Housing & Lending Discrimination
Factoid: $765,000,000 – the extra money paid yearly by minority borrowers for credit and mortgage refinance charges due to discrimination.
Laws now exist to prevent creditors from committing lending discrimination against you. Your successful court case against a lender can result in large money damages, repair of your credit history, and other remedies to make you whole again. Our attorneys are expert at advocating plaintiffs’ economic rights.The Whittier Law Group specializes in representing plaintiffs in lawsuits related to breaches of fair credit and fair lending laws. The firm has a team of experienced attorneys who are well-versed in the laws and regulations governing fair credit and fair lending practices. They continually work with clients who have been victims of discriminatory practices, such as denial of credit, unfair interest rates, or improper credit reporting.
Our firm’s attorneys have a thorough understanding of the laws that protect consumers against credit discrimination, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and the Fair Housing Act. They collaborate closely with clients to investigate and build strong cases against creditors, lenders, and credit reporting agencies that have violated these laws.
Our services include conducting a thorough investigation of the case, gathering evidence, and preparing a strong legal argument to present in court. We are skilled negotiators and often seek to resolve cases through settlements, but we are always prepared to go to trial if necessary.
Our attorneys are also dedicated to educating our clients and keeping them current about their legal rights and the judicial process.
The Whittier Law Group is committed to providing personalized and compassionate representation to each client. We understand the stress and frustration that can come with being a victim of credit discrimination, and we constantly strive to better assist clients achieve justice and fair compensation for their losses. Our commitment also extends to offering free initial consultations to assess your potential case and discuss your legal options.
Commercial real estate investors as well as other sophisticated borrowers can also be victims of discriminatory lending practices. Predatory credit and interest terms, unfair collateral and guarantee requirements, as well as bigoted actions by municipal authorities can all trigger a solid discrimination lawsuit.Another area of our legal expertise extends to representing plaintiffs who have been subjected to violations of the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. In particular, we handle cases on behalf of minority real estate developers who have had their otherwise viable housing projects denied approval in violation of the Fair Housing Act.
Our attorneys are highly knowledgeable about the Fair Housing Act and have extensive experience handling cases involving housing discrimination. We work closely with clients to understand their needs and goals and develop a strategy tailored to their specific situation.
The Whittier Law Group takes a systematic approach toward our real estate developer clients, when it comes to bringing a case for discriminatory intent or disparate impact upon protected classes under the Fair Housing Act.
Our services include:
1) Preliminary investigation of the prima facie case;
2) Gathering and preserving trial admissible evidence;
3) Establishing our client’s protected class status;
4) Establishing discriminatory intent and/or disparate impact;
5) Analyzing local zoning laws and practices for discriminatory provisions;
6) Identifying procedural irregularities by potential defendant land use authorities;
7) Assembling strong, cogent expert testimony;
8) Negotiating with the opposing party to achieve client’s objectives. If necessary, go to trial and fight for the clients’ rights in court.
Advocating for Clients Experiencing Discrimination in Obtaining Residential Housing Loans.At the Whittier Law Group, we believe that everyone has the right to fair and equitable treatment when seeking a residential housing loan. Unfortunately, discrimination can and does occur in this process, leaving individuals and families feeling helpless and unsure of their rights.
Our dedicated team of attorneys specializes in helping those who have experienced discrimination in obtaining a residential housing loan. Armed with a comprehensive understanding of the Fair Housing Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and other pertinent legislation, we are fully prepared to fight for justice for our clients.
Our approach includes:
1) Understanding Your Case: We start by thoroughly understanding your situation. Our team gathers all necessary documentation and evidence, such as loan application paperwork, correspondence with the lender, your credit report, and other relevant financial documents. We leave no stone unturned as we compile a complete picture of your circumstances.
2) Identifying Discriminatory Practices: We diligently work to identify specific instances or practices of discrimination. Discrimination can take many forms, including refusal to grant a loan, offering less favorable terms, or using discriminatory appraisal practices.
3) Gathering Evidence: Our team works tirelessly to gather evidence supporting your claim. We document all interactions with the lender, obtain witness testimonies if available, and compare the lender’s treatment of similar applicants not in your protected class.
4) Filing Complaints: When there’s sufficient evidence of discrimination, we file a formal complaint on your behalf. We liaise with agencies such as the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to ensure your case is heard.
5) Negotiations and Litigation: If the lender denies the allegations, our experienced attorneys are ready to negotiate on your behalf to seek an amicable solution. If necessary, we are fully prepared to represent you in federal or state court. We’ve even taken on class action lawsuits when multiple individuals have experienced similar discriminatory treatment from the same lender.
6) Resolution and Follow-Up: If the court rules in your favor, we ensure the resolution is implemented properly, whether it involves changes in the lender’s practices, financial compensation, or punitive damages.
At the Whittier Law Group, we are passionate about upholding the rights of our clients and are dedicated to providing zealous advocacy for those who have experienced discrimination in obtaining a residential housing loan. If you’ve experienced discrimination, we want to help. Contact us today to discuss your case and see how we can work together towards achieving justice.
Housing tenants suffer some of the worse discrimination and abuse of any consumer sector in the economy. As experienced housing rights attorneys we can fight for you against illegal evictions, violation of habitation rights, illegal rent hikes and other measures used by unscrupulous landlords.The lawyers at the Whittier Law Group can help a tenant client win a case for discrimination under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) by using a combination of legal strategies, research, and advocacy.
Every client’s case is different, and we always advocate for our client’s as individuals, but some common elements to our approach are as follows:
⇒ Thoroughly assess the case: The lawyer will first gather all relevant facts and evidence from the tenant client. This includes reviewing the rental agreement, communications with the landlord, records of rent payments, documentation of the landlord’s discriminatory behavior, and any witnesses who can testify to the landlord’s actions.
⇒ Identify FHA and NY state/city violations: The Fair Housing Act (and the state and NYC laws) prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. Our lawyers will examine the evidence to identify instances where the landlord’s actions violate the FHA, such as discriminatory rent hikes or targeting specific protected classes in illegal foreclosure attempts.
⇒ Investigate habitation rights violations: The lawyer will also look into any potential violations of state and local laws regarding tenant rights, such as unsafe living conditions, lack of necessary repairs, or illegal eviction attempts. These violations can bolster the tenant’s case and may be linked to discriminatory behavior.
⇒ Legal research: The attorney will conduct legal research to identify relevant case law, regulations, and statutes that support the tenant’s claims. This research helps build a strong legal argument that the landlord’s actions are not only discriminatory but also illegal under federal, state, and local laws.
⇒ Develop a legal strategy: With a solid understanding of the facts and the applicable law, the lawyer will develop a legal strategy tailored to the tenant’s case. This may involve negotiating a settlement with the landlord, filing a complaint with a government agency, or initiating a lawsuit.
⇒ Represent the tenant in legal proceedings: If the case proceeds to litigation, the attorney will represent the tenant in court. This includes drafting and filing legal documents, presenting evidence, examining witnesses, and making persuasive arguments to a judge or jury.
⇒ Negotiate a settlement or pursue damages: If the landlord is prepared to accept the tenant’s case, the lawyer will work to negotiate a favorable settlement, but if the landlord refuses to settle the matter amicably, we will pursue a court verdict with damages. This may include financial compensation, an injunction to stop the landlord’s discriminatory behavior, or other forms of relief that address the tenant’s situation.
Throughout the process, the lawyer will communicate regularly with the tenant, keeping them informed of developments and advising them on their options. By employing this multi-pronged approach, the Whittier Law Group can effectively help a tenant client win a case for discrimination under the Fair Housing Act or hold a landlord accountable for other unlawful state and NYC actions.
The Whittier Law Group is known for its dedication to its clients and its commitment to achieving justice. We are passionate about protecting the rights of all individuals and ensuring that everyone has access to fair housing. Overall, our law firm is a trusted ally for plaintiffs who have been subject to credit and housing discrimination, and real estate developers who have been victims of Fair Housing Act violations in their mission to provide much-needed housing opportunities for low-income or protected class tenants and homeowners.
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