Foley Secures Favorable Settlement for Pro Bono Client in Wrongful Eviction and Theft Case

Foley & Lardner LLP recently secured a favorable settlement on behalf of a pro bono client in Texas in a case involving wrongful eviction and theft of property.

The case involved a single mother who was fleeing an abusive domestic relationship. She had briefly rented a home but was wrongfully evicted after refusing to pay charges that were not included in her rental agreement, including some that arose prior to her tenancy. During the eviction process, authorities wrongfully detained her, and all of her personal possessions were stolen.

In the summer of 2024, Foley accepted the case pro bono through the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program. Foley attorneys worked with the client to revise legal claims she had previously filed pro se, bring the defendant into court, and obtain a court order for mediation. During the court-ordered mediation, the parties agreed to settle all claims on terms favorable to the client. These terms included an upfront payment to help replace essential personal items, along with monthly payments over the next two years to compensate for the loss of property and the mental and emotional distress caused by the defendant’s actions.

The Foley team included senior counsel Michael Ryan and associate Austin Falcon, with contributions from associates Angelique Howard and Victoria Breese.