Consumer Debt Defense
The Western New York Law Center’s Consumer Debt Defense Department provides an array of legal services to defend consumers against debt collection lawsuits; bring affirmative lawsuits against debt collectors who have engaged in illegal collection practices; educate community groups and other advocates; and engage in policy advocacy work.
Services
CLARO
Civil Legal Advice and Resource Center
The Western New York Law Center administers the Buffalo Civil Legal Advice and Resource Office (CLARO-Buffalo), a program that offers free self-help legal clinics to consumers throughout Western New York. At these clinics, consumers may obtain discrete services from volunteer attorneys under a “limited scope” representation agreement. Volunteer attorneys advise consumers of their rights and help them draft, serve, and file legal papers. CLARO-Buffalo also offers a “volunteer attorney of the morning” program that provides representation for discrete court appearances in certain area courts.
Consumer Debt Defense
Our office has an active consumer debt defense practice providing full representation to defendants facing debt collection lawsuits in Western New York courts. The Western New York Law Center believes that most consumers are capable of representing themselves with the occasional assistance of CLARO-Buffalo, and the “limited representation” CLARO model enables us to maximize the number of defendants that we can help. But we may offer full representation to defendants where a matter is particularly complex, involves important unresolved legal issues, or the defendant is unable to handle the matter with CLARO-Buffalo’s assistance due to such barriers as disability or lack of transportation.
Affirmative Litigation
The Western New York Law Center has an active affirmative litigation practice seeking redress for consumers who have been harmed by deception or other illegal behavior by debt collectors or other businesses. Our office may represent consumers in such matters where there are substantial legal claims and representation is not otherwise readily available from the private bar.
Systemic Change
The Western New York Law Center pursues systemic change to benefit consumers by representing consumers in class action lawsuits that challenge widespread misconduct by large companies, handling appeals that raise issues affecting numerous other consumers, and advocating for legislative and regulatory reforms at the local, state, and federal levels.
For more information about the Western New York Law Center's Debt Defense Department, please call us at (716) 828 - 8432
Contact Us!
Email Us!
assistance@wnylc.net
We look forward to hearing from you!
Call Us!
716.855.0203
Office Hours:
9:00am - 5:00pm
Or By Appointment
Our Address
By Appointment Only
37 Franklin Street
2nd Floor, Suite 210
Buffalo, NY 14202
(Look for us behind Pearl Street)
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