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State, local bar groups support ABA in ‘red flags’ case 

Published: September 8, 2010
Tags: ABA, FTC, identity fraud, red flags rule

WASHINGTON - Dozens of state and local bar associations have joined together in filing an amicus brief in federal court in support of the American Bar Association’s bid to bar the Federal Trade Commission from enforcing its so-called “red flags” regulations against attorneys.

FTC proposes new consumer credit rules 

Published: September 3, 2010
Tags: Fair Credit Reporting Act, Federal Trade Commission

WASHINGTON - The Federal Trade Commission has proposed new rules changing the notices credit reporting agencies must provide to consumers, users and furnishers of credit report information under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

New Supreme Court term packed with big cases 

By Kimberly Atkins - Published: September 1, 2010
Tags: arbitration, civil rights, Criminal Law, Employment Law, preemption, retaliation, Supreme Court

This term the U.S. Supreme Court will take on issues ranging from the ability to file suit in matters involving arbitration clauses or federal regulations, to retaliation and privacy issues in employment law, to major criminal law and civil rights questions.

Supreme Court case could eviscerate consumer class actions 

By Sylvia Hsieh - Published: August 31, 2010
Tags: arbitration, AT&T Mobility v. Concepcion, class actions, Federal Arbitration Act, preemption, Stolt-Nielson v. AnimalFeed International Corp., unconscionability, Wyeth v. Levine

Class action lawyers who represent consumers and employees are bracing themselves for the possible end of practice as they know it.

The cause of their anxiety: a U.S. Supreme Court case that has garnered little attention but could wipe out class actions involving consumer contracts or employment agreements that contain arbitration provisions.

Agency proposes mandatory seatbelts on buses 

Published: August 31, 2010
Tags: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, safety regulations, seatbelts

WASHINGTON - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has proposed requiring all new commercial motorcoach buses to install seatbelts.

Egg recall spurs food safety debate 

Published: August 24, 2010
Tags: Congress, egg recall, FDA, USDA

WASHINGTON - After an Iowa egg producer and the Food and Drug Administration announced the nationwide recall of more than 500 million shell eggs in connection with a salmonella outbreak that has sickened more than 1,000 people, lawmakers are calling for laws to boost food safety procedures.

Bankruptcy filings rise 

Published: August 19, 2010
Tags: Bankruptcy, Federal courts

WASHINGTON - The number of bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending June 30 jumped 20 percent over the year before, rising to the highest levels since the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 took effect, according to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.

Bill would help small businesses reorganize 

Published: August 13, 2010
Tags: Bankruptcy, Chapter 11, Congress, small business

WASHINGTON - When Congress returns from summer recess, the Senate Judiciary Committee is set to consider a measure that would change the way small businesses reorganize in bankruptcy.

EEOC cracks down on background check-related job bias claims 

Published: August 13, 2010
Tags: background checks, credit checks, disparate impact, EEOC, employment discrimination

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is stepping up scrutiny of hiring policies - including the use of criminal background and credit checks - that can have a negative impact on members of minority groups.

FDA mulls toughening device premarket approval rules 

Published: August 13, 2010
Tags: Food and Drug Administration, medical devices

WASHINGTON - The Food and Drug Administration is considering measures to strengthen and clarify a premarket review process for medical devices that do not need to undergo a full premarket approval review.