Halloween is supposed to be a time of fun and dress up. However, that is not the case if you are a law firm that specialized in foreclosures. One law firm is in trouble for a few photos that escaped into the hands of the New York Times. This is not the first time the Amherst law firm has been in trouble for something and is currently under investigation for current business practices.
The pictures were not just random and the firm is being criticized because it looks like the law firm was making fun of the people it represents. This law firm is the largest in the state and serves a lot of people in the community. The photos were from an ex-employee of the law firm who actually emailed the photos to the New York Times Columnist. The top manager of the firm even said in his own words that the pictures were “in poor taste.”
Since these Halloween pictures were taken and released to the New York Times, the costume policy has been changed. Steve J. Baum is the top manager of the firm and he continues to make sincere apologies to the public. “On behalf of the firm, I sincerely apologize for what happened last year at our Halloween party,” Baum said. Steve Baum was also clear that “No one is permitted to wear a costume that could be interpreted as being offensive.” Employees of the law firm will have to be extra careful during the company Halloween parties from here on out.
It should also be publicly known that not all employees of the law firm were out to mock foreclosure victims. The irony behind law firm employees decorating the party with foreclosure style decoration, hits too close to home for those who are actually going through a foreclosure. The public should also note that this incident was from the 2010 company Halloween party. No one is sure of what happened in the 2011 company Halloween party in regards to costumes.
As mentioned earlier, the law firm is undergoing an investigation by the Attorney General’s Office. The law firm has been fined and also settled on changing the way it practices law. No one is 100% why this law firm is under such scrutiny. However, it is clear that part of the reason is dealing with improper handling of mortgage assignments and filing misleading affidavits.
Since the release of the New York Times story on the matter, several people have commented and were appalled by what they saw. The law firm publicly represents those who are undergoing a foreclosure but privately mocks the people they represent.
With all of this being said, there is not much anyone can do but be further cautious about the Halloween costumes that are worn in public.