Case: United States v. Lakeland Bank

2:22-cv-05746 | U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey

Filed Date: Sept. 28, 2022

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

(This summary is temporary, while we research the case.)

On September 28, 2022, the United States brought this case against Lakeland Bank (Lakeland) in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey to to remedy discrimination in Lakeland’s residential mortgage lending. Plaintiff alleged that Lakeland had engaged in an unlawful pattern and practice of redlining between 2015 and 2020 in which the bank avoided providing home loans and other mortgage services in majority-Black and Hispanic neighborhoods, in violation of the FHA and ECOA. Plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief barring Defendant, its officers, agents, and those in concert or participation with them from discriminating on account of race, color, or national origin, and from neglecting their duty to remedy said discrimination.

In 2025, the Trump administration sought to reverse course on the previously settled consent decree.

This case is ongoing.

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/65381584/parties/united-states-v-lakeland-bank/


Judge(s)

Cecchi, Claire Claudia (New Jersey)

Attorney for Plaintiff

CAMPION, MICHAEL E. (New Jersey)

CAMPOS, MARTA (New Jersey)

Attorney for Defendant
Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

CUNNINGHAM, WILLIAM MICHAEL (New Jersey)

GEFFEN, BENJAMIN DAVID (New Jersey)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

2:22-cv-05746

Complaint and Jury Demand

Sept. 28, 2022

Sept. 28, 2022

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/65381584/united-states-v-lakeland-bank/

Last updated Sept. 25, 2025, 9:46 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against LAKELAND BANK with JURY DEMAND, filed by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Civil Cover Sheet)(MILLENKY, SUSAN) Modified on 9/28/2022 (dam). (Entered: 09/28/2022)

1 Exhibit A

View on PACER

2 Exhibit B

View on PACER

3 Exhibit C

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4 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

Sept. 28, 2022

Sept. 28, 2022

Clearinghouse
2

Letter from the United States Submitting Proposed Consent Order. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order, # 2 Certificate of Service)(MILLENKY, SUSAN) (Entered: 09/28/2022)

1 Text of Proposed Order

View on PACER

2 Certificate of Service

View on RECAP

Sept. 28, 2022

Sept. 28, 2022

RECAP

Judge Claire C. Cecchi and Magistrate Judge Edward S. Kiel added. (ps)

Sept. 28, 2022

Sept. 28, 2022

PACER

Add and Terminate Judges

Sept. 28, 2022

Sept. 28, 2022

PACER
3

SUMMONS ISSUED as to LAKELAND BANK. Attached is the official court Summons, please fill out Defendant and Plaintiffs attorney information and serve. (dam) (Entered: 09/29/2022)

Sept. 29, 2022

Sept. 29, 2022

PACER
4

CONSENT ORDER. Signed by Judge Claire C. Cecchi on 9/29/2022. (ld, ) (Entered: 09/29/2022)

Sept. 29, 2022

Sept. 29, 2022

RECAP

***Civil Case Terminated. (ld, )

Sept. 29, 2022

Sept. 29, 2022

PACER

Terminate Civil Case

Sept. 29, 2022

Sept. 29, 2022

PACER
5

OBJECTION to the Entry of the 4 Consent Order, by WILLIAM MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM. (Filing received via the ECF Help Desk E-mail) (wh) (Entered: 10/03/2022)

Sept. 30, 2022

Sept. 30, 2022

PACER
6

NOTICE of Appearance by MARTA CAMPOS on behalf of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (CAMPOS, MARTA) (Entered: 05/22/2025)

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

RECAP
7

Notice to be terminated and withdraw from Notices of Electronic filing as to case. Attorney SUSAN R. MILLENKY terminated. (MILLENKY, SUSAN) (Entered: 05/22/2025)

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

RECAP
8

Notice to be terminated and withdraw from Notices of Electronic filing as to case. Attorney MICHAEL E. CAMPION terminated. (CAMPION, MICHAEL) (Entered: 05/24/2025)

May 24, 2025

May 24, 2025

PACER
9

MOTION termination of consent order and dismiss with prejudice by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(CAMPOS, MARTA) (Entered: 05/28/2025)

1 Text of Proposed Order

View on RECAP

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

RECAP

Set Deadlines as to 9 MOTION termination of consent order and dismiss with prejudice. Motion set for 7/7/2025 before Judge Claire C. Cecchi. Unless otherwise directed by the Court, this motion will be decided on the papers and no appearances are required. Note that this is an automatically generated message from the Clerk`s Office and does not supersede any previous or subsequent orders from the Court. (lag, )

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

PACER

Set/Reset Motion and R&R Deadlines/Hearings

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

PACER
10

MOTION for Leave to Appear Amicus Curiae by New Jersey Citizen Action Education Fund, Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania, National Fair Housing Alliance. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order, # 2 Memorandum in Support of Motion for Leave to Participate as Amici Curiae, # 3 Exhibit A (Proposed Brief of Amici Curiae), # 4 Exhibit B (Declaration of Leila Amirhamzeh))(GEFFEN, BENJAMIN) (Entered: 06/01/2025)

1 Text of Proposed Order

View on RECAP

2 Memorandum in Support of Motion for Leave to Participate as Amici Curiae

View on RECAP

3 Exhibit A (Proposed Brief of Amici Curiae)

View on RECAP

4 Exhibit B (Declaration of Leila Amirhamzeh)

View on RECAP

June 1, 2025

June 1, 2025

RECAP
11

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania, National Fair Housing Alliance, New Jersey Citizen Action Education Fund. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order, # 2 Declaration of Dan Urevick-Ackelsberg)(GEFFEN, BENJAMIN) (Entered: 06/03/2025)

1 Text of Proposed Order

View on RECAP

2 Declaration of Dan Urevick-Ackelsberg

View on RECAP

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

RECAP
12

NOTICE of Appearance by JEHAN ASLAM PATTERSON on behalf of LAKELAND BANK (PATTERSON, JEHAN) (Entered: 06/09/2025)

June 9, 2025

June 9, 2025

RECAP

Magistrate Judge Stacey D. Adams added. Magistrate Judge E. S. Kiel no longer assigned to case. (jr)

June 9, 2025

June 9, 2025

PACER

Set Deadlines as to 10 MOTION for Leave to Appear Amicus Curiae. Motion set for 7/7/2025 before Magistrate Judge Stacey D. Adams. Unless otherwise directed by the Court, this motion will be decided on the papers and no appearances are required. Note that this is an automatically generated message from the Clerk`s Office and does not supersede any previous or subsequent orders from the Court. (and)

June 9, 2025

June 9, 2025

PACER

Set Deadlines as to 11 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Motion set for 7/7/2025 before Magistrate Judge Stacey D. Adams. Unless otherwise directed by the Court, this motion will be decided on the papers and no appearances are required. Note that this is an automatically generated message from the Clerk`s Office and does not supersede any previous or subsequent orders from the Court. (mj)

June 9, 2025

June 9, 2025

PACER
13

Letter from Jehan A. Patterson. (PATTERSON, JEHAN) (Entered: 06/12/2025)

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

RECAP
14

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice by LAKELAND BANK. (Attachments: # 1 Certification, # 2 Certification, # 3 Text of Proposed Order)(PATTERSON, JEHAN) (Entered: 06/13/2025)

1 Certification

View on RECAP

2 Certification

View on RECAP

3 Text of Proposed Order

View on RECAP

June 13, 2025

June 13, 2025

RECAP
15

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice by LAKELAND BANK. (Attachments: # 1 Certification, # 2 Certification, # 3 Text of Proposed Order)(PATTERSON, JEHAN) (Entered: 06/13/2025)

1 Certification

View on RECAP

2 Certification

View on RECAP

3 Text of Proposed Order

View on RECAP

June 13, 2025

June 13, 2025

RECAP
16

NOTICE of Appearance by ELI SEGAL on behalf of Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania, National Fair Housing Alliance, New Jersey Citizen Action Education Fund (SEGAL, ELI) (Entered: 06/13/2025)

June 13, 2025

June 13, 2025

RECAP
17

NOTICE of Appearance by JOHN S STAPLETON on behalf of Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania, National Fair Housing Alliance, New Jersey Citizen Action Education Fund (STAPLETON, JOHN) (Entered: 06/13/2025)

June 13, 2025

June 13, 2025

RECAP
18

NOTICE by Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania, National Fair Housing Alliance, New Jersey Citizen Action Education Fund re 10 MOTION for Leave to Appear Amicus Curiae (Notice of Supplemental Authority) (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A (Townstone Order))(GEFFEN, BENJAMIN) (Entered: 06/13/2025)

1 Exhibit A (Townstone Order)

View on RECAP

June 13, 2025

June 13, 2025

RECAP

Set Deadlines as to 14 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice , 15 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Motion set for 7/7/2025 before Magistrate Judge Stacey D. Adams. Unless otherwise directed by the Court, this motion will be decided on the papers and no appearances are required. Note that this is an automatically generated message from the Clerk`s Office and does not supersede any previous or subsequent orders from the Court. (sm)

June 17, 2025

June 17, 2025

PACER

Set Deadlines as to 14 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice, 15 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Motion set for 7/7/2025 before Magistrate Judge Stacey D. Adams. Unless otherwise directed by the Court, this motion will be decided on the papers and no appearances are required. Note that this is an automatically generated message from the Clerk`s Office and does not supersede any previous or subsequent orders from the Court. (sm)

June 17, 2025

June 17, 2025

PACER
19

ORDER granting 14 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice of D. JEAN VETA. N/M. Signed by Magistrate Judge Stacey D. Adams on 6/20/2025. (wh) Modified on 6/20/2025 (wh). (Entered: 06/20/2025)

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

RECAP
20

ORDER granting 15 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice of NIKHIL V. GORE. N/M. Signed by Magistrate Judge Stacey D. Adams on 6/20/2025. (wh) (Entered: 06/20/2025)

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

RECAP
21

Notice of Request by Pro Hac Vice D. Jean Veta to receive Notices of Electronic Filings. ( Pro Hac Vice fee $ 250 receipt number ANJDC-16398752.) (PATTERSON, JEHAN) (Entered: 06/20/2025)

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

RECAP
22

Notice of Request by Pro Hac Vice Nikhil V. Gore to receive Notices of Electronic Filings. ( Pro Hac Vice fee $ 250 receipt number ANJDC-16398773.) (PATTERSON, JEHAN) (Entered: 06/20/2025)

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

RECAP

10 MOTION for Leave to Appear Amicus Curiae no longer referred to the Magistrate Judge. Motion to be decided by the District Judge. (JB)

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

PACER
23

BRIEF in Opposition filed by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA re 10 MOTION for Leave to Appear Amicus Curiae (CAMPOS, MARTA) (Entered: 06/23/2025)

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

RECAP
24

BRIEF in Opposition filed by LAKELAND BANK re 10 MOTION for Leave to Appear Amicus Curiae (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Roxanne Camejo, # 2 Exhibit 1)(PATTERSON, JEHAN) (Entered: 06/23/2025)

1 Declaration of Roxanne Camejo

View on RECAP

2 Exhibit 1

View on RECAP

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

RECAP

Pro Hac Vice counsel, NIKHIL V. GORE and D. JEAN VETA, has been added to receive Notices of Electronic Filing. Pursuant to L.Civ.R. 101.1, only local counsel are entitled to sign and file papers, enter appearances and receive payments on judgments, decrees or orders. (sm)

June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

PACER
25

REPLY BRIEF to Opposition to Motion filed by Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania, National Fair Housing Alliance, New Jersey Citizen Action Education Fund re 10 MOTION for Leave to Appear Amicus Curiae (SEGAL, ELI) (Entered: 06/30/2025)

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

RECAP
26

NOTICE by Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania, National Fair Housing Alliance, New Jersey Citizen Action Education Fund Notice of Supplemental Authority (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A- USA v. Essa Bank & Trust, Memorandum)(SEGAL, ELI) (Entered: 07/24/2025)

1 Exhibit A- USA v. Essa Bank & Trust, Memorandum

View on RECAP

July 24, 2025

July 24, 2025

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory: New Jersey

Case Type(s):

Fair Housing/Lending/Insurance

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Reversing Course on Existing Litigation

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 28, 2022

Case Ongoing: Yes

Case Details

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)