Real Estate & Property Law

New legal tech service helps renters recover security deposits in New York

A new legal service designed to help New York City renters recover their security deposits launched Friday.

Jul 7, 2025 11:11 AM CDT

Federal judge’s defamation suit over alleged hacking inference tossed after he’s deemed public official

A federal judge in Miami has tossed dueling defamation claims stemming from a dispute over condo repairs in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, that involve a New York federal judge.

Jul 3, 2025 10:11 AM CDT

Legal aid is a lifeline for families and communities

Each year, our organization, Community Legal Services, provides legal assistance to thousands of individuals who otherwise could not afford counsel. Our work, and that of the volunteer attorneys who support us, is essential in helping people navigate matters as simple as signing a lease or as complex as obtaining an injunction against an abusive spouse.

Jun 30, 2025 2:33 PM CDT

Rastafarian’s religious freedom suit against prison officials for cutting his hair wins Supreme Court review

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Monday to decide whether a Rastafarian with religious objections to cutting his hair can seek money damages from Louisiana prison officials for strapping him down and shaving his head.

Jun 25, 2025 9:22 AM CDT

Lawyer who collected over $40K in title insurance commissions in 1 month failed to disclose, hearing body says

A Massachusetts lawyer committed an “ethical misstep” by collecting commission of 80% for his real estate clients’ title insurance without disclosing it, according to a hearing committee report.

Jun 11, 2025 9:59 AM CDT

Budget proposal for ‘orderly closeout’ of Legal Services Corp. is ‘devastation,’ says legal aid leader

The Legal Services Corp. has requested $2.1 billion in funding for fiscal year 2026, a far cry from the administration’s $21 million request to enable an “orderly closeout” of the program, according to a Bloomberg Law story.

Jun 9, 2025 2:09 PM CDT

Supreme Court narrows scope of environmental reviews

The Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously narrowed the scope of government-required environmental reviews for major infrastructure projects, overturning a lower-court block on a rail line in Utah that would carry billions of gallons of oil. The case became a proxy battle over how far federal agencies may go in assessing the environmental impact of highways, pipelines and other projects before deciding whether to approve them.

May 29, 2025 2:38 PM CDT

Lawyer at a Party: How to handle unwanted legal inquiries

“My lease says no pets allowed, but that’s only for like really big dogs—right?” You take a deep breath, look at your inquisitor and wonder anew why you left the comfort of your home for this cocktail party. At home, no one asks you legal questions.

May 29, 2025 9:51 AM CDT

Justice Department is investigating NY attorney general who has targeted Trump

The Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into real estate transactions involving New York Attorney General Letitia James, according to a person familiar with the case—the first known criminal probe of a law enforcement official who took action against President Donald Trump.

May 9, 2025 10:00 AM CDT

Supreme Court will consider whether Black landlord can sue over mail said to be intentionally withheld

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Monday to decide whether a Texas landlord can sue the U.S. Postal Service for allegedly withholding mail from herself and her tenants because she is Black.

Apr 22, 2025 10:44 AM CDT

Future Forward: How lawyers can embrace sustainability

Sustainable development means more than “being green,” says John Dernbach, an emeritus professor at Widener University Commonwealth Law School and the founding director of its Environmental Law and Sustainability Center. Rather, he says, sustainable development balances environmental protection, economic development and social justice.

Apr 1, 2025 3:00 AM CDT

Giuliani contempt decision blocks him from doing this, putting his Florida condo at risk

Disbarred lawyer Rudy Giuliani is “in dire jeopardy” of having to turn over his Palm Beach, Florida, condo to two Georgia election workers who sued him for defamation after a federal judge held the former New York City mayor in civil contempt Monday, according to a report by Politico.

Jan 7, 2025 10:34 AM CST