LAW 240P - Consumer Protection Law Practicum

As the number and ways in which vulnerable consumers are “scammed” proliferates, protecting consumers has become an increasing priority for regulators. This practicum will give the student an indepth look at how consumer protection law is applied and enforced at both the state and federal level. Students will learn how to identify claims in the advertising for products and services they see on an everyday basis, including claims that are not expressly stated but “implied” or suggested by the advertising. They will then learn what type of evidence the advertiser must have to support the truthfulness of the claims they are making. Students will also gain an understanding for the types of consequences or sanctions that can potentially be imposed on companies or individuals that engage in deceptive advertising or marketing. The Course will then look at how these concepts play out in a number of more specific situations. These include the use of social media influencers, online reviews, automatic renewals, health and weight loss claims, environmental claims, marketing to children, marketing of financial services, Made in USA and other country of origin claims and claims for food, including Natural and Organic. As part of the Course students will engage in three practical exercises designed to simulate common legal skills in this area. The first will be the design and interpretation of a consumer survey intended to measure how consumers interpret an advertisement. The second will be to simiulate negotiating a subpoena on behalf of their client to reduce the cost and burden of subpoena compliance. Finally, students will draft a white paper in connection with a simulated government investigation that is intended to defend the truthfulness of their client’s advertising and marketing. Credits: 3. Shaheen