Rausch Sturm Review: Who They Are and What to Do If They're Suing You
Rausch Sturm shows up in the mail, and it usually doesn't look friendly. A letter on law-firm letterhead, or worse, a summons handed to you by a process server. Either way, the name in the return address is a debt collection law firm, and if you're reading this you're trying to figure out what that means for you.
Short version: Rausch Sturm is a real law firm whose main job is filing collection lawsuits. This page covers who they are, why they're after you, and the options in front of you, especially if there's a court deadline involved.
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Who is Rausch Sturm?
Rausch Sturm LLP is a multi-state debt collection law firm headquartered in Brookfield, Wisconsin, in business since 1977. You may have seen the older name, RSIEH, short for Rausch, Sturm, Israel, Enerson, and Hornik. Same firm, shorter name. They run around a dozen branch offices across the country.
What they do is narrow and specific. They file civil collection lawsuits on behalf of their clients, which include national banks and card issuers like TD Bank, Capital One, and Citibank, along with debt buyers such as Jefferson Capital and Midland. They aren't the original lender. They're the firm the lender or debt buyer hires when an account is headed to court.
Why is Rausch Sturm contacting you?
Because a creditor or debt buyer handed your account to them to collect, and they've decided litigation is the path. That usually happens after earlier collection attempts, calls, letters, other agencies, didn't produce a payment.
Their whole model runs on converting unpaid balances into court judgments. A judgment is a court order saying you owe the money. Once they have one, they can enforce it, and that's where wage garnishment and bank levies come in. So the letter or lawsuit from Rausch Sturm isn't the finish line for them. It's the step before they ask a court for real collection power.
Can Rausch Sturm sue you?
Yes. Suing is the core of what they do, across multiple states. If you've been served with a summons and complaint, treat it as a genuine lawsuit with a hard deadline, typically 20 to 30 days to file a written answer, depending on your state.
Do not ignore a summons. This is the mistake that costs people the most. If you don't respond in time, Rausch Sturm can ask the court for a default judgment, and courts grant them routinely when the defendant goes silent. A default judgment often leads straight to garnishment or a levy without another day in court. Answering on time keeps your options open, even if you ultimately want to settle.
If the debt is tied to your business or you personally guaranteed a business loan, the rules aren't identical to a personal credit card case. Commercial debts sit outside a lot of the consumer protections. That's worth sorting out early, because it shapes how you respond.
Your rights when a collection law firm contacts you
Here's something a lot of people don't realize: because Rausch Sturm regularly collects debts, its attorneys are bound by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act on consumer debts, same as any collection agency. The U.S. Supreme Court settled that back in Heintz v. Jenkins in 1995. Lawyers who collect don't get a pass on the FDCPA.
What that gives you on a personal debt:
- The right to request validation of the debt in writing within 30 days of their first contact, so they have to show they can prove the account and the amount.
- A one-year window to sue them in state or federal court if they violate the FDCPA, and consumers have done exactly that against this firm over the years.
- Protection from abusive or deceptive collection tactics.
Business debts generally don't get the FDCPA umbrella, so if this is a commercial account the leverage comes from different places, mainly the numbers and the negotiation, not consumer statutes.
Settlement as an option
Most collection lawsuits never reach a trial. They settle. Rausch Sturm's clients often prefer a negotiated payoff over the time and cost of litigating to a verdict, and that's true whether the account is a lump-sum settlement or a structured plan.
For business owners, that's where Business Debt Adjusters works. We're a debt settlement company, not a law firm, and we've spent 11 years negotiating business balances down, with more than $500M resolved. When a business account or personally guaranteed balance is with a firm like Rausch Sturm, we look at the real number that closes it and handle the back-and-forth so you're not doing it alone.
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When you need an actual attorney
If you've been served and the clock is ticking on your answer, that's attorney territory. A consumer-defense or commercial-litigation lawyer can file the answer, raise defenses, and challenge whether the plaintiff can actually prove the debt. Settlement negotiators don't argue cases in court, and once you're in litigation you want someone who can.
There's also a middle path that's common in practice: an attorney defends the suit, pokes holes in the paperwork, and then you settle from a stronger position. Fighting and settling aren't opposites here. The right combination depends on your specific case and how far along it is.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rausch Sturm legit?
Yes. Rausch Sturm LLP is a licensed, operating law firm founded in 1977, based in Wisconsin and practicing in multiple states. Legitimate doesn't mean automatically correct, though. They still have to prove they own or represent the debt and that the amount is right, and consumers have successfully challenged this firm under the FDCPA.
Why is Rausch Sturm suing me?
A creditor or debt buyer hired them to collect on an account with your name on it, and they've decided to pursue it in court to get a judgment. A judgment is what lets them garnish wages or levy a bank account later.
Can Rausch Sturm sue my business?
If your business owes the debt, or you signed a personal guarantee, yes. Commercial debt lawsuits follow different rules than consumer ones, so don't assume your response should look the same as a personal credit card case.
What happens if I ignore Rausch Sturm?
If you ignore a lawsuit, they can win by default. A default judgment can lead to wage garnishment and bank levies, often without another hearing. Answering the summons on time is what protects your ability to negotiate or defend.
Should I contact Rausch Sturm directly?
You can, but be careful what you say. Admitting the debt or making a partial payment can affect your legal position, and in some states a payment can restart the statute of limitations. It's often smarter to know your footing first, then respond in writing.
Talk it through before you respond
If Rausch Sturm is coming after a business debt or a personally guaranteed balance, get a clear read before you answer. We'll look at what you owe, whether it can be settled, and whether you need an attorney on the litigation side. Costs nothing to find out.
Dealing with more than one collector? See our guides to Stenger & Stenger and Weltman, Weinberg & Reis.
Browse other lender and collector reviews →
This page is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Business Debt Adjusters is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or authorized to represent Rausch Sturm LLP. Company names are used for identification only. If you're facing an active lawsuit, consult a licensed attorney in your state.
Where to go from here
If MCA payments are squeezing your business, start with how MCA debt relief works, run your numbers through the MCA true-cost calculator, or get a free consultation on your specific file.
