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Madeline L Houston
About Madeline
Biography
My law partner Melissa Totaro and I represent consumers across New Jersey in cases involving predatory lending; mortgage servicing abuse; consumer fraud by automobile dealers and other types of businesses, and violations of numerous federal and state consumer protection laws. While we are located in Essex County, we use a combination of telephone conferences and e-mail communications, as well as face to face meetings, to obtain the information we need to make informed decisions about a case, in order to accommodate clients from all counties, and appear in courts throughout the state of New Jersey, state and federal.
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
Consumer Protection
100%
46 years
Fees and Rates
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in New York for 45 years
State: New York
Acquired: 1980
No misconduct found
Licensed in New Jersey for 49 years
State: New Jersey
Acquired: 1976
No misconduct found
Location
Houston & Totaro
277 Fairfield Rd Suite 200, Fairfield, NJ, 07004
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Madeline L Houston's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
2 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by Neil | June 19, 2018 | Consumer Protection
Attorney Reviews Ms. Houston
I am an attorney who has consulted and worked with Ms. Houston on several consumer cases. We worked on a case together in the Supreme Court of New Jersey. I have consulted with and requested Ms. Houston's opinion in my cases as well. Madeline Houston is the hardest-working consumer attorney in the...
Madeline L Houston's Lawyer Endorsements
"Madeline Houston helped usher in the field of consumer protection law in New Jersey and continues to expertly champion the rights of her clients. I had the privilege of working with her on several cases and learned that her reputation for excellence was well deserved. Clients will not find a more dedicated or committed advocate. Patricia M. Timlen"
"I have referred several cases to Madeline Houston and Melissa Totaro, and they have always done an excellent job. They are dedicated and tenacious."
"Madeline Houston has litigated some of the most important consumer-related cases in New Jersey. She is highly intelligent, tenacious, and a true consumer advocate."
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."
"Madeline is a leader in the field of consumer fraud. She is innovative and has brought cases which resulted in great decisions for NJ consumers. For example Madeline and her partner brought us the cases Troup v. Associates Home Equity and Gonzales v. Wilshire. These were not only great victories for their own clients but advanced the law for all consumers."
Experience
Honors
1997
Certificate of Appreciation - Meritorious Public Service, Supreme Court of New Jersey
1993
Est. of annual Madeline L. Houston Outstanding Attorney Award, Legal Services of New Jersey
1986
Ronald B. Atlas Award, Legal Services of New Jersey
Work Experience
1999 - Present
Partner, Houston & Totaro
1980 - 1998
Director of Litigation, Passaic County Legal Aid Society
1977 - 1980
Staff Attorney, Passaic County Legal Aid Society
Associations
2002 - Present
National Association of Consumer AdvocatesMember
2002 - 2002
New Jersey State Bar Association Ad Hoc Committee on Consumer Protection LawMember
1996 - 1997
District Ethics CommitteeMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Sandra Smith v. Hillside Village, 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 14022 (D.N.J. Jan. 26, 2018)
Plaintiff-tenant prevailed on motion: Landlord Counterclaim was dismissed
Anthony D’Agostino v. Ricardo Maldonado, 216 N.J. 168 (2013)
New Jersey Supreme Court held in accord with arguments in amicus brief
Gonzalez v. Wilshire Credit Corporation, 207 N.J. 557 (2011)
Homeowner prevailed on appeal
Delta Funding Corp. v. Harris, 189 N.J. 28 (2006)
Homeowner succeeded in invalidating several aspects of arbitration agreement
Laufer v. The United States Life Insurance Company in the City of New York, 385 N.J. Super. 172 (App. Div. 2006)
Insured prevailed on appeal
Scott v. Mayflower Home Improvement; BankAtlantic, FSB, 363 N.J.Super. 145 (Law Div. 2001)
Homeowners and class prevailed on motion
Associates Home Equity Services v. Troup, 343 N.J.Super. 254 (App. Div. 2001)
Homeowners prevailed on appeal
Lemelledo v. Beneficial Management Corporation of America, 150 N.J. 255 (1997)
New Jersey Supreme Court held in accord with arguments in amicus brief
Cox v. Sears Roebuck & Co., 138 N.J. 2 (1994)
New Jersey Supreme Court held in accord with arguments in amicus brief
Green v. Continental Rentals, 292 N.J.Super. 241 (Law Div. 1996)
Plaintiff prevailed on motion
Education
1976
Rutgers University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1970
City University of New York, Brooklyn College
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2014
Rutgers School of Law
Protecting Workers and Consumers from Corporate Abuse
2004
National Consumer Law Center Annual Conference
Predatory Mortgage Cases: Settlement and Trial Issues
2003
New Jersey State Bar Foundation Seminar
Consumer Fraud
2002
New Jersey State Bar Foundation Seminar
Consumer Fraud
1995
Testimony Before the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking
Truth in Lending Act
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
How can I get partial refund from a recent used car pucrhase in NJ?
25 Mar 2026
Q&A
Phh mortgage didn’t pay my taxes for 3 years and I was served with papers because of a tax lien? Can I sue
25 Apr 2025
Q&A
Truth In lending and Preying on the Elderly ?
17 Jun 2024