As we approach the New Year, we reflect on the accomplishments made possible by your generosity in 2013. With your support, Public Citizen Litigation Group —
- Handled on appeal and before the U.S. Supreme Court several cases involving the question whether a federal statute bars consumers' state-law claims seeking compensation for injuries. Through these cases, our attorneys work to preserve consumers' access to the civil justice system.
- Succeeded in overturning a class-action settlement that would have released the claims of a nationwide class of consumers who used the defendant law firm to assist with debt settlement but would have given the class members nothing of value.
- Settled with the state of Connecticut in a case challenging its use of a discriminatory physical-fitness test that eliminated a class of female applicants from consideration for jobs as correctional officers. The settlement provides back pay of over $1.8 million and priority hiring with retroactive seniority and pension credit for up to 28 class members.
- Continued to play a leading role in the defense of campaign finance reform in the courts and in the effort to combat use of nonprofit organizations to funnel dark money into elections.
- Helped numerous lawyers with cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, through our Supreme Court Assistance Project, now in its 23rd year. This fall alone, our attorneys provided cert-stage assistance in more than 14 cases, argued a case before the Court (Northwest, Inc. v. Ginsberg), and held moot courts in 13 cases for lawyers preparing for Supreme Court arguments.
Looking ahead to 2014, we are working on cases in the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits challenging the popular defense tactic of making a Rule 68 offer of judgment to a named class plaintiff in an effort to moot a class action.
In the Tenth Circuit, we are handling an appeal on the question whether federal regulation of medical devices preempts an injured patient's claims for injuries caused by a device that the manufacturer marketed for a use never approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
In the Second Circuit, on behalf of several individuals and auto safety groups, we are pursuing a mandamus action, through which we seek to compel the Department of Transportation to issue a long-delayed automobile safety standard.
More generally, our docket includes cases raising issues about access to the civil justice system, the Freedom of Information Act, and the First Amendment. More information about our cases is available on our website.
Your contributions make our work possible.
Please consider a tax-deductible donation to Public Citizen Litigation Group in your year-end giving.
Sincerely,
Allison M. Zieve
Director, Public Citizen Litigation Group