Profile
Representative Matters
Publications
Personal

Fernando C. Rivera-Maissonet has more than a decade of experience actively counseling financial institutions on various legal issues, including litigated foreclosure, declaratory judgment, quiet title and breach of contract actions, and complaints brought by the New York State Department of Financial Services. He regularly defends financial institutions in claims based on consumer protection statutes such as the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), New York General Business Law § 349, and New York Banking Law §§ 6-l and 6-m, among others.

From intake to resolution, Fernando keeps his clients closely informed throughout the litigation process. By evaluating risk and settlement alternatives, Fernando provides his clients with strategies and cost-effective solutions tailored to their business objectives.

Fernando is co-chair of the firm’s Hispanic Latino Affinity Network (HLAN). He is also an alumnus of the American Bar Association's 2024 Collaborative Bar Leadership Academy. Before joining the firm, he was a senior associate attorney at a financial services litigation firm.

Professional Affiliations

  • Hispanic National Bar Association
    • Business Law Section, Chair, 2023 – 2024; Vice Chair, 2022 – 2023
    • Litigation and Dispute Resolution Section
  • Mortgage Bankers Association
  • Conference on Consumer Finance Law (CCFL)

Honors & Awards

Representative Matters

Mortgage Lender Litigation

  • Statute of Limitations: Successfully defended lender before the appellate division against allegations that the lender's foreclosure action was time-barred based on the language of a pre-commencement letter.
  • Standing to Foreclose: Successfully defended against motions to dismiss lenders' actions for lack of standing to foreclosure and for sanctions, which were affirmed on appeal by the New York Appellate Divisions.
  • Improper Trial Court Orders: Successfully vacated several dispositive trial court orders issued pursuant to improper statutory grounds, including CPLR §§ 3215(c), 3216, 3404, and thereby allowed the lenders to continue the prosecution of the action and not be subject to a potential loss of lien.

Blog Posts

Personal

Fernando is an active member of a New York City-based running club and a finisher of the 2017 and 2019 NYC Marathons.

Community/Civic Activities

  • Journey's End Refugee Services, Inc., Former Volunteer

Industries

J.D., SUNY Buffalo Law School, 2010

B.S., University of Dayton, 2007