Roland Godfrey Ottley

The Ottley Law Firm, provides high quality legal services in all of our areas of concentration. Mr. Ottley is aggressive and passionate about the services that he provides. He regularly conducts research on the legal issues of his cases and always goes a bit extra to ensure that all issues are addressed to his satisfaction. Mr. Ottley listens to his clients and understands their situation and trys his best to address the case fully. He will file motions to obtain relief from the court and will appeal a court's decision when appropriate. We want our clients to feel like members of a team and so we keep them informed about their cases.

Villanova University School of Law

J.D. (1996)

1993 - present

St. John's University

B.S. (1989) | Physician Assistant Studies

1985 - 1989

Attorney

The Ottley Law Firm, P.C.

2004 - Current

Physician Assistant

One Brooklyn Health

2002 - Current

National physician Assistant Certification

Family Unity: A Guide to Biden’s ‘Parole-in-Place’ Initiative

The Ottley Law Firm, P.C.

July 5, 2024

Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practice Claims

The Ottley Law Firm, P.C.

May 18, 2022

What are my Rights as a Renter in New York?

The Ottley Law Firm, P.C.

May 13, 2022

Best Personal Injury Lawyers in Brooklyn

EXPERTISE

2024

Distinguished Lawyer

LAWYERS OF DISTINCTION

2024

AILA

Current

American Immigration Council

Current

New York State Bar  # 4194304

Member

2004 - Current

New York

New York State Office of Court Administration

ID Number: 4194304

Since 2004

2nd Circuit

Since 2015

US Court of Federal Claims

Since 2022

• Free Consultation
  A consultation fee of $150 is required for certain areas of our practice.
• Credit Cards Accepted
• Contingent Fees

• Federal Injury Litigation
• Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
• Deceptive Business Practice
• Parole in Place
• Humanitarian Parole

Q. Timeline for NY security deposit return after move-out?

April 14, 2025

A: Under New York General Obligations Law § 7-108, a landlord must return the tenant's security deposit, less any lawful deductions, within 14 days after the tenant has vacated the premises (moved out).

Itemized Statement: If the landlord deducts any amount from the security deposit, they must provide the tenant with an itemized statement within that same 14-day period. This statement must list each specific deduction and the reason for it.

Applying this to Your Situation:

You moved out on January 31, 2025.

Your landlord had until February 14, 2025 (14 days later) to either return your full deposit OR provide you with the itemized list of deductions explaining why the full amount wasn't being returned.

You mentioned your landlord did provide a written explanation and itemized list. The critical question is: When did you receive this list? Was it postmarked or delivered by February 14, 2025?

Consequences of Missing the Deadline:

If the landlord failed to provide the itemized statement within the 14-day timeframe, they may forfeit their right to retain any portion of the security deposit, regardless of whether there were damages or cleaning costs. ... Read More

Q. What can I do if the locks were changed and all my possessions were thrown out?

November 23, 2024

A: This appears to be an illegal eviction and destruction of property, with several legal violations given your specific circumstances.

1. Illegal Self-Help Eviction

- Your niece's actions constitute an illegal "self-help" eviction by changing locks and removing belongings without a court order

- Even as the new property owner, she must follow proper legal eviction procedures through the courts

- Being hospitalized/in rehab during this time adds additional legal protections

2. Improper Notice

- A text message is generally not considered proper legal notice for termination of tenancy

- As a long-term tenant (49 years), you likely have additional notice requirements and protections

- Your disability status may entitle you to reasonable accommodations in the eviction process

3. Property Destruction

- Disposing of your belongings without proper notice or opportunity to retrieve them is illegal

- You may be entitled to compensation for the full value of discarded possessions

- Document everything you can remember about the disposed items and their approximate value

Immediate steps you should take:

1. Document everything:

- Save all text messages, emails, and written communications

- Write down a timeline of events while fresh in your memory

- Make a detailed inventory of disposed belongings and their value

- Take photos of changed locks if possible

2. File police reports for:

- Illegal eviction

- Breaking and entering

- Theft/destruction of property

3. Seek emergency legal assistance:

- Contact your local legal aid organization

- Reach out to senior advocacy groups

- Consider contacting disability rights organizations

Potential legal remedies:

1. Emergency injunctive relief to:

- Regain immediate access to the property

- Prevent further disposal of belongings

- Require restoration of your occupancy

2. Civil lawsuit for damages including:

- Value of destroyed property

- Costs of temporary housing

- Emotional distress

- Statutory damages for illegal eviction

- Potentially treble (triple) damages due to willful misconduct

3. Criminal complaints:

- Many jurisdictions treat illegal evictions as criminal offenses

- Additional charges may apply for elder abuse/exploitation

Your status as a senior citizen with disabilities gives you additional legal protections and may make this case particularly serious under state elder abuse statutes. The combination of your long-term tenancy, disability status, and improper eviction while hospitalized makes this a particularly egregious case. ... Read More

Q. My landlord lives above me and makes excess noise daily. I have complained several times. They’ve acknowledged the noise

January 17, 2024

A: I would say that you would have a case for harassment and constructive eviction, amoung other possible claims. You seem to have the ability to measure and record the ambient sound from their apartment to record the chronic noncompliance. You should consult with a landlord tenant attorney. Good luck.