Debt Settlement

• Free Consultation
  We offer a free debt consultation to individuals in our geographic practice area. See our website for details.
• Credit Cards Accepted
  We accept most major credit cards. (Bankruptcy clients may pay via debt card.)
• Contingent Fees
  Representation in some non-bankruptcy matters is available on a contingency fee basis.

Pennsylvania

Since 2007

South Carolina

1994-1998

Washington

Since 1996

Senior Partner

Harborstone Law LLP

2006 - Current

The primary focus of this practice is Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, debt negotiation, intellectual property, and business law. (Formerly, Harbrostone Law Group.)

CEO

Flying Dart Productions

2002 - 2006

Documentary film production company producing videos for non-profits and advocacy organizations.

Attorney

Groff Murphy, Lawyers

1999 - 2002

Practice focused on complex commercial litiation.

Principal Attorney

Mueller Law Firm

1996 - 1999

Primary focus of practice was on bankruptcy and civil litigation.

Attorney

Suggs & Kelly, Lawyers

1993 - 1996

Primary focus of practice was on complex civil litigtion, including product liability, insurance bad faith, medical malpractice, and ERISA.

University of South Carolina - Columbia

J.D. | Law

1990 - 1993

Honors: Associate Editor in Chief of the SC Environmental Law Journal. Dean's List.

Activities: Pro Bono Program. Trial Competition. Faculty Research Assistant. Faculty Research Supervisor.

Furman University

B.A. (1986) | History

1986

Honors: Cum Laude, Deans List

Activities: Congressional intern, Municipal Intern, Various Volunteer Activities,

National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys

Member

2009 - Current

Pennsylvania Bar Association

Member

2007 - Current

Washington State Bar

Member

1996 - Current

High-Income Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: Crossing the Threshold

Philadelphia Bankruptcy Attorney Blog

November, 2010

Senior Citizens and Bankruptcy: When the Wolf is at Grandma's Door

Charleston Bankruptcy Blog

October, 2010

Q. A collector that has been previously removed from my credit report keeps re-appearing as new account(s). What to do?

May 31, 2022

A: I agree with my Pennsylvania colleague. It sounds like the creditor has verified the debt in response to the credit bureaus' investigations. However, if they are misreporting the matter (e.g., claiming a false last payment date, misrepresenting the nature of the debt, etc.), you may have a claim under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. There is some good news regarding credit reporting. The three main credit bureaus will begin removing paid medical debt from credit reports in July of 2022. In addition, they will no longer report medical debt under $500 or less than one-year-old. Of course, how this plays out remains to be seen. It is not too late to demand validation of the debt from the collector. However, you may have statute of limitations and other defenses and counterclaims. Therefore, I'd suggest speaking to a debtor defense attorney about your options before doing anything else.

Q. I filed an appeal of dismissal of a bankruptcy order. Is the automatic stay still in effect since appeal is pending?

May 3, 2022

A: The automatic stay ends when a bankruptcy case is dismissed. It does not continue during an appeal. Therefore, creditors may proceed with collections, including foreclosures and repossessions, at least until the dismissal is reversed. Although the automatic stay is typically reimposed upon the reversal of a dismissal, most courts have held that a reimposed stay runs from the date of the reversal, not from the original dismissal date. Sometimes refiling the case is a better option than appealing the dismissal. However, depending upon the type of case and circumstances of the dismissal, it may not be possible to refile immediately.

Q. I need an attorney to sue my pet insurance company for bad faith. There is also a possible claim under the consumer ...

April 28, 2022

A: Given the facts you presented, you may have bad faith, breach of contract, and other claims. Damages for insurance bad faith can include actual damages, interest on the damages, punitive damages, attorney's fees, etc. Therefore, you should undoubtedly ask an attorney to review the policy, medical records, advertising, etc. To win in an insurance bad faith case, you have to show that the insurer did not have a reasonable basis under the policy to deny benefits and knew its basis for the denial was unreasonable. If the policy provisions are as clear as you described, it is more difficult for the insurer to defend its decision. However, insurance policies can be tortuous. Note that in most insurance bad faith claims, you must follow the insurer's internal appeal process before filing a claim in court. Therefore, you may have to jump through the insurer's procedural hoops first, although you may want to speak to an attorney first. Typically, there are specific deadlines for filing an appeal. It is a little early to know if there is a potential class action here. However, it is possible if there are many similarly situated pet owners.