Consumer Law

Legal challenges over online reviews seek to separate fact from fiction

Robert Allen Lee desperately needed a dentist. Dr. Stacy Makhnevich at Aster Dental in New York City was able to squeeze Lee in to treat his toothache. When Lee arrived, the dentist required he sign a "mutual agreement to maintain privacy"—a confidentiality agreement with a nondisparagement clause that waives patients'…

Jul 1, 2016 4:20 AM CDT

Business owners grapple with serving armed customers

There are a few constants at Brooks' Place, a smokehouse barbecue in Cypress, Texas, near Houston: You can buy brisket or ribs by the pound, owner Trent Brooks always mans the pit, and he's never without his gun.

Jul 1, 2016 3:00 AM CDT

Volkswagen to pay $15.3B to resolve emissions-cheating claims

Volkswagen has agreed to pay $15.3 billion to settle claims over software designed to mislead emissions tests on vehicles with two-liter diesel engines. The money includes $14.7 billion to settle claims by U.S. regulators and owners of the cars, report the Associated Press, Reuters, the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.),…

Jun 28, 2016 11:19 AM CDT

Is federal judge really a ‘hater of Donald Trump’? His rulings in Trump U case are mixed

Donald Trump has criticized the federal judge overseeing two suits against Trump University as “very hostile” and “a hater of Donald Trump.” But the judge’s rulings in the case have been a mixed bag. Though U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel ruled against Trump on some issues, “there’s nothing unusual or…

Jun 16, 2016 10:41 AM CDT

New suits filed over sperm donor who claimed to be a neuroscientist, but wasn’t

At least two new lawsuits have filed against a Georgia-based sperm bank by families who thought they were using a sperm donor who was a neuroscientist and later found out he was a convicted felon with mental health issues. Two suits are being pursued in British Columbia against Xytex Corp.…

Jun 15, 2016 3:20 PM CDT

Net neutrality rules upheld by federal appeals court in ‘slam-dunk’ for FCC

A federal appeals court has upheld rules by the Federal Communications Commission that bar internet providers from speeding up websites that pay a fee, and from slowing down Internet traffic to some consumers. The decision (PDF) on Tuesday by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit is “a…

Jun 14, 2016 10:22 AM CDT

FTC sues 2 law firms over claimed mortgage-rescue scheme that cost clients $15M in 2014

The Federal Trade Commission has sued two Southern California law firms, seeking to freeze their assets and appoint a receiver. It says Brookstone Law and Advantis Law raked in $15 million in 2014 by charging clients upfront fees for work such as “legal analysis” and promises of mass joinder in…

Jun 10, 2016 12:30 PM CDT

Illinois attorney general sues Jimmy John’s over noncompete clauses for low-wage workers

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan claims in a lawsuit that Jimmy John’s sandwich restaurants are violating state law by requiring low-wage workers to sign restrictive noncompete agreements. The suit filed on Wednesday in Cook County says it is intended to prevent the sandwich chain from continuing to require the noncompete…

Jun 10, 2016 8:45 AM CDT

Stayed suspension is recommended for ex-judge who filed $54M suit against dry cleaner for lost pants

A hearing committee is recommending a stayed 30-day suspension for a former administrative law judge who sued his dry cleaners for $54 million for allegedly losing his pants. A hearing committee of the D.C. Board on Professional Responsibility recommended (PDF) the stayed suspension for former judge Roy Pearson Jr. based…

Jun 9, 2016 5:45 AM CDT

Trump says his criticism of federal judge was misconstrued

Presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump is clarifying his criticism of a federal judge overseeing a Trump University lawsuit. Trump says his remarks about U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel “have been misconstrued as a categorical attack against people of Mexican heritage,” report Law.com and the Washington Post. Trump previously labeled…

Jun 8, 2016 9:58 AM CDT

Late-night comedian John Oliver buys nearly $15 million of medical debt—and forgives it

Late-night comedian John Oliver concluded a scathing review of the U.S. debt-collection industry on Sunday with a nearly $15 million giveaway of old medical debt. “It is pretty clear by now debt-buying is a grimy business, and badly needs more oversight, because as it stands any idiot can get into…

Jun 6, 2016 4:22 PM CDT

Lawyer exits partnership at 275-attorney firm to take lead role in consumer law practice

After a decade defending institutional clients in lending and debt-collection cases, Florida lawyer George Andrews decided it was time for a change. So he gave up his partnership in 275-attorney Shutts & Bowen and his 21st-floor office. Last month he joined Loan Lawyers and he is now working out of…

Jun 6, 2016 9:25 AM CDT

Suit claims Panera manager blamed language issue for peanut butter on allergic child’s sandwich

A lawsuit filed last week alleges a Massachusetts Panera Bread restaurant put a large dollop of peanut butter on a child’s sandwich after her parents warned about her peanut allergy in the online order. The suit filed on behalf of a 6-year-old Natick girl alleges the restaurant engaged in unfair…

Jun 6, 2016 7:55 AM CDT

CFPB announces proposed rule to curb ‘payday debt trap’ lending to consumers

Short-term “payday loans” can potentially be a real benefit to individuals like John Charette. The 47-year-old Maine man, like many Americans, has bad credit and lacks savings. So he took out a $250 payday loan in Portland to update his vehicle registration, knowing that a ticket would cost him even…

Jun 3, 2016 8:00 AM CDT

Telling tenants to ‘friend’ landlord Facebook page in 5 days or lose lease was mistake, lawyer says

When tenants in a Salt Lake City apartment building discovered an unusual lease addendum taped to their doors last week, a number were irked. It said they had to “friend” the landlord’s Facebook page within 5 days, reports KSL, or be found in breach of the rental agreement with City…

Jun 1, 2016 3:35 PM CDT