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Law Offices of Palmer, Reifler & Associates, P.A. is a law firm with a focus on civil recovery law. Based in Florida, with offices in California, Texas, Georgia, and Illinois, extended by a nationwide attorney network, the firm represents regional and national retailers in matters of shoplifting and employee theft. ‘Shrink’, as it is known in retailing, costs retailers approximately 30 billion dollars a year. Civil recovery statutes were enacted in all fifty states to provide some relief for retailers by allowing retailers the opportunity to pursue its losses as a civil matter. Palmer, Reifler & Associates pursues these civil claims on behalf of its retail clients.

Since 1995, Law Offices of Palmer Reifler & Associates, P.A. has played an active role in developing proper standards for civil recovery law. In addition to serving as a resource for state legislatures in the development of state statutes, the Firm has assisted various state bar associations, attorneys general and regulatory bodies in developing the appropriate standards, practices and procedures for civil recovery.

Further, the Firm has successfully argued two landmark cases with significant implications for civil recovery. The first case, Shorts v. Palmer, set the benchmark for today’s civil recovery practice, wherein many important protections and rights for retailers and other victims of theft were established (e.g., the Shorts case established that civil recovery for theft claims are not subject to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”), and that the FDCPA only applies to consensual consumer transactions, and not tort claims for theft). See Shorts v. Palmer, 155 F.R.D. 172 (D.C. Ohio 1994).

Similarly, Kelly v. Palmer, created important precedent for retailers and the practice of civil recovery by law firms. The Kelly decision clearly affirms that civil recovery for retailers constitutes the practice of law, whereby retailers are fully protected under the attorney-client privilege, state bar regulations, trust accounting standards and numerous other protections and immunities offered only by licensed law firms. See Kelly v. Palmer, Reifler, & Assoc., P.A., 681 F.Supp.2d 1356 (S.D. Fla. Jan. 11, 2010).

The Law Offices of Palmer, Reifler & Associates, P.A. continues to be a leader in the field of civil recovery law, expanding its operations into Canada and the United Kingdom. Palmer Reifler is a committed industry partner, active in numerous trade associations including National Retail Federation, Retail Industry Leaders, National Association Retail Collection Attorneys, The Loss Prevention Foundation, ASIS International (security professionals) and ACA International (collection attorneys).