Volunteer Lawyers' Efforts Help Shine Light On Shoddy Mortage Servicing Practices In Foreclosure Actions

In Portland, Maine, The Portland Press Herald reports:

• Two Maine lawyers who help homeowners fight foreclosures may have contributed to a decision this week by one of the nation's largest mortgage-servicing companies to stop foreclosing on homes in 23 states, including Maine.

• Thomas Cox(1) of South Portland and Geoffrey Lewis of Fryeburg said Wednesday that the shoddy legal practices that led to the temporary halt appear to be common in an industry that is swamped by troubled loans. [...] Cox and Lewis volunteer with a legal defense group called Maine Attorneys Saving Homes. About 6,000 foreclosures a year have been filed recently in Maine, and the advocacy group estimates that only one in 10 homeowners is represented by a lawyer.

For more, see Maine lawyers help uncover mishandled foreclosures (Now they're trying to get a summary judgment in a GMAC case nullified to keep a Denmark woman in her home).

(1) For more on Thomas Cox, see Retired Maine Attorney Joins Fight Against Foreclosures; Volunteers Services With Local Legal Aid Program.