Relman Colfax PLLC

More evidence that the problem of #HousingDiscrimination is not receding. Even with record amounts of public and private resources devoted to enforcement of the #FairHousingAct, discrimination on the basis of protected class (race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status and disability) seem to be going through the roof. Relman Colfax PLLC stands ready to challenge housing discrimination and segregation: www.relmanlaw.com https://lnkd.in/ePCtjrZV

Breaking News! Relman Colfax PLLC is thrilled to announce a major victory in the fight against lending discrimination. Today, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in the landmark case of CFPB v. Townstone Financial, Inc. This decision reaffirms that the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) prohibits not only discrimination against applicants but also actions that discourage prospective applicants from applying in the first place. We want to congratulate the incredible team at Relman Colfax, Stephen Hayes, Valerie Comenencia Ortiz and former paralegal Mariana Boully Perez for their tireless work in filing an amicus brief that supported the CFPB and highlighted the severe consequences of limiting ECOA’s reach. We also extend our gratitude to all those who joined us on the frontlines defending antidiscrimination protections, including the National Fair Housing Alliance Read more about their work here: https://lnkd.in/eXBCMGJm

Poverty & Race Research Action Council (PRRAC) is hiring an #ExecutiveDirector. If you want to help combat structural inequality in housing and education, there is no better place to be. Job description and application procedure described below.

We're so proud of the work Relman Colfax PLLC alum Jamie Crook is doing to fight #SourceOfIncome discrimination in California. https://lnkd.in/gfTr7Xd8

Today, the Washington Post's Tom Jackman and Laura Vozzella shared the story of our brave client, Mr. Leslie Puryear, with the world. Mr. Puryear was unlawfully detained by the Virginia Department of Corrections for 16 months after his original release date, losing invaluable time with his wife and children. Mr. Puryear has now filed a class-action lawsuit against the directors of the state Department of Corrections on behalf of himself and others held beyond their release dates, all in the hopes of restoring justice and fighting for what is right. Be sure to read his story here: https://wapo.st/45UN70J

Founder and managing partner, John Relman, on behalf of the entire firm, recently extended his congratulations to Patrice Alexander Ficklin, former attorney at Relman Colfax PLLC, for her extraordinary 13-year run at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Patrice is a beacon for #CivilRights and #FairLending and we are excited for her newest journey at Fannie Mae.

In pursuit of securing #justice for potentially hundreds, we are proud to announce that Relman Colfax has filed a class action against the current and former directors of the Virginia Department of Corrections (#VADOC) for unlawfully keeping Mr. Leslie Puryear and dozens to hundreds of class members in prison for weeks or months after they were entitled to release. This is made possible because of the bravery of Mr. Puryear, who has been fighting for relief for himself and others since before his release last November. This suit seeks justice for potentially hundreds who were unlawfully denied earned sentence credits ("ESCs") under the 2020 ESC reforms, resulting in unjust incarceration and separating them from their families, livelihoods, and communities. "This freedom that was denied to us can never be returned, but I hope my story and this class action will help others get the justice they deserve," said Mr. Puryear.  https://lnkd.in/eESW3rvU

Great work by U.S. Department of Justice in overcoming municipal resistance to affordable housing. As in so many other such cases, that resistance has the effect of perpetuating racial segregation and limiting housing opportunities for people of color and families with children. #FairHousing https://lnkd.in/ggVfdiK4

The Consumer Federation of America and Consumer Reports recently called on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to set guidelines for #AI use in lending, emphasizing the need for less discriminatory alternatives. The CFPB responded with a fair lending report, explaining that lenders should ensure their algorithms comply with fair lending laws. Stephen Hayes of Relman Colfax shared his expertise with Penny Crosman of American Banker, highlighting the necessity of continuous efforts to create fairer systems. As AI's role in lending grows, clear guidelines and best practices are essential to promote fairness and #equity in the financial industry. Let's keep pushing for responsible and inclusive AI! #FairLending #ConsumerProtection https://lnkd.in/eFY-rjqE

Relman Colfax PLLC applauds Erin Boggs and Hugh Bailey of Open Communities Alliance for this outstanding op-ed on internal resistance to Connecticut's #FairShareHousing proposal. Connecticut cannot begin to reverse decades of residential segregation--let alone deal with its affordable housing crisis--by deferring to local #NIMBY sentiment. https://lnkd.in/eU-wrPN3