I spent most of last week at the National Consumer Rights Litigation Conference in San Antonio. Among the many benefits is the chance to visit with colleagues who are the best consumer-side advocates in the country. I caught up with my colleague, Elizabeth Cabarser, one of the most talented… Continue Reading →
Volkswagen announced its customer care program for consumers cheated by the clean diesel fraud. The program gives consumers who register a $500 Visa gift card, a $500 dealer coupon, and three years of free roadside assistance. The last two benefits are nothing more than slick marketing, designed to drive… Continue Reading →
Catching up. Last week, we filed Bricker v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., U.S. District Court Case No. 3:15-cv-01785-PK (D. Or.) Along with my frequent collaborator, Oregon attorney Tim Quenelle, I joined forces with my friends at colleagues at Cohen & Malad from Indianapolis. For those who like such things, here… Continue Reading →
There have been two important developments in our win over BP. The case involves illegal debit card charges for gas purchases at Oregon ARCO stations. Details on the history are here with a few additional posts here. A bit of a summary first. Our claim process was a smashing… Continue Reading →
The claim process has started in our consumer fraud class action against BP for illegal debit card fees at Oregon ARCO stations. We’re getting a lot of calls, emails, and questions on our Facebook page. And on top of it all, ice and snow have moved into Portland. So… Continue Reading →
In our ongoing case against Career Education Corp. and Western Culinary Institute/ Le Cordon Bleu Portland, we’re continuing our work on the appeal. Background here. There is an interesting development that may or may not be related. We’re hearing occasional reports that Sallie Mae may be upping its collection… Continue Reading →
Yesterday, Judge LaBarre ruled from the bench on the parties’ motions for summary judgment in our pending consumer fraud against BP. He denied all motions. The case is going to trial. Background on the case is here, here, and here. It arises out of BP gas sales… Continue Reading →
For those interested, Career Education Corp and Western Culinary Institute/Le Cordon Bleu Portland filed their appeal brief in our long-running consumer fraud class action, Surrett v. Western Culinary Institute. The brief is long and technical. It focuses on things like arbitration clauses and class action procedure. If you’re really interested,… Continue Reading →
Nice piece here at Blue Oregon from Economic Fairness of Oregon relating to the need to end the consumer fraud exemption for insurance companies. Disclosure: When it comes to EFO, I’ve long been an unabashed fanboy–they do tremendous pro-consumer work. HB 3160-A is pending in the Oregon… Continue Reading →
Great KOIN-6 News report here KOIN-6 Iteam Hold Oregon insurers accountable highlighting the loophole that gives Oregon insurance companies a pass on Oregon’s Unlawful Trade Practice Act, our signature consumer protection law. A pending bill, HB 3160-A would close the loophole. The bill amends the Oregon Unlawful Trade… Continue Reading →