Civil Justice, Inc. (CJ) is pleased to announce the appointment of Cheryl Hystad as its new Executive Director effective April 22, 2013.

William Blackford, Chair of CJ's Board of Directors, said, "The organization is very excited and lucky to have Cheryl as its new leader.  She has great practice and related experience, comprehensive knowledge of consumer law, and is an extraordinary leader."

Most recently, Ms. Hystad worked as Director of Advocacy for the Maryland Legal Aid Bureau.  She is the former Executive Director of the Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition, as well as one of its founders, and has experience in private practice as a consumer lawyer.

In her position as Director of Advocacy at Legal Aid, she helped to develop and coordinate the Bureau's impact litigation, and was a mentor to Bureau attorneys and staff.  She also helped to develop and obtain funding for new Bureau programs, including its foreclosure legal assistance project.  For years, she has engaged in policy advocacy before the Maryland General Assembly on issues that impact low and moderate income individuals, particularly in the field of consumer rights.

Michael Millemann, a founder of CJ and current Board member, said "I am thrilled by Cheryl's decision to join us.  she is uniquely suited to lead is into the future."

Ms. Hystad received her JD with honors from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1983.

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Civil Justice at (410)706-0174 or by email at cj@civiljusticenetwork.org.

Civil Justice is pleased to offer its newest training course, "Identifying Fraudulent Tax Preparers" on Thursday, February 6th at 10 am at the University of Maryland Francis King Cary School of Law, Room 108.  This introductory training is designed to provide the practitioner with the essential tools needed to determine whether a client has claims against fraudulent tax preparers under MD Code, Commercial Law, §14-3801, the statue that mandates specific disclosures about Refund Anticipation Loans (RALs) or Refund Anticipation Checks (RACs).  The training is free of charge and no pro bono requirement is required.  For additional information or for a registration form, click here.

In the largest known jury award in a Maryland mortgage fraud case in Anne Arundel County history today, Annapolis mortgage broker Brian Blonder was found to have committed unfair and deceptive practices in arranging two toxic, mortgage loans for long-time resident Dennis F. Hollidayoke, now age 78.  The six-member jury of the Anne Arundel County found that Blonder violated the Maryland Consumer Protection Act, Maryland Finder's Fee Act, and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act in providing Mr. Hollidayoke with two loans within six month of each other, during the real estate boom.  Mr. Hollidayoke was awarded the sum of $342,103.40 in damages, not including attorney fees and costs owed to Hollidayoke, to be awarded at a later date.

"The evidence showed that Blonder arranged two payment option arm mortgages for Mr. Hollidayoke which were not suitable for his circumstances," explained Hollidayoke's attorney, and Of Counsel to Civil Justice, Phillip Robinson.  "In addition, the inflated fees charged by Blonder violated state and federal law.  As a result of these loans, Mr. Hollidayoke has essentially lost his home of more than 45 years to foreclosure."

Robert Strupp, Systemic Investigations Manager at the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, provided important expert testimony related to the sustainability of the payment option arm mortgages for homeowners similar to Mr. Hollidayoke.  He also provided testimony related to the status of Blonder's affiliated settlement business.  "If any of the other settlement service providers involved in Mr. Holllidayoke's transaction had been truly independent and neutral, these tragic transactions would not have likely occurred because no bono fide real estate professional would allow a vulnerable senior to be preyed upon like Mr. Hollidayoke was in this instance," said Strupp.

"This has been a nightmare for me," said Hollidayoke.  "Hopefully, now I can move forward and get my life back.  I certainly hope no one else ever has to live through what I have lived through."