For the past 6 years, United Law Center has been dedicated to changing the laws for California homeowners. ULC is proud of all of the accomplishments listed here, and gives thanks to its amazing attorneys and staff members for their hard work and devotion they have given to this area of the law to achieve these accomplishments.

United Law Center was nominated for 2014 Consumer Attorney of the Year by the Consumer Attorney of California, formerly known as Trial Attorneys Association (CAOC) for significantly advancing the rights of California consumers and ULC’s landmark publication of Bushnell v. JPMorgan/Chase (3rd Dist. Ct. App. No. C070643).

$16 Million Jury Verdict award in Yuba County in the Linza v. PHH Mortgage case (which is currently on appeal at the 3rd District Court of Appeals).

(Published Decision 2015) Monterrosa v. Superior Court of California wherein Plaintiff filed a writ with the 3rd District Court of Appeals requesting direction be given to the Superior Court to award attorney’s fees to a prevailing party when they have successfully obtained an injunction in a foreclosure action.

(Published Decision 2015) Meixner v Wells Fargo Bank, Eastern District Court of California’s order denying Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss and sustaining a homeowner’s right to sue for negligence against a bank/servicer in federal court.

(Published Decision 2014) Pestana v. Bank of America N.A., 1st District Court of Appeal’s reversal of a lower court’s decision denying a cause of action under the unfair competition law (UCL) (Bus. & Prof. Code, Sect. 17200.).

(Published Decision 2013) Fuller v. First Franklin Corp. – on a fraud in the origination claim, the Court agreed that Plaintiff stated sufficient facts that the bank fraudulently concealed facts that would have put Plaintiff on notice that they were victims of predatory lending sufficient to invoke the delayed discovery rule to toll the statutes of limitations.

(Published Decision 2013) Bushnell v. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. – The court agreed that Plaintiff could state a case for Breach of Contract, Breach of the Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing, Promissory Estoppel, and Fraud based on the bank’s failure to provide Plaintiff with a permanent loan modification after he completed a HAMP Trial Payment Plan.

(Unpublished 2014) Graves v. Bank of America – the Court of Appeal held that because the statute of limitations on a Unfair Competition claim (B&P Code, section 17200) is 4 years, borrowers, who’s loan was originated in 2006 but could not have known of the fraudulent activities until 2008, could state a claim under 17200, even though all the other claims were time-barred.

(Unpublished 2014) Simmons v. Bank of America – tender is not a requirement where a borrower seeks injunctive relief based on a violation of Civ. Code s. 2923.5, and the trial court erred by taking judicial notice of anything but the existence of the declaration of compliance attached to the notice of default. As such, the complaint sufficiently alleged facts stating a cause of action under s 2923.5.

(Unpublished 2014) Akinshin v. Bank of America – On Demurrer, the trial court erred in reading the word “qualify” as having only one meaning, and that Plaintiffs sufficiently alleged that qualify meant receipt of a loan modification, not some interim step towards attaining a loan modification. As such, Plaintiffs sufficiently pleaded claims for fraud/deceit, negligent misrepresentation, promissory estoppel and unfair competition related to both loan origination and loan modification.

(Unpublished 2013) Sundquist v. Bank of America – the Court of Appeal held that Plaintiff stated sufficient facts to constitute various causes of action related to both loan origination and loan modification (granting leave to amend as to Promissory Estoppel) and that the trial court erred in sustaining the demurrer.

Currently working together with Attorney General Kamala Harris in civil prosecution, providing Amicus Brief on critical Appellate Court matters.

ULC has represented more than 1,000 individual homeowners.

Answered over 8,000 free questions through our Ask Steve for Free program.

Provided free no-time limit consultations to over 5,000 people. Attorney Stephen Foondos is one, if not the only, attorney to provide no time limit consultations without charge.

The Ask Steve for Free radio program (now on KFBK 1530 AM, 93.1 FM) for the last 4 years providing unique insight and advice to the public and callers.

PUBLISHED ARTICLES ABOUT ULC AND/OR STEPHEN FOONDOS

Published articles about ULC by: The National Trial Lawyers, New York Times, Bloomfield, The Sacramento Bee, Businessweek, News 10, Merced Sun-Star, KUBA radio, OccuWorld.com, Philadelphia Business Journal, Philadelphia Inquirer, Appeal- Democrat, Justizz.com, StopForeclosureFraud.com, KFBK, Fraud-News.com, US Finance Post, Mortgage Professional America, HousingWire, Mortgage Professional America, PizzyBankBlog.com, Mortgage News Update, Courier-Post, Mortgageorb.com, Philly.com, loansafe.org, Investment blog, WhichMortgage.com, TX Bankruptcy Blog, American Banker, California Real Estate Fraud, Mortgage Servicing News, Interest.com, DS News.

NEWSTORIES

Mandelman Matters Podcasts
ABC News Covers Linza trial
NBC reports on ULCs $16M victory
$16 million in Linza v. PHH jury trial
FOX40 Interview – Modification Fraud
Pestana v. Bank of America
Family Radio Interview
Capital Public Radio: Insight Program
KCRA Interviews Stephen Foondos
FOX40’s Paul Robins Interviews Stephen Foondos
CBS News Reports on One of ULC’s Victories
Glaski Increasing Rate and Value of ULC Cases
ULC Makes News in the Sacramento Business Journal