Trend: Increased Free or Low Cost Legal Counsel for Tenants

Posted By Cliff Tuttle | October 1, 2016

No. 1,285

The New York Law Journal reports that New York City is likely to establish a program to provide free legal counsel to low income tenants.

This trend is also evident for some time in Allegheny County, where the Bar Association Pro Bono organization has sponsored its Landlord-Tenant Project for several years. In addition, the Neighborhood Legal Services Association has several lawyers who handle cases for indigent tenants who qualify.

The impact of this trend may not be evident to landlords until they get to court.  NLSA attorneys are experts in landlord-tenant law and know how to try a case.  Most of the time, they first appear at the arbitration level.  They may be able to surprise unrepresented landlords or even less experienced attorneys.  Volunteer attorneys may not be quite so experienced, but they can also be dangerous.

CLT

Welcome

CLIFF TUTTLE has been a Pennsylvania lawyer for over 45 years and (inter alia) is a real estate litigator and legal writer. The posts in this blog are intended to provide general information about legal topics of interest to lawyers and consumers with a Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania focus. However, this information does not constitute legal advice and there is no lawyer-client relationship created when you read this blog. You are encouraged to leave comments but be aware that posted comments can be read by others. If you wish to contact me in privacy, please use the Contact Form located immediately below this message. I will reply promptly and in strict confidence.

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