New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against two law firms and their principal attorney, alleging that they used deceptive advertising and failed to provide the legal representation promised to financially vulnerable clients facing foreclosure.
Filed in New York County Supreme Court against Litvin Law Firm, Litvin, Torrens & Associates PLLC and the firms’ principal attorney, Gennady Litvin, the lawsuit states that monthly fees ranging from $595 to $750 were collected from clients with the implication that they would have legal help avoiding foreclosure, including access to a legal defense team and loan audits. These services were allegedly never provided.
“Consumers facing foreclosure place a special trust in attorneys hired to help them navigate the myriad of legal issues they are facing, and our office will hold those accountable who perpetrate scams that prey upon families at risk of losing their home,” Schneiderman said.
According to the suit, the firms allegedly used deceptive nationwide advertising through a third-party marketer that promised services that were never provided. The ads also implied the ability to provide services nationwide. According to court papers, the law firms only have offices in New York and Florida and cannot provide nationwide services.