Madeline Houston

Madeline Houston

Houston & Totaro: decades of experience representing New Jersey Consumers
  • Consumer Law, Civil Rights
  • New Jersey
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Biography

At the law firm of Houston & Totaro we represent consumers across the state of New Jersey in cases involving consumer fraud, unconscionable conduct and illegal practices by car dealers, banks, mortgage servicers, landlords, credit reporting agencies and other types of businesses. We use a combination of e-mail communications, telephone conferences and Zoom to accommodate clients from all counties and appear in courts throughout the state of New Jersey, state and federal. We take the vast majority of our cases on a contingency basis to enable consumers to pursue meritorious claims even when legal representation would otherwise be out of their reach.

Education
Rutgers School of Law-Newark
J.D. (1976) | Law
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Professional Experience
Partner
Houston & Totaro, Attorneys-at-Law
- Current
Director of Litigation
Passaic County Legal Aid Society
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Staff Attorney
Passaic County Legal Aid Society
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Speaking Engagements
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS REGULATORY RELIEF ACT OF 1995, Testimony Before the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking
United Stated Senate
Consumer Law, New Jersey State Bar Foundation Seminar
National Jersey State Bar Foundation
Consumer Law, New Jersey State Bar Foundation Seminar
National Jersey State Bar Foundation
Predatory Mortgage Cases: Settlement and Trial Issues, National Consumer Law Center Annual Conference
National Consumer Law Center
Protecting Workers and Consumers from Corporate Abuse, The Eric R. Neisser Public Interest Program, Rutgers Law School
Rutgers School of Law
Awards
Certificate of Appreciation - Meritorious Public Service
Supreme Court of New Jersey
Establishment of annual Madeline L. Houston Outstanding Attorney Award
Legal Services of New Jersey
In 1993 Legal Services of New Jersey established the “Madeline L. Houston Outstanding Attorney Award,” an award that is given annually to a Legal Services attorney who has provided exceptional service.
Ronald B. Atlas Award
Legal Services of New Jersey
Professional Associations
National Association of Consumer Advocates
Member
- Current
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New Jersey State Bar  # 010591976
Member
- Current
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New Jersey State Bar Association Ad Hoc Committee on Consumer Protection Law
Committee Member
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District Ethics Committee
Committee Member
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Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
New Jersey
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Fees
  • Contingent Fees
Practice Areas
Consumer Law
Class Action, Lemon Law
Civil Rights
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Discrimination, Employment, Fair Housing, Police Misconduct, Privacy Law
Legal Answers
Q. I’m trying to find an attorney to consult with regarding discrimination at chase bank?
A: There are a number of federal and state consumer protection statutes that might apply to your situation depending on the specific facts. If indeed there is evidence that a bank improperly closed your accounts and withheld funds it had no right to these laws could provide you the ability to retain an attorney willing to represent you on a contingency basis and to obtain relief from the bank for any wrongdoing. You should contact a Consumer Law attorney and be prepared to provide the specific facts of your situation as well as whatever documents you have that support your allegations.
Q. Am I responsible for payment of an exorbitant fee to Assisted Living facility that was the result of the facility error?
A: In order to answer this question an attorney would need to review any contracts signed by your mother and by you. Some violations of the law allow you to demand that your attorneys fees be paid by the defendant t in certain circumstances and if an attorney thinks you have such a case and it is strong they might take the case on a contingency. You should contact a consumer attorney .
Q. Can a discrimination suit be filed if unjustly banned from a Home Depot under false circumstances becuz im black ?
A: Discriminating against customers in the way you describe is a violation of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, which provides for compensatory damages, punitive damages, and payment of the plaintiff's attorneys' fees if the case prevails. An attorney considering filing such a suit would want to obtain further details from you regarding the events as well as review the evidence you indicate that you have (e.g., videos, receipts, communications from HD).
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Websites & Blogs
Website
Houston & Totaro, Attorneys-at-Law
Website
National Association of Consumer Advocates
Contact & Map
Houston & Totaro
277 Fairfield Road
Suite 200
Fairfield, NJ 07004
Telephone: (973) 228-6200
Fax: (973) 228-6213