The Homeowner Stability Project provides legal assistance to New York City homeowners of modest means threatened with the loss of their homes and addresses systemic racial inequity in the ownership of residential properties.      

Andrew Lichtman and Florian Fhurimann have been engaged in complex litigation on a case referred to the Homeowner Stability Project by the Queens District Attorney after the D.A.’s office conducted a criminal investigation into the matter. Our client, and his sibling, both elderly, are victims of deed theft. Both siblings inherited their home from their parents. But when the client’s brother, who had been physically residing in the home, was relocated to assisted care after suffering a massive stroke, leaving him unable to speak or write, several unscrupulous individuals took advantage of the vacant home. Those individuals held themselves out as the brothers, hired a broker and an attorney, and then sold the home to an investor.   

Andrew and Florian are fierce advocates, and they have worked tirelessly to bring a quiet title action to undo the fraudulent sale. To ensure that our client had every possibility of obtaining justice, they brought actions against all the various parties involved in the transfer – the brokers, the title companies, the lender, the purchasers, and the attorneys. They also requested that our client’s brother, who unfortunately remains incapacitated to this day, be appointed a guardian ad litem to ensure proper representation in the quite title action.      

While some volunteers shy away from complex litigation, Andrew and Florian have never backed down. We applaud them for their excellent legal advocacy and their commitment to assisting those so often taken advantage of by predatory practices, and honored to present them with 2023 Outstanding Pro Bon Service Award.