A highly-sought-after commercial litigator, Joe Nguyen represents some of the largest companies in the United States, often financial services institutions, in high-stakes class action and single-plaintiff suits across the country. He also serves as outside general counsel to clients and regularly counsels on compliance and regulatory matters. Joe is a member of the firm’s board of directors.
Joe has a proven track record of success serving as first chair at trial and litigating cases before state and federal courts nationwide, as well as before the American Arbitration Association and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). A highly organized and active leader both within and outside the firm, Joe oversees hundreds of cases at a time and is currently lead counsel on several class action lawsuits. He is also a regarded thought-leader, presenting on various topics impacting the financial services industry.
Before joining Stradley Ronon, Joe developed a unique business perspective as vice president and assistant general counsel for one of the largest mortgage providers in the United States. Managing a large team of lawyers and paraprofessionals, Joe was the lead in-house counsel for the company’s nationwide class action portfolio and was responsible for the day-to-day strategic management of significant borrower litigation.
Prior to his role as a senior in-house lawyer, Joe practiced at an international law firm, where he was a lead lawyer on a team serving as national FINRA arbitration counsel for a large broker-dealer. His experience also includes prosecuting criminal trials at the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.
Featured Representative Matters
Obtained summary judgment in a Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) class action involving novel issues with industry-wide implications (Walker v. Cenlar, No. 21-5381 (D.N.J.)).
Obtained complete dismissal of a class action involving privacy and constitutional claims (Knudsen v. Customers Bank, Cause No. DV 16-977 (Mont.)).
Served as lead defense counsel in class actions under Massachusetts consumer protection laws (Pantano v. Ocwen Loan Servicing, No. 1977CV00530 (Mass.), and Cabral v. PHH Mortgage, No. 19-cv-12245 (D. Mass.)).
Served as lead defense counsel in a Truth in Lending Act (TILA) class action (Dunn v. PHH Mortgage, No 20-CV-05848 (D.N.J.)).
Served as lead defense counsel in class action involving higher education financing (Edelman v. Higher One Holdings, Case 2:17-cv-01700 (E.D. Pa.)).
Served as lead defense counsel in a Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) class action (Basketbill v. PHH Mortgage Services, No. 19-3993 (E.D. Pa.)).
Obtained complete dismissal of a TILA class action (Rankin v. Customers Bank, No. 19-1508 (E.D. Pa.)).
Defeated appeal before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit related to the Pennsylvania Loan Interest and Protection Law (Conway v. US Bank, No. 19-2498 (3d Cir.)).
Obtained complete dismissal of a Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) class action (Gutierrez v. First National Bank of America, No. 18-479 (D. Md.) on remand No. 441429 (Md.)).
Defeated appeal to the Supreme Court of Delaware (Poston v. Deutsche Bank, No. 579, 2108 (Del.)).
Defeated appeal to the Fourth Circuit and certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court (Talley v. Ocwen Loan Servicing, No. 18-1777 (4th Cir.) and No. 18-1390 (US)).
Obtained complete dismissal in a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) class action (White v. US Bank, No 18-10683 (D.N.J.)).
Obtained complete dismissal of a nationwide class action (Bantum v. MERS, No. 11-4431 (E.D. Pa.)).
Obtained judgment after bench trial in lender liability cases (Dicostanzo v. CCO Mortgage, No. 1104036517 (Phila. C.P.), and Meekins v. HSBC, No. 080701801 (Phila. C.P.)).
During jury trial, obtained judgment under Rule 50 (Wise v. AmeriCredit, No. 09-102 (E.D. Pa.)).
Community Impact
A strong advocate for Asian American legal professionals both within and outside of the firm, Joe serves as a member of the firm’s Inclusion Committee and Asian American and Pacific Islander Engagement Group. He helped his family create the Vietnam Society, a nonprofit that aims to foster understanding of Vietnamese culture, and he is a member of several affinity bar associations and organizations.
He has also volunteered with Philadelphia Reads, a Philadelphia mayor’s office program that helps inner-city youth improve their reading skills, and for Minority Law Day, an annual Pennsylvania Bar Association program designed to introduce inner-city high school students to the practice of law and encourage them to consider pursuing a career in the legal profession.
Memberships
Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Pennsylvania
Minority Bar Committee, Pennsylvania Bar Association
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
National Conference of Vietnamese American Attorneys
Stradley Ronon Inclusion Committee
Recognitions
The Legal 500 US Elite (Philadelphia: Commercial Disputes) (2025-26)
Impact 75, City & State Pennsylvania (2023)
Diversity in Business Award, Philadelphia Business Journal (2023)
Leadership Excellence Award, Philadelphia Diversity and Leadership Conference (2019)
Rising Star, HousingWire (2017)
Lawyers on the Fast Track, The Legal Intelligencer (2009)
Languages
Vietnamese
Featured Speaking Engagements
Presenter, “A Very Asian Guide to Vietnamese Food,” Stradley Ronon
Presenter, “Key Litigation Developments and Trends Under the FCRA,” AFSA Winter Committee Meeting
Presenter, “Navigating the Minefield: Hot Issues in Mortgage Litigation and Compliance,” Pennsylvania Bar Institute Real Estate CLE
Panelist, “Leading with Emotional Intelligence” 8th Annual Philadelphia Diversity & Leadership Conference
Presenter, “Mastering Foreclosure Techniques and MERS,” Rossdale CLE Seminar
Panelist, “Protecting Privileged Communications in Business Transactions and Investigations,” Association of Corporate Counsel, Greater Philadelphia Chapter
