Peter Silva is a zealous advocate for consumers, workers, and individuals whose rights have been violated by the government, employers, and financial institutions. Over the last decade, Peter has successfully represented clients in civil rights, consumer protection, and foreclosure defense cases in negotiations, mediations, arbitrations, and at trial in state and federal courts and before various administrative agencies.Peter’s work on behalf of Maryland, D.C. and Virginia homeowners has prevented dozens of foreclosures through loan modifications, settlements, and litigation. Peter not only defends foreclosures, but countersues for violations of state and federal lending and servicing laws. Peter has successful brought and defended lawsuits against America’s biggest banks and mortgage servicers including Wells Fargo, Bank of America, U.S. Bank, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Mr. Cooper/Nationstar Mortgage, Bayview Loan Servicing, and Ocwen Loan Servicing. Through aggressive litigation and creative settlement solutions, Peter has obtained millions of dollars in damages and savings for his clients including principal and interest reductions, write-downs, and deficiency waivers. Peter’s extensive knowledge of the foreclosure and loan modification processes, mortgage servicing industry and applicable state and federal laws including the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) and Truth-in-Lending (TILA) allows him to provide clients with upfront and straightforward assessments of their options so that they can make an informed decision.Peter has worked with local, state, and federal governments and non-profit entities to strength legal protections of consumers. Peter is a member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates.

Represented plaintiffs in employment and public accommodations discrimination litigation under federal and state non-discrimination laws. Conducted research on complex issues of law and compose memorandum of law evaluating the viability of client claims. Draft portions of appellate petitions and pleadings in federal court. Offered recommendations in strategic planning sessions for settlement negotiations.

Significantly reduced agency backlog of cases by efficiently investigating and analyzing potential employment discrimination claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Americans with Disabilities Act, and Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Independently conducted witness interviews, performed legal research, and requested and reviewed discovery. Wrote memorandum analyzing complainant claims under applicable statutes and offered recommendations for final agency decisions to Deputy Director.

Wrote memorandum analyzing judicial opinions of potential nominees to the US Supreme Court and Circuit Courts of Appeals detailing which nominees the organization should support. Authored position papers on complex legal issues addressed in cases before the United States Supreme Court. Performed statutory interpretation of proposed legislation.

Supported a heavy caseload by performing legal research and drafting substantive and procedural orders. Attended court proceedings including evidentiary hearings and jury trials. Played a pivotal role in preventing a case from being overturned on appeal by discovering and interpreting sections of the Florida Constitution as it relates to the discoverability of medical records in a medical malpractice suit.

Composed answers, motions to dismiss, and motions to compel discovery. Drafted an appeal of an administrative decision in a wrongful termination case identifying a reversible error in the administrative law judge’s application of the legal standard of review. Second-chaired in administrative hearings and wrote cross-examination questions based on opposing witnesses direct examination. Wrote closing arguments for administrative hearings in workers’ compensation and employee termination cases.