Author: Tanya Hobson-Williams

Appointed to the bench by the Board of Trustees in 2008, and elected in 2009, Tanya Hobson-Williams was the first African-American Female Justice in the Incorporated Village of Hempstead. Tanya Hobson–Williams obtained her B.A. in Government and Politics from St. John's University and her law degree from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. Tanya Hobson-Williams has an active elder law practice assisting senior citizens in obtaining Medicaid for Home Care and Nursing Home Care. She routinely lectures at senior citizen centers, assisted living facilities, law schools and counsels families on a variety of topics of concerns to families caring for the elderly.

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Tenants of Red Hook Apartment Sue Over Unlivable Conditions

Dozens of tenants living in an apartment in the neighborhood of Red Hook, Brooklyn, have sued their landlord after losing their Section 8 vouchers due to the poor maintenance of the building. The lawsuit alleges that the landlord failed to perform necessary repairs on the building, leading to unlivable conditions that have put the building on the path to demolition. However, tenants want emergency repairs, and want to be guaranteed housing to ensure they will not become homeless due to the poor living conditions in the building.

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Legal Issues Remain After Passing of Gene Hackman

Eugene Allen Hackman, or Gene Hackman as he was commonly known, passed away in February 2025, shortly after the death of his wife Betsy Arakawa. Although this tragedy is bad enough on its own, there are issues with their wills and Trusts that have raised serious legal concerns after their passing. Even worse, these documents were signed about two decades ago, making them potentially much harder to contest. Gene Hackman’s estate is estimated to be approximately $80 million dollars.

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Tanya Hobson-Williams Honored By 2025 Power Women of Queens

On Thursday, February 27, 2025, Tanya Hobson-Williams joined dozens of other women who were honored as the 2025 Power Women of Queens, an event intended to promote women who have shown themselves to be leaders and rising stars in Queens. Tanya was awarded for her distinguished excellence as an attorney, and was recognized for her work in high profile guardianship cases. Events like these highlight the importance of elevating women in their respective fields, and the impact they can have on their communities.

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Williamsburg Tenants Sue Landlord For Negligence

Tenants of an apartment building located in the neighborhood of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, NY, have sued their landlord due to alleged negligence, which has left the building nearly uninhabitable. Residents have leveled a number of complaints, including failures to address hazardous conditions or maintain basic utilities. The Tenants Association is hoping the city will intervene and take over management of the building to begin addressing some of these problems. Continue reading “Williamsburg Tenants Sue Landlord For Negligence”

What is Landlord Harassment, and What Can You Do About It?

Ideally, all landlords would treat their tenants with the respect and dignity they deserve, and always be mindful of tenants’ rights. However, some landlords engage in harassment against their tenants, which can make life more difficult and potentially impinge on a tenant’s legal rights. But what exactly is landlord harassment, and what can you do about it if it happens to you?

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Fight Over Murdoch Trust Reveals Estate Planning Issues

A legal fight over the family trust of media mogul Rupert Murdoch has resulted in a surprising loss for the billionaire, which could have significant implications for his family and his business empire. Murdoch, the owner of numerous television and newspaper companies, wanted to change the trust to favor one of his children over the others. However, he has lost the battle, showing the importance of proper and timely estate planning.

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Why Might You Need to Hire a Landlord-Tenant Lawyer?

While not everyone has a contentious relationship with their landlord, there is always the chance that they will face some kind of significant legal issue related to their apartment. When this happens, it is typically a good idea to hire a lawyer with experience handling disputes between landlords and their tenants. But why exactly might you need to hire a landlord-tenant lawyer?

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Understanding Your Right to Your Security Deposit

Under New York law, every tenant is entitled to have their security deposit returned to them after the end of their lease, unless it has been used to pay for repairs. Despite this, tenants often struggle to get their security deposit back from their landlords. What does it mean to have a right to your security deposit back, and what can you do when your landlord refuses to cooperate and give it back?

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What is a Good Cause Eviction in New York?

New York State recently implemented a new law known as the Good Cause Eviction Law, which went into effect on April 20, 2024. This law substantially changed the rules regarding evictions across the state, making it harder for landlords to excessively increase rent or force tenants out of their apartments without good reason. But what exactly is a “good cause” eviction, and how might that impact you?

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Five Things You Need to Know About the Right to Quiet Enjoyment

The right to quiet enjoyment is one of the fundamental rights that all tenants possess. Thanks to this essential legal doctrine, you can enjoy your apartment without unexpected intrusions. Here are five things you should know about the right to quiet enjoyment: