News, Publications & Events

The Panel examined lower court decisions in the wake of U.S. Supreme Court rulings affecting class action cases: Campbell-Ewald v. Gomez (Rule 68 offers and mootness); Tyson Foods v. Bouaphakeo (use of representative or statistical evidence in class cases); Microsoft v. Baker (considering appellate jurisdiction to review orders denying class certification) Read More

Ms. Saelao presented as part of Litigation Session 1—Key Developments: Fair Credit Reporting Act Litigation & Compliance Trends. Read More

The Consumer Financial Services Committee and Financial Institutions Committees of the Business Law Section of the California State Bar will join forces to host a workshop on one of the most pressing issues facing the financial services industry: Data Privacy in Financial Services. The workshop will bring together leading data privacy attorneys to explain what California financial services attorneys need… Read More

On January 12, 2017, Genevieve Walser-Jolly spoke on landmark state and federal court rulings upholding contractual arbitration provisions.  She also discussed the proposed arbitration rule from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Read More

We regretfully announce the passing of Severson & Werson founder James B. Werson. On December 29, 2016 James Werson celebrated his 100th birthday surrounded by his family and friends. He passed on thirteen short days later on January 11, 2017. We and everyone who knew Jim are celebrating and honoring Jim's life. People describe Mr. Werson as one of the… Read More

Jarlath Curran spoke on a panel entitled “State by State Survey on Important Case Law with a Spotlight on California’s Distinct Landscape: Litigation Trends, New Statutes, Statute of Limitations Issues and More” in San Diego, CA. Read More

Are the FTC's Warnings on Debt Collection by Text Message Prescient or Predictable Article Read More

On December 5, 2016, Genevieve Walser-Jolly presented on the recent D.C. Circuit Court of Appeal ruling in PHH Corp. v. Consumer Fin. Prot. Bureau, 839 F.3d 1, 2016 at the California Mortgage Bankers Association: Legal Issues & Regulatory Compliance Conference in Orange County, California. Read More

HBOR-E-Bulletin Read More

Alert - CarMax's Recent Loss Presages A Wave of Litigation Over Certified Used Cars Read More

Scott J. Hyman and Austin B. Kenney review judicial reaction to, and isolation of, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision in Douglass, which held that a sequence of numbers visible through the glassine window on an envelope containing a collection letter violated the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act’s proscription of “unfair or unconscionable” debt collection practices. FDCPA Glassine… Read More

Recovery of Commercial Losses Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act Read More

Scott J. Hyman and Austin B. Kenney discuss the factors affecting the judicial interpretation of the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act’s $500,000 liability cap on certified class claims, with an eye to the effect of putative class members’ potentially minuscule recovery on judicial treatment of the Federal Rules’ “superiority” requirements. FDCPA Class Action Cap Article Published Read More

Severson & Werson attorney Andrew W. Noble will serve as the next Chair of the California Bar Association’s Consumer Financial Services Committee (CFSC). The one-year term will commence at the bar association’s annual meeting beginning September 29, 2016. Part of the bar association’s Business Law Section, the CFSC is a diverse group of attorneys at banks and other financial services… Read More

Silence Can Be Deadly Alert Read More

In July 2016, Severson’s Construction Group Leader David Ericksen and Insurance Group Leader Mike Murphy teamed to make three presentations to the London Insurance Market focused on alternative business structures and project delivery methods for the construction industry and corresponding contract trending. For information on any of these sessions or the content, please contact David or Mike. Read More

Rethinking The Impossible: Appellate Mediation Read More

In July 2016 Severson’s Construction Group Leader David Ericksen presented three webinars from his “In the Zone” series focused on the relationship between clients and prime consultants and the relationship between prime consultants and their design teams. The combined sessions were attended by over 500 firms spanning more than forty states. Read More

David Ericksen, Severson & Werson’s Construction Group Leader, was the leadoff speaker at Willis’ A/E Large Firm Convocation in Chicago on June 10, 2016. Mr. Ericksen addressed Opportunities, Strategies, and Risks in Design Joint Ventures. Read More

David Ericksen, the leader of Severson & Werson’s Construction Group, spoke at the AIA offices in Sacramento, California on “Proposal $trategies for $anity and $ecurity”. Read More