Meet the Team
At The Holland Law Firm, we defend consumers against unfair practices by banks, debt collectors, and credit bureaus. Whether you’re dealing with credit card debt, student loans, car repossession, or identity theft, we’re here to help.
About The Holland Law Firm
Industry-Leading Experience You Can Trust
Peter Holland’s work has been cited by courts and scholars across the country, including the Supreme Court of the United States. He even led the Consumer Protection Clinic at the University of Maryland Law School, where he trained future consumer protection attorneys. Emanwel Turnbull has published in scholarly journals, taught Legal History at the University of Baltimore, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition.
Protecting Your Rights Against Unfair Practices
If you need an experienced consumer protection attorney, you’ve come to the right place. The Holland Law Firm is here to level the playing field and defend consumers against abusive or deceptive practices by banks, debt collectors, credit bureaus, mortgage servicers, and finance companies.
Fighting for Consumers Everywhere
Through individual cases and class actions, The Holland Law Firm is committed to defending not only our clients but consumers nationwide. While banks have teams of lawyers to represent them, we’ve chosen to fight for ordinary people.
Take the First Step Toward Justice
If you’ve been sued, cheated, lied to, or mistreated by a bank, debt collector, credit bureau, or any other powerful corporation, don’t face them alone. Contact The Holland Law Firm today for a consultation and let us protect your rights.
Our team takes pride in our reputation as leaders in consumer protection law, and as caring individuals who sincerely want to help people. Our attorneys teach and attend training on courtroom skills because we know that the best way to settle a case is to prepare for trial. You’ll have at your side our decades of helping people fight back against unfair debt collectors, banks, and credit reporting agencies that give us insight and understanding about the emotional toll these issues take on people.
If you become our client, we’ll get to know you personally so we can help tell your story clearly and effectively as we fight for your rights. We strive to minimize your stress by making sure that you understand your rights and options every step of the way, from your initial intake to final resolution.
Peter A. Holland
I grew up in a large family with parents who were both cancer researchers. From them, I inherited a curiosity and a drive to continually expand my knowledge and skills to help others.
I began my legal career at a small Annapolis firm, where I assisted clients with everything from divorce and custody to personal injury, business disputes, and civil rights cases.
After several years of mentorship and hands-on experience, I decided to establish my own firm. In 1997, I founded the Holland Law Firm, driven by a mission to help individuals stand up to corporate bullies. My goal was to wield the law not just as a shield to protect consumers but also as a sword to hold corporations accountable for unfair, abusive, or deceptive practices.
Focusing on consumer financial and credit issues opened my eyes to how fraud or even minor mistakes by creditors can devastate someone’s life—impacting their ability to get a job, secure housing, or obtain fair interest rates. I knew I had found my calling when I helped a young woman win a significant jury verdict against a car dealer who sold her a used car as new.
Now, more than 25 years later, what continues to drive me is the ability to level the playing field and secure the compensation my clients deserve.
* Peter Holland is the author of some of the leading articles on debt buyers, including “Current Trends in Consumer Debt Buyer Litigation” in the Maryland Bar Journal, “Debt-Buyer Lawsuits and Inaccurate Data” in the Boston Fed’s Communities and Banking magazine, “Defending Junk Debt Buyer Lawsuits” in the Clearinghouse Review, “Junk Justice: A Statistical Analysis of 4,400 Lawsuits Filed by Debt Buyers” in the Loyola Consumer Law Review, and “The One Hundred Billion Dollar Problem in Small Claims Courts: Robo-Signing and Lack of Proof in Debt Buyer Cases” published in the Journal of Business and Technology Law. His articles have been cited in court opinions and in scholarly articles. You can download all of his articles here.
Emanwel J. Turnbull
Emanwel “Manny” Turnbull manages the firm’s Fair Debt and Fair Credit Litigation Practice. He brings a rare combination of Oxford-trained legal rigor and deep Maryland consumer law expertise to every case he handles. Many of his clients are victims of identity theft, false credit reporting, or illegal debt collection (and often all three).
Manny was named Rising Star by Super Lawyers and has lectured to other consumer lawyers from around the country.
Manny currently serves as the Treasurer of Economic Action Maryland, and he is a member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates.
Originally from the United Kingdom, Manny earned his law degree at St. Hugh’s College, Oxford University, a diploma in legal practice from the College of Law in London, and earned an LLM focused on Consumer Law from the University of Maryland School of Law. Previously, he taught American and English Legal History in the Legal, Ethical, and Historical Studies division at the University of Baltimore. He has published law review articles in the Vermont Law Review and the Widener Law Review.
* Emanwel Turnbull is the author of two law review articles: “Account Stated Resurrected: The Fiction of Implied Assent in Consumer Debt Collection” in the Vermont Law Review and “Opting Out of the Procedural Morass: A Solution to the Class Arbitration Problem” in the Widener Law Review.
Jessica L. Russell
Jessica ”Jess” Russell manages the firm’s Debt Collection Defense Practice. She’s a tenacious advocate for consumers who are being wrongfully sued, and she screens every case for counterclaims and class action opportunities that can turn the tables on abusive collectors. Her clients those who are sued on everything from student loans, repossession deficiencies, medical debt, landlord-tenant debt, and credit cards. In addition to providing an aggressive defense in court, she screens every case for counterclaims and class actions on issues ranging from unauthorized fees, identity theft, inaccurate credit reporting, and violations of the statute of limitations.
Before joining The Holland Law Firm, Jess spent eight years at Russell and Heffner, LLC. in Frederick, where she focused on family law, including mediation, divorce, custody, visitation, and child support.
Jess was named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers and is a member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates and a graduate of St. Mary’s College of Maryland and the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. In law school, Jess was active on the Alternative Dispute Resolution Team, competing on the team and taking 3rd place in the 2012 International Competition for Mediation Advocacy. She was also active in the school’s Law Students for Reproductive Justice chapter.
Derek A. Hills
Derek Hills practices out of Easton, Maryland, and is of counsel to the Holland Law Firm. He’s the rare attorney who’s actually worked in the construction industry for 20 years before becoming a lawyer, giving him an insider’s understanding of contractor relationships, construction defects, and the consumer protection laws that homeowners can use to fight back. He prides himself on excellent client communication skills and works collaboratively with the client to evaluate all options and achieve the best outcome.
Derek brings to his cases 20 years of work in the construction industry. This unique experience provides him with an additional knowledge base and added leverage when he represents homeowners in construction disputes and construction defect lawsuits. Derek is a problem solver who knows from personal experience what it feels like to walk in the shoes of contractors, subcontractors, and homeowners. And because so many construction disputes involve various consumer protection laws, Derek is also on the cutting edge of emerging legal issues, such as unfair and deceptive trade practices related to solar panel financing and installation.
In addition to construction litigation, Derek also provides the following services to homeowners: Bid and Scope Review of architectural plans, Contract Review, representation at Administrative Hearings before the Maryland Home Improvement Commission, and defenses to petitions to establish Mechanics’ Liens.
As a result of his exposure to consumer protection laws concerning construction matters, Derek also represents consumers in cases involving debt collection, auto fraud, and other consumer challenges.
Ann Franklin: Bookkeeper and Legal Assistant
Ann Franklin is as comfortable creating spreadsheets as she is talking with clients about their problems. Prior to working at the Holland Law Firm, she was an economic and revenue analyst for the Maryland Legislature and the State Comptroller’s Office. In addition to data analysis and helping clients gather documents and information, she oversees the firm’s billing system and bookkeeping. Her expertise has helped The Holland Law Firm become the thriving company that it is today.
“I am proud to work for a firm that cares so strongly about helping people. The consumer issues our clients come to us with credit reporting errors, identity theft, surprise medical bills, mortgage, car and student loans that are misreported or mishandled, can happen to any of us, and they cause enormous financial and emotional stress. When our firm can resolve these issues, it’s very rewarding.” – Ann Franklin
Originally from Michigan, Ann has called the Eastern Shore home for over twenty years and lives happily with her husband, two children, and two dogs. Whenever possible, Ann enjoys spending time at her family’s cabin in western Maine.
Jamie White: Legal Assistant
Jamie White joined the Holland Law team as a Legal Assistant in 2022. Originally from Rochester in Upstate New York, Jamie attended Nazareth College where she majored in Legal Studies and minored in Philosophy.
Jamie’s interest in consumer law began during her time as an AmeriCorps Paralegal for a nonprofit law firm. After relocating to Maryland, she found her place at the Holland Law Firm, where she can continue her career in consumer law.
Jamie says, “Working in consumer law is a deeply rewarding profession, as it allows me to use my legal skills to protect and empower everyday individuals, ensuring that they are treated fairly and have their voices heard.” Jamie is passionate about helping others and seeks to further her career in law by pursuing certification as a paralegal.
In her free time, Jamie enjoys reading, thrifting, and exploring the many festivals and events that the DMV area has to offer.
Terri Jamison: Intake Coordinator
Terri Jamison joined the Holland Law Firm in 2023. After graduating from Northeast High School in Pasadena, MD, she pursued bookkeeping courses at Anne Arundel Community College, and went on to own and operate a cleaning business for 13 years.
Currently serving as the Holland Law Firm’s Intake Coordinator, Terri plays a vital role as the first point of contact for callers seeking legal assistance. Terri’s previous experiences have equipped her with the ability to connect with callers on a personal level. Terri excels at understanding each caller’s unique needs and guides them through our intake process so that they can get help from an attorney.
In her spare time, Terri enjoys basking in the sun, swimming, boating, and cherishing moments with her grandson at her home on Kent Island.