Profile
Leah N. Jacob's practice focuses on managing the prosecution and defense of consumer finance matters, with an emphasis on financial services litigation. She represents numerous financial clients, including major banking institutions and mortgage loan servicers, before the state and federal courts of New York and New Jersey and the United States Bankruptcy Court. Leah’s practice encompasses all aspects of litigation, from the pleading stage through judgment, or resolution by settlement. Well-versed in a multitude of regulatory issues, including those related to the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations, Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB) regulations, and other state and federal laws, Leah uses a practical and collaborative approach to navigate legal issues for her clients.
Concentrations
- Creditors rights
- Lender liability
- Consumer protection laws
- Regulatory authorization and financial institutions
- Financial services litigation
- Bankruptcy
- Commercial litigation
The attorney is providing legal services through and affiliated with Greenberg Traurig, LLP, a New York Limited Liability Partnership. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Capabilities
Experience
- Bythewood v. New York, No. 22-2542-CV, 2023 WL 6152796 (2d Cir. Sept. 21, 2023) (after argument before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, obtained order affirming dismissal of District Court case under doctrines of immunity and Rooker-Feldman).
- Naimoli v. Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, 613 F. Supp. 3d 681 (W.D.N.Y. 2020) (argued before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals seeking affirmance of lower court order dismissing claims under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA)).
- Iris Graham, et al. v. HSBC Mortg. Corp., et al., No. 18-cv-4196, 2019 WL 3066399 (S.D.N.Y. July 12, 2019) (obtained dismissal of fraud claims arising out of alleged misrepresentations at origination of mortgage loan).
- Deering v. Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, No. 1:18-CV-01343-EAW, 2019 WL 4253999, at *7 (W.D.N.Y. Sept. 6, 2019) (obtained dismissal of claims for fraud and intentional infliction of emotional distress).
- In re Holmes, No. 19-23497 (SHL), 2020 WL 4279576 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. July 24, 2020) (obtained dismissal of claims for fraud and intentional infliction of emotional distress under the Rooker-Feldman doctrine and Res Judicata).
- In Re Todd Ruffalo, Case No. 18-22763 (Bankr. SDNY 2020) (obtained dismissal of adversary complaint under the Rooker-Feldman doctrine).
- Freedom Mortg. Corp. v. Engel, 37 N.Y.3d 1, 169 N.E.3d 912, reargument denied, 37 N.Y.3d 926, 169 N.E.3d 1229 (N.Y. Court of Appeals 2021) (briefed appeal to the New York Court of Appeals regarding interpretation of the New York statute of limitations as it relates to acceleration of mortgage loans).
- Deutsche Bank Tr. Co. Americas v. Gonzales, 215 A.D.3d 636, 636, 188 N.Y.S.3d 72, 74 (2d Dep’t 2023) (after argument before the Appellate Division, obtained appellate court affirmance of order declining to dismiss action for failure to prosecute and to award interest).
- Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Lee, 208 A.D.3d 1384, 1386, 175 N.Y.S.3d 309, 312 (2d Dep’t 2022) (after argument before the Appellate Division, obtained appellate court affirmance of order restoring action and obtained reversal of portion of order awarding interest to defendant).
- Wells Fargo, Nat'l Ass'n v. Parker, 210 A.D.3d 1128, 1129, 180 N.Y.S.3d 191, 192 (2d Dep’t 2022) (after argument before the Appellate Division, obtained appellate court affirmance of order declining to vacate default to allow a late answer to complaint).
- HSBC Bank USA, Nat'l Ass'n v. Ranasinghe, 199 A.D.3d 993, 154 N.Y.S.3d 787, 788 (2d Dep’t 2021) (after argument before the Appellate Division, obtained appellate court affirmance of order declining to dismiss action for failure to prosecute).
- Deutsche Bank Nat'l Tr. Co. v. Dicerbo, 204 A.D.3d 884, 164 N.Y.S.3d 829 (2d Dep’t 2022) (after argument before the Appellate Division, obtained appellate court order restoring action and reversing lower court order dismissing action).
- HSBC Bank USA, N.A. v. Burns, 187 A.D.3d 864, 132 N.Y.S.3d 157, 159 (2d Dep’t 2020) (after argument before the Appellate Division, obtained appellate court affirmance of an order declining to dismiss complaint on the ground that the mortgage was obtained under false pretenses and is void ab initio).
- In re Thilman, 557 B.R. 294 (Bankr. E.D.N.Y. 2016) (after argument before the Bankruptcy Court, obtained order finding that trustee would not be allowed to present expert testimony regarding prospective buyers and lenders' alleged duty to inquire into possibly fraudulent character of any no-consideration deed in chain of title).°
- Conducted an independent investigation of client practices to provide compliance advice and risk assessment and to assist with preparing responses to government and regulatory investigations and inquiries.°
- Defended and advised clients facing litigation and business risks under consumer banking laws, including the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), Regulation Z, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) regulations, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), Regulation X, N.Y. Banking Law, and Deceptive Practices Act.°
- Represented clients in Chapter 13 and Chapter 7 bankruptcy matters, and adversary proceedings, including those relating to discharge injunction violations and fraudulent conveyance of real property under the Bankruptcy Code.°
- Obtained favorable decisions for clients, including shielding banks and loan servicers from various claims of bad faith and fraud, and obtained dismissal of claims concerning TILA/Regulation Z, FDCPA, and HUD’s face-to-face interview requirement.°
- Represented pro bono clients seeking asylum.°
°The above representations were handled by Ms. Jacob prior to her joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
Credentials
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J.D., cum laude, New England School of Law
- Associate Editor, Journal of International and Comparative Law
- B.S., University of Connecticut
- New Jersey
- New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey