Fair Housing Law Project

Through community education and enforcing the fair housing laws, FHLP's efforts help make housing available to everyone.

Legal representation

Through direct representation and individual counseling, FHLP provides free legal services to people who have experienced discrimination in acquiring or keeping housing in Santa Clara County. FHLP is a client-driven program, which means that each client's preference about his or her legal enforcement options is critical.

FHLP's four attorneys represent victims of housing discrimination and predatory lending at every stage of the process - including early advocacy, investigation, administrative complaints, mediation, and, when necessary, federal and state court litigation. Any resolution includes policy changes and education in conformity with the fair housing and fair lending laws. Statutory attorney fees received through resolved lawsuits augment grant funding and donations, enabling FHLP to expand its reach and increase the number of people helped.

Private Firms working in partnership with FHLP

Many private firms have increased their pro bono representation by co-counseling predatory lending cases with FHLP.  In addition to helping needy clients, the firms gain litigation experience for their attorneys.  The following firms have provided pro bono assistance for FHLP clients in the past year:

DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary US LLP

Fenwick & West, LLP

Fish & Richardson P.C.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

Greenberg Traurig LLP

Howrey LLP

Latham & Watkins

Manatt Phelps & Phillips, LLP

McDermott Will & Emery

Morrison & Foerster LLP

Orrick, Herrington, & Sutcliffe LLP

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Thelen, Reid & Priest LLP

WilmerHale

Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati LLP

If you work for a law firm and are interested in donating your time to stop people losing their homes to unscrupulous mortgage brokers and lenders, contact Kyra Kazantzis at kyrak@lawfoundation.org for more information.

Updated: November 2008