David Sugerman

Signing off

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...

Update: Oregon Governor signs new legislation cracking down on abusive debt collectors

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.Passage of the bill...

Onward Oregon makes the case for calorie labeling law

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...

Yamaha recalls Rhino off-road vehicle

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...

Day of reckoning comes for Philip Morris as Oregon family prevails a decade later

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...

AIG and friends push limits on consumers' access to justice

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 fraud and...

Comcast cable illegal late fee class action certified in Oregon

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...

Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown pushes intiative reform

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 gathering and racketeering...

Court rules that Vatican is not immune from sex abuse lawsuit

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...

Oregon court closures will hit consumers

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...

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