Landlord Tenant Committee (Trial Lawyers)

Rashied H. McDuffie, Chair

Assistant Corporation Counsel II and Lead Prosecutor, Buffalo Housing Court

Rashied H. McDuffie is Assistant Corporation Counsel II and Lead Prosecutor to Buffalo Housing Court. Mr. McDuffie is Team Lead for the 211 helpline, where Buffalo residents may call for free legal advice concerning complex landlord-tenant and public assistance matters. Rashied is Creator and Lead Implementer of the City’s Abandoned Property Program that vests title of neglected property into the hands of the municipality who then stabilizes the property and puts it back on city tax rolls by transferring it to responsible owners.

He has extensive knowledge in public finance transactions, government and elected positions, representing municipalities, corporations, public authorities or local development corporations, and non-profit organizations, and individuals in legislative, regulatory, government, compliance, real estate, matrimonial, probate, and environmental matters.

As a leading public interest advocate, Rashied has more than a decade of experience working with municipalities, individuals and businesses to navigate ethics guidelines, local rules or procedures; and works closely with state and local governments to best represent the public at large. Rashied’s intricate understanding of New York State and municipal law, specifically pertaining to New York State, is highly sought after, with him currently serving as Assistant Corporation Counsel II for the City of Buffalo and previously as Associate Counsel to the New York State Senate’s Majority Whip.

Additionally, Rashied has deep knowledge on conceptualizing, negotiating, and structuring public-private partnerships for public interest initiatives or development projects. Routinely, Rashied counsels clients in the public and private sectors on diversity, equity, and inclusion and implicit bias matters; and is committed to promoting adaptation and environmental justice activities that ensure fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people – regardless of race, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity or income – with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

In addition to founding RHM Consulting, LLC, Rashied held positions with United States House of Representatives, the City of Buffalo, Democratic Congressional Finance Committee, New York State Senate, and the New York State Democratic Committee. He also previously co-managed a Florida Congressman’s fundraising operations in successfully raised over $300,000 for his 2012 re-election campaign and served as a chief strategist for national, state, and local political campaigns in Iowa, South Florida, and Upstate New York.

Rashied is a native of Buffalo, New York. He volunteers his time working with fair housing agencies who advise tenants and owners of the rights and responsibilities of home ownership; presenting to elected officials and public officers about conflicts of interest and ethics; advocating for grief recovery services; working to expand safe and affordable healthcare for all and serving as a liaison to LGBTQ and other minorities facing housing shortage and social integration struggles in Upstate New York.

Mr. McDuffie has been recognized by numerous organizations for his outstanding leadership skills, philanthropic efforts, and superior legal work, including, but not limited to, Buffalo First 40 Under 40, Western New York’s Legal Elite, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Community Action Organization, Grassroots Political Organization, Utopian Euphoria, LLC, and the University at Buffalo’s CSTEP Program, and the Black Tie for Black History.

Rashied is an attorney in good standing and licensed to practice law in Florida and New York.