I am pleased to announce that Jeff Pilgrim of Pilgrim Christakis LLP and I are chairing this year’s National Institute on Consumer Financial Services Basics (the “Institute”).  The Institute is hosted annually by the Consumer Financial Services Committee of the American Bar Association.

Ballard’s CFS Group routinely sends new Group members to the Institute, and the feedback we get is uniformly positive. … Continue Reading

Briefing is now complete on the petitions for certiorari in the Blair v. Rent-A-Center appeals that could produce the next blockbuster U.S. Supreme Court arbitration decision. At issue is whether the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) preempts California’s McGill Rule. Under the McGill Rule, an arbitration agreement that precludes a consumer from pursuing claims for “public” injunctive relief in court or in arbitration is unenforceable under California law.… Continue Reading

The ABA Journal has begun accepting nominations for its ABA Journal Web 100.  The Web 100 honors blogs, law podcasts, and tweeters followed by lawyers.  It replaces the ABA’s Blawg 100 which was limited to the best legal blogs.  Our Consumer Finance Monitor was honored to be recognized by the Blawg 100 for five consecutive years and we would be grateful to be recognized by the Web 100 in 2018.… Continue Reading