Landlords & Tenants

Does judge’s reference to ‘little Chinese woman’ show bias? Appellate concurrence sees ‘pure stereotyping’

A California judge who said he was almost amused when a “little Chinese woman” stared him down did not rule against her based on ethnic bias, but his comment was “pure stereotyping,” according to two concurring judges in an appellate opinion.

Dec 19, 2024 1:42 PM CST

The Power of Pro Bono: A fair hearing, respect and justice for all

Irene walked into the office of a young lawyer in a small town in Mississippi more than 40 years ago with an eviction notice and a two-page lease. Events that would follow turned the lawyer into a legal aid attorney and a believer in the power of pro bono legal work.

Oct 16, 2024 10:28 AM CDT

Judge tosses lawyer’s dueling lawsuit against Willkie partner in spat over New York Post story

A solo practitioner accused of facilitating a negative story about a BigLaw partner in the New York Post can’t sue for a declaratory judgment that his actions were protected by the First Amendment, a Connecticut judge has ruled.

Oct 1, 2024 10:54 AM CDT

Landlords can pursue takings suit stemming from COVID-19 eviction moratorium, Federal Circuit rules

Landlords may pursue a lawsuit alleging that the federal government violated the Fifth Amendment’s takings clause when it imposed a moratorium on evictions, according to a federal appeals court.

Aug 13, 2024 8:49 AM CDT

NAACP-trained nonlawyers may provide limited advice to tenants facing eviction, top state court says

The South Carolina Supreme Court is allowing the NAACP’s state conference to train nonlawyer volunteers to advise tenants as part of a three-year pilot program.

Feb 14, 2024 9:47 AM CST

Top state court will hear condo board dispute over emotional support dog

For nearly five years, a 70-pound black Labrador mix named Luna has been at the center of a dispute that started in a Camden County, New Jersey, condominium complex in New Jersey and now sits before the state’s highest court.

Aug 23, 2023 11:27 AM CDT

Black lawyer alleges he was wearing handcuffs as judge pressed him to settle or produce documents

A Black lawyer who is a former pro football player has sued a Pennsylvania judge for allegedly ordering the lawyer’s arrest and having him hauled into court in shackles, where the lawyer was presented with a stark choice.

Aug 15, 2023 3:47 PM CDT

Nonlawyer advocates can help tenants facing eviction in program approved in 2 states

The Arizona Supreme Court and the Utah Supreme Court have approved proposals to allow trained, nonlawyer advocates to provide free limited-scope representation to tenants facing housing instability.

Jun 14, 2023 9:30 AM CDT

Law school clinics tackle challenging issue of heirs’ property rights

Heirs’ property is a name given to a home or land left to family members without an effective deed or will. With no clear title proving ownership, it can be difficult for descendants to sell or lease their property, build equity, or take advantage of homeowner assistance funds or disaster relief.

May 30, 2023 8:14 AM CDT

ABA Military Pro Bono Project has been connecting volunteer attorneys to servicemembers in need for 15 years

It hardly makes sense to ask military members to make the ultimate sacrifice for our country—and then deprive them of access to legal services, says Pamela Stevenson, chair of the ABA Standing Committee on Legal Assistance for Military Personnel.

May 22, 2023 8:49 AM CDT

ABE’s annual grant program sends $300K to 12 innovative projects

Low-income clients overburdened by debt, transgender and nonbinary people who need help changing their names, and youths experiencing homelessness are among the groups supported this year by the American Bar Endowment’s Opportunity Grant Program.

Apr 26, 2023 11:50 AM CDT

BigLaw firm seeks COVID-19-era rent abatement in $30M suit

Crowell & Moring has filed a lawsuit contending that it is entitled to a rent abatement and interest totaling $30 million because of a “force majeure event” that interfered with its use of the property.

Mar 29, 2023 4:18 PM CDT

Licensed paralegals program in Oregon gets final approval

The Oregon Supreme Court has given final approval to a program that allows licensed paralegals to provide limited legal services in family law and landlord-tenant cases.

Jul 25, 2022 9:02 AM CDT

Weekly Briefs: BigLaw firm settles ‘mommy track’ suit; ban on scraped court data challenged

Morrison & Foerster settles ‘mommy track’ suit Morrison & Foerster has settled with two remaining plaintiffs in a lawsuit contending that the law firm discriminates against lawyer moms. In a joint filing, plaintiffs Sherry William and Joshua Ashley Klayman joined the law firm in a March 22 stipulation of dismissal.…

Apr 1, 2022 3:00 PM CDT

Doctor accused of showing his gun during Zoom court faces contempt hearing

A Chicago doctor has been ordered to show cause why he shouldn’t be held in contempt for allegedly showing his gun during a video bankruptcy hearing on Zoom.

Nov 15, 2021 8:56 AM CST