Dear Friend,
Welcome to the September edition of the Legal Aid and Defender newsletter. Read below for details on two community-based events.
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 Town Hall Meeting About Land Contract Issues Sept. 24
Legal Aid and Defender Association (LAD) will hold a free public meeting to warn and educate residents of Detroit about the dangers of purchasing homes on land contracts in Detroit and Wayne County on Saturday, September 24 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Plymouth United Church of Christ, 600 E. Warren Ave. in Detroit (view map).
The meeting will feature a panel of speakers who will discuss land contract law in Michigan as well as answer questions from residents. LAD attorneys will be present to provide advice to individual residents regarding land contract issues.
Currently, LAD is representing victims of what appears to be a major residential property scam in the city and the county. Out-of-state companies appear to be in the business of buying thousands of foreclosed homes for as little as a dollar each, then selling them to residents on land contracts for thousands of dollars without informing purchasers about past-due property taxes, utility bills or other liens on the homes that become the responsibility of the new owners. In some cases, this can mean that the new owner owes several thousand dollars in taxes and utility bills on the home.
LAD has filed a lawsuit in Wayne County Circuit Court in such a case claiming damages of more than $25,000 and is preparing to file additional lawsuits on behalf of other purchasers of these land contracts.
LAD has learned that these companies may be involved in similar operations in Cleveland and other major U.S. cities.
"We have opened several of these cases in recent months, which usually indicates that there could be hundreds of residents in Detroit and Wayne County who are victims of this scam," Deierdre L. Weir, LAD president and CEO, said. "We want to get the word out to residents to be on the alert if they are purchasing a home on a land contract."
"We work with clients in a comprehensive manner, so that as we solve their legal problems, we help solve other problems as well," Weir said. "We help people rebuild their lives and help families stay together."
Want to learn more about land contracts? Attend this LAD Town Hall on Saturday, September 24 at 10 a.m.
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Annual Awards Reception Nov. 3
Mark your calendar for Legal Aid and Defender's (LAD) inaugural Annual Awards Reception and fundraiser set for Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011 5:30-7:30 pm at the beautiful A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education at 485 W. Milwaukee in Detroit. The Center is part of the College for Creative Studies and is located in the New Center area.
 Attorneys will receive recognition for exceptional volunteer service through LAD's Private Attorney Involvement Program. Other awards will be presented to attorneys for outstanding service to the community.
A strolling dinner and cash bar will begin at 5 pm with the awards ceremony starting sharply at 6 pm. Valet parking will be available.
Tickets are $50 with proceeds going toward legal representation for low-income clients.
For more information or to purchase tickets contact Tanya Cleveland at 967-6508 or tclevel@ladadtroit.org. More details are forthcoming.
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