Public Justice

February 10, 2021 In Blog Access to Justice, Consumers' Rights, Forced Arbitration, Workers' Rights

Put an End to Fine Print Bullying: Urge Congress to Pass the FAIR Act

By Karla Gilbride Cartwright-Baron Senior Attorney What Leo Tolstoy said in Anna Karenina about unhappy families could also be said about consumer transactions or employment relationships that turn sour: each one “is unhappy in its own way.” For some types of disputes, a worker or consumer may…

February 9, 2021 In PJ Action Access to Justice, Civil Rights & Liberties, Forced Arbitration, Workers' Rights

Join Us in Asking Congress to Pass the FAIR Act

Public Justice is proud to support the Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal (FAIR) Act (H.R. 1374), which was reintroduced in February 2021. In February 2021, a hearing on the FAIR Act was held, entitled “Justice is Restored: Ending Forced Arbitration and Protecting Fundamental Rights.” On Wednesday,…

February 5, 2021 In Blog Access to Justice, Consumers' Rights, Forced Arbitration

Chamber Affiliate Recycles Flawed Methodology to Defend Forced Arbitration for Consumers

In 2019, Congress held hearings on the FAIR Act, a bill that would make it illegal to force employment, consumer, antitrust and civil rights disputes into arbitration. The Institute for Legal Reform, an affiliate of the nation’s chief big business lobby – the U.S. Chamber of Commerce – tried to influence that legislative debate with a report claiming that arbitration is actually better for workers than going to court.

January 27, 2021 In Letters & Resources

Letter in Support of Dr. Rachel Levine for Assistant Secretary for Health

January 27, 2021 Dear United States Senate, We, a coalition of LGBTQI+ and allied organizations, write to urge you to confirm the appointment of Pennsylvania Secretary of Health, Dr. Rachel Levine, to serve as Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH). Dr. Levine is currently Secretary of…

January 21, 2021 In COVID-19 Resources California

Coronado v. American Honda Motor Co. Order Denying Motion Objecting to Remote Jury Trial (Alameda Cnty. Super. Ct. Jan. 3, 2021)

Order denying Honda’s objections to proceeding with remote jury trial in civil case where plaintiff’s medical condition had caused his case to be placed on preference calendar due to likelihood of his imminent death; court noted that criminal defendants have a Sixth Amendment right that…

Type of Order: Case-Specific

January 21, 2021 In COVID-19 Resources New Jersey

Supreme Court of New Jersey Order Authorizing Remote Civil Jury Trials

Following release of plan in November 2020 and public comment period, court adopted two-phase process for instituting remote civil jury trials: first phase starting February 1 in certain counties where parties must consent, and then extending statewide in second phase starting April 5, 2021, where…

January 15, 2021 In PJ Action Food Project, The Environment

Call Congress: Oppose Tom Vilsack’s Nomination as USDA Secretary

The Department of Agriculture has a long and painful history of racist policies that have made it impossible for Black farmers and other farmers of color to thrive. This is compounded by the fact that the federal Department of Agriculture has largely become an arm…

January 12, 2021 In Blog Consumers' Rights, Forced Arbitration

Firing Kathy Kraninger Must Be Part of President-Elect Biden’s Economic Agenda

By Paul Bland Executive Director It is no accident that many of President-Elect Biden’s first personnel announcements have been key appointments aimed at strengthening the country’s economy. Biden is sending a clear message that important “pocket book issues” will be a central part of his…

January 7, 2021 In Updates

Public Justice Statement on Yesterday’s Mob Attack on Democracy

By Paul Bland Executive Director As legal advocates, we believe the rule of law matters. Democracy matters. And justice for all – including, and especially, racial justice – matters. There must be accountability for inciting, and participating in, mob violence in order to try and…

December 22, 2020 In Blog Access to Justice, Workers' Rights

McConnell’s Latest Corporate Immunity Proposals Are A Direct Sabotage To Our Democracy

By Lucy Sears Communications Associate With less than two weeks until the new year, it appears that Congress has finally settled on a $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill, following many months of negotiations that were largely attributed to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s continued refusal…