Negotiation

Housing discrimination claims are often settled through negotiation. MILLER O'BRIEN CUMMINS, PLLP has obtained substantial monetary settlements for our clients, enabling them to purchase homes. We also have secured extensive non-monetary relief, such as the dismissal and expungement of retaliatory eviction actions and the adoption of anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies by large-scale housing providers.

Litigation

When litigation proves necessary, we vigorously prosecute fair housing cases on behalf of our clients. We have successfully pursued fair housing claims in federal and state court as well as in administrative proceedings of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). We have also helped to shape fair housing law in Minnesota in reported cases, such as SternJohn, et al. v. Kreisler, et al., 238 F.Supp.2d 1104 (D. Minn. 2003). In that case, we ultimately secured a judgment of nearly $1.1 million when the economic damages were virtually non-existent. This is the largest judgment ever obtained in Minnesota for one family in a housing discrimination case.

We also have done considerable pro bono work to address the fair housing dimensions of the affordable housing crisis in Minnesota and elsewhere.