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 complete

Case Summary

This case challenges an alleged pattern or practice of redlining by Lakeland Bank, a New Jersey-based financial institution, in violation of the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA).  On September 28, 2022, the United States filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, alleging that between 2015 and 2021 Lakeland intentionally avoided providing mortgage and home loan services in majority-Black and Hispanic neighborhoods throughout the Newar…

This case challenges an alleged pattern or practice of redlining by Lakeland Bank, a New Jersey-based financial institution, in violation of the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA). 

On September 28, 2022, the United States filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, alleging that between 2015 and 2021 Lakeland intentionally avoided providing mortgage and home loan services in majority-Black and Hispanic neighborhoods throughout the Newark metropolitan area. The complaint alleged that Lakeland’s assessment area under the Community Reinvestment Act excluded most majority-minority tracts in Essex, Union, and Somerset Counties, that all of its branches were located in majority-white neighborhoods, and that the bank made only about one-fifth as many loans in Black and Hispanic tracts as comparable lenders. According to the DOJ, these disparities were statistically significant each year, unjustified by business necessity, and reflected intentional exclusion from credit on the basis of race, color, and national origin.

On September 29, 2022, Judge Claire C. Cecchi approved a negotiated consent order resolving the case. Lakeland agreed to invest more than $13 million to expand mortgage access in Newark-area majority-minority neighborhoods, including a $12 million loan subsidy fund, the opening of two new full-service branches, and the hiring of four community-based loan officers. The bank also committed to spend $400,000 on community partnerships and $750,000 on targeted outreach and advertising, to adopt new fair-lending policies, and to retain an independent monitor reporting to the DOJ for five years. The order was entered the same day and the case was closed administratively.

Nearly three years later, following President Trump’s reelection and a change in DOJ leadership, the Department moved on May 28, 2025 to terminate the consent order and dismiss the case with prejudice, effectively seeking to end the decree’s supervision. On June 1, 2025, several civil-rights and fair-housing organizations—including the National Fair Housing Alliance, Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania, and New Jersey Citizen Action Education Fund—moved for leave to appear as amici curiae opposing the government’s motion, arguing that the decree remained vital to correcting ongoing disparities. Lakeland, represented by new counsel admitted pro hac vice, supported the motion for termination, asserting that it had met its obligations and that continued oversight was unwarranted.

Through the summer and fall of 2025, the court received multiple rounds of briefing, supplemental authority, and amicus submissions, including citations to United States v. Essa Bank & Trust (E.D. Pa. 2025). As of October 2025, Judge Cecchi had not ruled on either the motion to terminate or the amici’s participation requests. The consent order technically remains in force pending the court’s decision.

This case, once part of the DOJ’s “Combatting Redlining Initiative,” has become a test of whether a subsequent administration can dismantle existing civil-rights consent decrees.

The case remains ongoing.

Summary Authors

Jack Buckfire (11/4/2025)

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
4

2:22-cv-05746

Consent Order

Sept. 29, 2022

Sept. 29, 2022

Order/Opinion

Docket

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

Last updated Oct. 25, 2025, 2:10 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

View on PACER

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

Add and Terminate Judges

Sept. 28, 2022

Sept. 28, 2022

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

4

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

Sept. 29, 2022

Sept. 29, 2022

Clearinghouse

***Civil Case Terminated. (ld, )

Sept. 29, 2022

Sept. 29, 2022

Terminate Civil Case

Sept. 29, 2022

Sept. 29, 2022

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

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

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

Set/Reset Motion and R&R Deadlines/Hearings

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

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

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2 Declaration of Dan Urevick-Ackelsberg

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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

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

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

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)

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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

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

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

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

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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

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
27

ORDER Granting [11] Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice as to Daniel Urevick-Ackelsberg. Signed by Magistrate Judge Stacey D. Adams on 10/7/2025. (kes, )

Oct. 8, 2025

Oct. 8, 2025

RECAP
28

Notice of Request by Pro Hac Vice Daniel Urevick-Ackelsberg to receive Notices of Electronic Filings. ( Pro Hac Vice fee $ 250 receipt number ANJDC-16717356.) (GEFFEN, BENJAMIN)

Oct. 8, 2025

Oct. 8, 2025

RECAP

Pro Hac Vice counsel, DANIEL UREVICK-ACKELSBERG for Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania, DANIEL UREVICK-ACKELSBERG for National Fair Housing Alliance, DANIEL UREVICK-ACKELSBERG for New Jersey Citizen Action Education Fund, 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. (ld)

Oct. 9, 2025

Oct. 9, 2025

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

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

The United States of America Department of Justice

Plaintiff Type(s):

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Lakeland Bank, Private Entity/Person

Defendant Type(s):

Bank or credit provider

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), 15 U.S.C. § 1691

Fair Housing Act/Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601 et seq.

Other Dockets:

District of New Jersey 2:22-cv-05746

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Relief Sought:

Damages

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Content of Injunction:

Auditing

Comply with advertising/recruiting requirements

Develop anti-discrimination policy

Discrimination Prohibition

Monitoring

Provide antidiscrimination training

Recordkeeping

Reporting

Training

Amount Defendant Pays: $13,000,000

Issues

Discrimination Area:

Housing Sales/Rental

Lending

Discrimination Basis:

National origin discrimination

Race discrimination

Affected Language(s):

Spanish

Affected Race(s):

Black