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Iyen A. Acosta

Washington, DC Office

Iyen A. Acosta is a member whose practice focuses on representing public housing authorities, development entities, and management companies, as well as statewide and local organizations, in complex federal and state litigation and administrative proceedings as part of the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice. Iyen has extensive experience advising clients on fair housing and accessibility issues. Iyen also represents public housing authorities and developers engaged in affordable housing development using mixed-finance resources, and management companies whose portfolios include HUD and USDA Rural Development-assisted units.

  • Currently representing a housing authority in an Fair Housing Act (FHA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Section 504 dispute with the Department of Justice.
  • Currently representing multiple housing authorities in FHA, ADA, and Section 504 disputes with HUD.
  • Currently representing a developer in an FHA challenge in federal district court.
  • Currently representing a housing authority in an FHA and Moving to Work Program dispute.
  • Currently representing housing authority and property management clients regarding the administrative process for reasonable accommodation requests and fair housing complaints filed with state civil rights organizations and HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.
  • Represented federally qualified healthcare centers in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in various proceedings in federal court as well as bankruptcy proceedings under PROMESA.
  • Represented a housing authority in an FHA and Administrative Procedure Act (APA) challenge in federal district court. The case was settled favorably for the housing authority.
  • Concurrently represented a client in an APA case in federal district court and in various related administrative cases in USDA’s National Appeals Division regarding USDA’s Section 515 program. The cases were settled favorably for the client.
  • Represented a housing authority client in multiple petitions for judicial review cases in Maryland state court regarding the housing authority’s grievance process. The cases were settled.
  • Assisted with the representation of a housing authority in federal district court seeking an order requiring HUD to allow use of capital funds to support police services.  The case was settled.
  • Assisted with the representation of a housing authority opposing a motion for attorney’s fees.  The parties settled the motion for a fraction of the $128,000 requested by opposing counsel.
  • Assisted with the representation of a statewide housing advocacy organization in an amicus curiae appearance in New Jersey Appellate Division court. The case challenged taxation of housing authority-owned property by the city. The housing authority lost on summary judgment motions at trial and appealed. The amicus appearance was instrumental in securing a remand of the case for a trial on the merits.  The case was settled.
  • Assisted with the representation of a statewide affordable housing and community development professionals’ organization and seven member housing authorities in an amicus curiae appearance on behalf of the appellee housing authority in lead-based paint liability litigation. The case resulted in a favorable decision for the appellee housing authority in the Maryland Court of Appeals.

Education

Catholic University Columbus School of Law, J.D., cum laude

  • Editor, Catholic Law Review

University of Maryland, B.A. in Government and Politics, cum laude

Bar Admission

District of Columbia Bar

Maryland Bar

Also admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, and the United States Court of Federal Claims

Hometown

Fort Washington, MD