New York's Attorney General shut down a firm that took money from tenants facing eviction — and never showed up to court.
What Happened
On May 21, 2026, Attorney General Letitia James shut down Tenants Counsel Network (TCN), operating as Consumer Legal Group, PC. The firm targeted New York City tenants at their most vulnerable moment: right after receiving an eviction notice.
The scheme worked like this: TCN scraped data from NYC Housing Court's electronic filing system and sent mailers to tenants with active eviction cases. The letters looked urgent and official. More than 35,000 were sent across the city. Over 1,100 were signed by the name of a completely fictitious attorney — a person who did not exist.
Tenants who signed up were locked into monthly subscription fees. After that — silence. Attorneys missed court appearances repeatedly. In dozens of documented cases, tenants showed up to housing court alone, without representation. Some paid for months without ever speaking to a real lawyer.
Under the settlement, TCN must close by July 31, 2026, refund $172,257 to former clients — some receiving more than $3,000 — and pay $35,000 in penalties to New York State. TCN's founder Aryeh Weber must also close his law office and resign from practicing law in New York.
Who Is Consumer Legal Group, PC?
Tenants Counsel Network operated under the registered business name Consumer Legal Group, PC. If you see either name on a contract, a bank charge, or court documents listing your attorney of record — it is the same firm. The AG's settlement covers clients of both names.
What To Do Right Now
If you paid TCN: the AG's office is overseeing refunds. Watch for outreach at ag.ny.gov or call the AG's consumer helpline.
If you received a letter from an unfamiliar law firm before your court date: do not pay immediately. New York City funds free legal representation for low-income tenants facing eviction through the Universal Access to Counsel program. Call 311 and say "tenant legal services" — or go to the help desk at Housing Court on the day of your hearing.
Red flags of a predatory tenant law firm:
- The letter arrived shortly after court papers were filed against you
- The firm offers a "monthly subscription" instead of a flat fee per case
- You cannot reach a specific named attorney by phone
- Testimonials on the website have no full names or verifiable details
Context
Eviction rates in NYC are creeping back toward pre-pandemic highs — more than 19,000 cases in 2025, with roughly 5,000 already filed by April 2026. Only about half of tenants eligible for a free attorney through the city's program actually receive one. That gap is exactly what TCN exploited.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I paid TCN? Check your bank statements for payments to "Consumer Legal Group" or "Tenants Counsel Network." If you signed a monthly subscription agreement for tenant legal services, you were likely a TCN client.
How do I request a refund? The AG's office is contacting former clients directly. You can also reach out proactively at ag.ny.gov or call the AG's consumer helpline. Some clients are owed more than $3,000.
Is Consumer Legal Group PC still operating? No. Under the settlement, TCN must stop representing clients and fully close by July 31, 2026. If TCN is currently your attorney of record in an active case, you should seek replacement counsel immediately — TCN is required to give you at least 60 days' written notice.
Where can I get free legal help instead? Call 311 and say "tenant legal services." The city's Universal Access to Counsel program provides free attorneys to low-income tenants in Housing Court.
Sources: Office of the New York State Attorney General, press release May 21, 2026; City Limits, May 29, 2026. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
