Since the passage of state Unfair and Deceptive Practices Acts (UDAP) in the late 1970’s, all state attorneys general have responsibility in the area of consumer protection. This is usually considered to be the “white hat” division, fighting scammers and others on behalf of consumers, This week discusses the broad nature of that authority and whether that broad authority is still relevant today.

1. Ch 93A: Regulation of Business Practices for Consumer's Protection. (Ma. Consumer Protection Statute) (2013)

2. "Consumer Protection in the United States: An Overview," Waller, et. al.

3. Henry N. Butler & Joshua D. Wright, Are State Consumer Protection Acts Really Little-FTC Acts?, 63 Fla. L. Rev. 163 (2011)

4. Minnesota v. Accretive Articles

5. Uber Readings, 2014-2018

6. Jason Lynch, Federalism, Separation of Powers, and the Role State Attorneys General in Multistate Litigation, 101 Colum. L. Rev. 1998 (2001)

7. Nolette Paul, [March 5, 2015], State attorneys general are more and more powerful. Is that a problem?, The Washington Post

8. The rise of arbitration and the role of attorneys general

9. Newsletter summarizing AG consumer protection actions

10. Consumer Protection Attorney General website sampling. Each class member will be responsible for selecting at least one matter from the newsletter or the website sampling to discuss in class