Significant Litigation
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A class action was filed in Federal Court to stop illegal police stops in the City of Buffalo.
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This case was a two-state class action against Five Star Bank for sending faulty notices to consumers after their cars were repossessed.
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The Niagara County Department of Social Services filed a federal class action lawsuit to address delays in processing public assistance applications.
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A defendant appealed to the Fourth Department regarding the rules about how strong the evidence needs to be for a summary judgment in a case about unpaid car loans. The court decided in our client's favor, meaning they canceled the money judgment and returned the case for more consideration.
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The Western New York Law Center (WNYLC) took legal action in State Supreme Court for the Town of West Seneca. They said that the mortgage servicer did not take care of a property as it should according to the law (RPAPL Sections 1308-1310). A settlement was reached where Servicing Portfolio Solutions (SPS) agreed to pay the Town and set up a plan to deal with abandoned or "zombie" properties in the future.
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The Western New York Law Center (WNYLC) took legal action in State Supreme Court for the Town of Clarence because the mortgage servicer didn't take care of a property like they were supposed to, according to the law (RPAPL Sections 1308-1310). They reached a settlement to pay back the Town for its costs, and the unsafe building was torn down.
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This case is a federal class action lawsuit against a foreclosure plaintiff law firm. The lawsuit concerns the fees and costs the law firm charged homeowners. It claims that the law firm misled homeowners and tried to collect unfair charges for foreclosure services that were either too high or didn't happen at all. The Western New York Legal Services is working with the Bromberg Law Office, PC, and the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) on this case. A Magistrate Judge is now in charge of handling the case.
Significant Projects
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The Western New York Law Center has played a leading role in a campaign in Buffalo and across New York to ensure water is affordable and reduce water shutoffs for people who have trouble paying their bills. We worked with community groups and legal services all over the state to help pass laws protecting residential customers from being shut off from electric, gas, phone, and water services during the pandemic. New York is the first state to have such laws.
News Articles Archives
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January
Sen. Sean Ryan unveils plan to aid Buffalo housing crisis
February
Groups urge Buffalo to test more rental units for lead paint
April
New tool kit helps in appeal process for students facing suspension
July
Lawsuit filed against Buffalo for failure to implement rental inspections law
October
Buffalo motions for dismissal of PRI case
Buffalo justice advocate sheds light on Buffalo Schools' suspension crisis
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January
Law clinic tackles consumer debt crisis as civil rights issue
February
The Editorial Board: Elimination of funding for housing program works against Hochul's goals
Ryan urges restoration of funding for foreclosure prevention program
City keeping $3.6M of other people's money
March
Buffalo, What's Next? | Tops Survivors, Disputing Debt
Lawmakers join Albany rally to protect homeowners
April
'Zombie' properties: Niagara County partners with WNY Law Center to address blight
May
#BHeard Docs: Stealing Home | How Deed Theft Makes Homeowners Homeless
June
Samantha White of WNY Law Center explains why subjective suspensions lead to racial disparities
September
The Editorial Board: Should the feds investigate Buffalo Police Department? It's a fair request
October
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January
New law addresses statutory judgment interest rates
New state initiative offers info, resources on zombie homes
September
New project aimed at helping zombie properties in WNY
November
Disturbing police testimony demands action
December
Rate Your Ride WNY survey collecting responses to improve public transportation