Washington, D.C., July 13, 2017 - Tzedek DC and coalition partners have sent a letter to the Council of the District of Columbia urging the Council to move forward with key legislation to protect residents from debt collection lawsuit abuses. The letter notes that “debt collection tactics used against District residents are of particular concern given the civil rights and racial justice aspects of the issues surrounding debt collection lawsuits: as a 2016 report by Pro Publica concluded: ‘Black communities are hit much harder by debt collection lawsuits than white ones, even in places where black households and white households have similar incomes.’” The full letter is here: Debt Buying Limitation Amendment Act of 2017 Support Letter
Tzedek DC Receives 2017 Access to Justice Grant from DC Bar Foundation
Washington, D.C., April 25, 2017 – Tzedek DC, a non-profit consumer protection legal aid organization headquartered at the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, has been awarded a 2017 Access to Justice Grant from the DC Bar Foundation, the leading funder of civil legal aid in the District of Columbia. This funding, which provides $47,000 of support for the May 1 – December 31, 2017 time period, will help Tzedek DC fund a full-time staff attorney to further its mission of safeguarding the rights low-income DC residents facing debt-related legal problems. The DC Bar Foundation’s announcement noted that “Tzedek DC received new funding to assist low-income DC residents in debt-related legal matters. Tzedek DC will help DC residents avoid the effects of a negative court judgment and bad credit report, such as losing their driver’s license, seizure of their bank account, impossible payment plans, and the inability to obtain employment. Tzedek DC will also conduct community outreach by partnering with the United Planning Organization…” The Foundation’s full announcement can be found here: https://dcbarfoundation.org/grants/our-grantees/
Tzedek DC Launches as First Legal Services Group Organized by Washington Jewish Community
Tzedek DC, the first non-profit legal services organization sponsored by the Washington Jewish community, is now a full-time public interest center at the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, announced Katherine “Shelley” Broderick, Dean of the School of Law, and Tzedek DC’s Board Chair Irvin Nathan.
Tzedek DC Launches as Center at UDC To Serve People Facing Debt-Related Legal Crises
Tzedek DC, a non-profit organization with the mission of safeguarding the rights of low-income DC residents facing often unjust debt collection lawsuits and other predatory consumer crises, is now a full-time public interest center at the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, announced Katherine “Shelley” Broderick, Dean of the School of Law, and Tzedek DC’s Board Chair Irvin Nathan.