Our office address is:
Western New York Law Center
Cathedral Park Tower
37 Franklin Street, Suite 210
Buffalo, NY 14202
Website: wnylc.com
Telephone: (716) 855-0203, Ext. 138
Fax: (716) 270-4005
Email: ecvapteam@wnylc.net
Kate Lockhart, Vacant and Abandoned Property Program Director (she/her). After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science in 2009, Kate moved to Buffalo for an AmeriCorps VISTA position with WNYLC. She has held several positions including Paralegal and Data Manager, focusing on foreclosures and vacant and abandoned properties. Now as WNYLC’s Vacant and Abandoned Property Program Director, Kate tracks and analyzes data relating to foreclosure filings as well as incomplete or “Zombie” foreclosures in Erie and Niagara County. She collaborates with municipalities in and around Erie County to identify and implement solutions for vacant and abandoned properties and gives presentation on incomplete or “Zombie” Foreclosures across the state. Additionally, Kate is the Chair of the Distressed Properties Task Force, a collaboration of local not for profits, government entities, community groups, and local officials, organized by WNYLC. The group meetings monthly to discuss the issues and solutions for vacant and abandoned properties in the City of Buffalo.
Samantha R. Axberg, Esq., Managing Attorney, Vacant and Abandoned Properties (she/her). Samantha started working at WNYLC in 2018 as an AmeriCorps Economic Development Corps fellow and was brought on as an attorney in the Vacant and Abandoned Program in 2019. Her responsibilities include working with municipalities to enforce NY mortgage servicer maintenance obligations, solving issues concerning vacant and abandoned properties, legislative advocacy in vacancy and foreclosure defense, and estate planning. Sam chairs the City of Buffalo Distressed Properties Task Force and New Yorkers for Responsible Lending’s Mortgage Working Group. She earned both her BA in Environmental Design and her Juris Doctor from the University at Buffalo.
Jean Blizzard, Paralegal and Community Engagement Specialist (they/them). With their experience in real estate title work and passion for helping their community, Jean proved to be a perfect fit for the Vacant and Abandoned Program. Jean’s responsibilities include client intake and communication, community outreach, matching homeowners in need with local home repair programs, researching vacant and abandoned properties, and more. Jean holds an MA in Forensic Linguistics from Hofstra University and a BA in Linguistics with a Korean Minor from the University at Buffalo, and studied abroad in Korea.