Washington, D.C. — Many contracts—whether they are for the products and services we buy or for the terms of our employment—contain arbitration clauses that limit individuals’ ability to sue to redress wrongs. These consumer ripoff clauses lock wronged consumers and workers out of the courthouse, leaving them to plead for justice before private-sector arbitrators paid by the very companies that may have committed the harm, instead of an impartial judge and jury. In recent years, the scope and impact of these consumer and worker ripoff clauses have grown immensely, undermining the class action system that has long protected consumers and workers from poor-quality, fraudulent, or even dangerous products, services, and work conditions.
On Tuesday, June 7, the Center for American Progress Action Fund will host Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) and Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) to discuss how to turn this trend around and protect individual and class action rights. A panel composed of legal experts and consumer advocates will explore how mandatory arbitration clauses harm the public, as well as efforts that can be taken to restore access to justice.
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WHO:
Introductory remarks:
Carmel Martin, Executive Vice President for Policy, Center for American Progress Action Fund
Remarks:
Sen. Al Franken (D-MN)
Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA)
Panelists:
Alan S. Carlson, Owner, Italian Colors Restaurant, Oakland, California
Deepak Gupta, Founding Principal, Gupta Wessler PLLC
Julie Murray, Attorney, Public Citizen Litigation Group
David Halperin, Attorney and advocate
Vildan A. Teske, Teske Micko PLLP
Moderator:
Joe Valenti, Director of Consumer Finance, Center for American Progress Action Fund
WHEN:
Tuesday, June 7, 2016, at 12:15 p.m. ET
WHERE:
Center for American Progress Action Fund
1333 H St. NW
10th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20005
For more information, contact Allison Preiss at [email protected] or 202.478.6331.