Brown, Goldstein & Levy partner Andrew Freeman was quoted by The Baltimore Banner and The Daily Record after the Circuit Court for Baltimore City ruled that Westminster Management, one of the nation’s largest landlords, owes over $4 million, plus interest, to tenants whom it charged illegal fees relating to the late payment of rent. Andy is one of the lead attorneys representing the tenants in the suit.
On Tuesday, July 7, 2026, the court granted summary judgment in favor of a class of over 17,000 Maryland tenants on liability and damages, finding that Westminster Management, the property management arm of Kushner Companies, unlawfully charged illegal late-payment and court-related fees in violation of Maryland law and the terms of its leases. The court awarded tenants damages of $4.17 million plus interest that will exceed $2 million, rejected Westminster’s defenses, denied Westminster’s motion to decertify the class, and permanently enjoined Westminster from collecting or attempting to collect any unpaid illegal fees.
The ruling builds on BGL’s 2024 victory for the tenants in the Supreme Court of Maryland, which held that Westminster’s charges related to the late payment of rent violated state law. Following that decision, in 2025, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City certified the case as a class action. The class includes all current and former tenants at Westminster-managed properties in Maryland who have been charged fees related to the late payment of rent since 2014 and who paid those fees.
In both publications, Andy—who represents the tenants—said they were grateful the judge saw through what he described as the Westminster’s “efforts to obfuscate and delay.”
As he explained in The Daily Record, in light of the Maryland Supreme Court’s earlier ruling in the tenants’ favor, “the trial court found the damages were simple math, adding up the illegal fees paid by tenants.”
“While there are several more steps before money can be distributed, we look forward to the day when current and former Westminster tenants finally receive the damages they are owed and Westminster is held accountable for its illegal, predatory behavior,” Andy told The Baltimore Banner.
In addition to Andy, the tenants in this case are represented by Brown, Goldstein & Levy attorneys Anisha Queen, Lauren Kelleher, and Alisha Jarwala, along with co-counsel C. Matthew Hill of the Public Justice Center and Chelsea Ortega, Jane Santoni, and Matthew Thomas Vocci of Santoni, Vocci & Ortega, LLC.
Read more about the lawsuit here.
ABOUT ANDREW FREEMAN
A talented trial lawyer, Andy is well known and highly regarded for obtaining justice by mastering the relevant law and getting to know his clients, their problems, and the evidence in their cases. Other lawyers bring him cases that present complicated combinations of law and facts or that require making new law. Andy has been a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers since 2014. His many accolades include being recognized consistently by Chambers USA, Lawdragon, Best Lawyers, and Super Lawyers. Andy was also chosen by his peers as Maryland Trial Lawyer of the Year. Learn more about Andy here.
PLEASE FIND MEDIA COVERAGE BELOW
Apartment company co-owned by Jared Kushner must pay over $4M in damages, Baltimore judge rules | The Baltimore Banner (July 9, 2026)
Kushner family rental company owes MD tenants over $4M, judge rules | The Daily Record (July 9, 2026)