Madeline Houston

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.

Rutgers School of Law-Newark

J.D. (1976) | Law

1973 - 1976

Partner

Houston & Totaro, Attorneys-at-Law

1999 - Current

Director of Litigation

Passaic County Legal Aid Society

1980 - 1998

Staff Attorney

Passaic County Legal Aid Society

1977 - 1980

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS REGULATORY RELIEF ACT OF 1995, Testimony Before the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking

May 24, 1995

United Stated Senate

Consumer Law, New Jersey State Bar Foundation Seminar

July 1, 2002

National Jersey State Bar Foundation

Consumer Law, New Jersey State Bar Foundation Seminar

July 1, 2003

National Jersey State Bar Foundation

Predatory Mortgage Cases: Settlement and Trial Issues, National Consumer Law Center Annual Conference

November 7, 2004

National Consumer Law Center

Protecting Workers and Consumers from Corporate Abuse, The Eric R. Neisser Public Interest Program, Rutgers Law School

October 22, 2014

Rutgers School of Law

Certificate of Appreciation - Meritorious Public Service

Supreme Court of New Jersey

1997

Establishment of annual Madeline L. Houston Outstanding Attorney Award

Legal Services of New Jersey

1993

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

1986

National Association of Consumer Advocates

Member

2002 - Current

New Jersey State Bar  # 010591976

Member

1976 - Current

New Jersey State Bar Association Ad Hoc Committee on Consumer Protection Law

Committee Member

2002 - 2002

District Ethics Committee

Committee Member

1996 - 1997

New Jersey

Since 1976

• Contingent Fees

Q. I’m trying to find an attorney to consult with regarding discrimination at chase bank?

May 3, 2024

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?

August 6, 2019

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 ?

May 10, 2019

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).