http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner en-us Mon, 23 Nov 2009 02:54:40 -0700 Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:29:13 -0700 BlogCFC http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m4d17-Signing-off?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner   Just a quick and final note to thank readers and say farewell. My day job as an attorney makes it impossible for me to do justice to this column. For that reason, this is my last post. I've learned a lot in this short, happy gig, especially f... Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:29:13 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m4d17-Signing-off?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m4d12-Update-Oregon-Governor-signs-new-legislation-cracking-down-on-abusive-debt-collectors?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner   Abusive debt collectors face greater scrutiny and regulation in Oregon with passage of SB 386. Governorn Kulongoski singed the bill this week. Before passage, Oregon law contained many loopholes that provided cover for abusive debt collectors... Oregon debt collection consumer litigation consumer John Kroger Sun, 12 Apr 2009 16:13:20 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m4d12-Update-Oregon-Governor-signs-new-legislation-cracking-down-on-abusive-debt-collectors?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m4d6-Onward-Oregon-makes-the-case-for-calorie-labeling-law?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner   Thanks to my pal Nancy Becker for this heads up about Onward Oregon's push to pass calorie labeling legislation. The pending bill, HB 2726, would set standards for disclosures for restaurant chains operating in Oregon. The bill provides the s... Oregon food labeling obesity epidemic Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:21:22 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m4d6-Onward-Oregon-makes-the-case-for-calorie-labeling-law?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m4d1-Yamaha-recalls-Rhino-offroad-vehicle?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner  It's been associated with deaths and serious injuries, and now Yamaha USA has announced that it is recalling its Rhino off-road vehicle. According to this report, the Rhino recall is to help deal with rollover risks and limit injuries. Ful... consumer dangerous products Yamaha Rhino recall Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:35:47 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m4d1-Yamaha-recalls-Rhino-offroad-vehicle?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m3d31-Day-of-reckoning-comes-for-Philip-Morris-as-Oregon-family-prevails-a-decade-later?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner   Ten years and a day after an Oregon jury found that Philip Morris acted with wanton disregard for the health and safety of Oregonians, the U.S. Supreme Court finally put to rest the case of Wililams v. Philip Morris. Full dislcosure: I have w... U.S. Supreme Court Oregon Supreme Court Philip Morris consumer jury system Tue, 31 Mar 2009 22:15:24 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m3d31-Day-of-reckoning-comes-for-Philip-Morris-as-Oregon-family-prevails-a-decade-later?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m3d30-AIG-and-friends-push-limits-on-consumers-access-to-justice?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner   This dispatch from California highlights ongoing efforts by the corporate lobbysits to shut the court house doors by limiting consumer class actions.Consumer class actions are often the last and best way for consumers to obtain relief from fr... consumer class actions bailout tort "reform" AIG Mon, 30 Mar 2009 06:21:55 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m3d30-AIG-and-friends-push-limits-on-consumers-access-to-justice?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m3d27-Comcast-cable-illegal-late-fee-class-action-certified-in-Oregon?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner   In a recent ruling, Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Richard Baldwin certifeid a consumer class action against Comcast Oregon for its practices of billing late fees in Oregon. By way of full disclosure, I am counsel to the class.Here is a... consumer litigation consumer Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:05:25 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m3d27-Comcast-cable-illegal-late-fee-class-action-certified-in-Oregon?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m3d24-Oregon-Secretary-of-State-Kate-Brown-pushes-intiative-reform?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner   Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown is leading the charge on Oregon intiative reform. The Oregon Constitution provides for initiative power. It's an important right, but the system has been subjected to abuses, including fraudulent signature... initiative Kate Brown Tue, 24 Mar 2009 10:38:11 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m3d24-Oregon-Secretary-of-State-Kate-Brown-pushes-intiative-reform?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m3d5-Court-rules-that-Vatican-is-not-immune-from-sex-abuse-lawsuit?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner  The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued its opinion in Doe v. Holy See on Tuesday. The Court ruled that Doe, a victim of sexual abuse, may seek to hold the Holy See accountable for damages inflicted by a priest's sexual abuse.Doe... lawsuits sex abuse Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:52:40 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m3d5-Court-rules-that-Vatican-is-not-immune-from-sex-abuse-lawsuit?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m2d28-Oregon-court-closures-will-hit-consumers?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner Add one more thing to the list of casualties of the economic meltdown. Oregon Chief Justice Paul DeMuniz announced Friday that Oregon courts will go to part-time operations at least through June.  It’s easy to shrug the shoulders and treat... consumer economic crisis civil justice system Sat, 28 Feb 2009 10:02:13 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m2d28-Oregon-court-closures-will-hit-consumers?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m2d20-Questioning-Chamber-of-Commerces-judicial-hell-hole-designation?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner The Chamber of Commerce loves to use talk-radio rhetoric when criticizing the justice system. According to its front, West Virginia is a "judicial hell hole." What the heck is a judicial hell hole? Is that where a judge locks you in a hot p... tort "reform" Chamber of Commerce jury system Fri, 20 Feb 2009 10:13:27 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m2d20-Questioning-Chamber-of-Commerces-judicial-hell-hole-designation?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m2d18-Scam-alert-fraudulent-jury-service-emails?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner  Sometimes it comes by phone and sometimes by email. The email, which spoofs U.S. District Court, claims that the recipient has missed jury duty and now faces arrest or contempt.  The caller gives the same story. Both demand personal inform... jury duty scam alert Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:01:21 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m2d18-Scam-alert-fraudulent-jury-service-emails?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m2d17-New-York-court-upholds-fast-food-calorie-disclosure-rules?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner   In a widely-anticipated opinion, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled today that New York City may enforce its health department rules requiring fast food chains to post calorie counts. A copy of the slip opinion can be ... consumer litigation food labeling obesity epidemic Tue, 17 Feb 2009 12:31:16 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m2d17-New-York-court-upholds-fast-food-calorie-disclosure-rules?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m2d16-Court-rules-in-favor-of-diabetic-employee-in-Americans-with-Disabilities-Act-case?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner  In this recent decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that a diabetic employee may pursue a claim for violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Court announced its decision on Friday, in the case entitled, R... employment discrimination Americans with Disabilities Act Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:34:46 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m2d16-Court-rules-in-favor-of-diabetic-employee-in-Americans-with-Disabilities-Act-case?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m2d13-Teacher-who-admitted-sexually-abusing-children-seeks-recertification?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner  This story illustrates the problem with secrecy and sex abuse. Kimberly Horenstein sexually abused two girls while working as their swim coach back in the 1980s. In the ensuing years, she got certified as a teacher and taught deaf students.&nbs... sex abuse child safety Fri, 13 Feb 2009 14:43:29 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m2d13-Teacher-who-admitted-sexually-abusing-children-seeks-recertification?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m2d10-Poll-results-Examiner-readers-tell-Mayor-Adams-to-beat-it?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner It was unscientific. That much has to be said up front. Even so, Examiner readers have spoken, and by a stunning 82-18 percent margin, they say Mayor Adams should resign. Interestingly, none opted for the wait until we hear about the results of the A... Poll Mayor Sam Adams Tue, 10 Feb 2009 18:33:42 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m2d10-Poll-results-Examiner-readers-tell-Mayor-Adams-to-beat-it?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m2d10-Oregon-bill-helps-consumers-fight-abusive-debt-collectors?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner From the inside, here's an important piece of legislation pending in the Oregon legislature. SB 386 would re-write the Oregon Unfair Debt Collection Practice Act to provide broader protections to consumers.  In today's Salem Stateman Journal, Pe... Oregon debt collection consumer litigation consumer John Kroger Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:35:41 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m2d10-Oregon-bill-helps-consumers-fight-abusive-debt-collectors?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m2d5-Follow-up-on-Portland-shooting-Gunman-had-history-of-schizophrenia?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner  Kudos to The Oregonian for continuing to dig into the story about Erik Ayala, the troubled young man who shot nine young people and then killed himself. Today's follow up includes more detail on Erik Ayala's background, which includes a history... handguns Portland shooting Second Amendment Thu, 05 Feb 2009 14:05:23 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m2d5-Follow-up-on-Portland-shooting-Gunman-had-history-of-schizophrenia?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m2d4-Earth-calling-David-Brooks-Executive-compensation-rules-Wells-Fargo-and-limits-at-the-trough?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner  This column offers proof positive that New York Times conservative columnist David Brooks may hail from another planet. Or maybe he's simply an order of fries short of a Happy Meal.  Mr. Brooks complains about what he calls "Ward... deregulation bailout consumer executive compensation economic crisis Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:52:08 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m2d4-Earth-calling-David-Brooks-Executive-compensation-rules-Wells-Fargo-and-limits-at-the-trough?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m2d3-Update-WellsFargo-caves-and-wont-go-to-Vegas-after-all?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner Sometimes public scorn and shaming work. The late-breaking story is that Wells Fargo suddenly canceled the Las Vegas junket. Wise choice. Like late-night comedy's regrets over the end of the Bush-Rove-Cheney era, I have to confess a slight twinge tha... bailout consumer Wells-Fargo Tue, 03 Feb 2009 20:01:21 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-1846-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner~y2009m2d3-Update-WellsFargo-caves-and-wont-go-to-Vegas-after-all?cid=exrss-Portland-Consumer-Law--Policy-Examiner