Selling Defective Puppies? Local Pet Store Sued for Consumer Protection Violations

The term “product defect” usually brings to mind vehicles breaking down or problems with packaging. But could a company get into regulatory trouble for selling defective puppies? A recent lawsuit against a pet shop owner in Novi, Michigan tests the limits of Michigan’s Consumer Protection Act.

Telemarketing Class Action Lawsuit Against Dish Network Could Pay You $1,200

Telemarketing calls are disruptive and annoying. That’s why the Federal Trade Commission set up the National Do Not Call Registry. But Dish Network ignored the list in 2010 and 2011. Now a telemarketing class action lawsuit out of North Carolina has resulted in a nationwide verdict that could pay you up to $1,200.

Consumer Lawyer Dani K. Liblang Named to 2018 “Leaders in the Law”

On April 5, 2018, some of the top lawyers from across the state came together to celebrate Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s “Leaders in the Law”. Consumer lawyer Dani K. Liblang of the Liblang Law Firm, PC, in Birmingham, Michigan, was one of only 30 lawyers and judges honored for their work in the field.

Lemon Law Attorney Dani Liblang Named a Notable Woman Lawyer by Crain’s Detroit

Attorney Dani Liblang of The Liblang Law Firm, PC, has been named a Notable Woman Lawyer by Crain’s Detroit Business. With over 35 years of lemon law experience, Liblang is an advocate for consumer rights against auto manufacturers and dealerships.

NHTSA Self-Driving Vehicle Regulations Put Passenger Safety in Auto-Makers’ Hands

The push to create the first completely self-driving vehicle is getting intense. Auto makers are already testing prototypes in Michigan and across the country. This has prompted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to issue revised safety guidelines for the industry. But the revisions take away significant protections for consumers and passengers.

Can You Be Charged for Canceling a Gym Membership?

For some Michigan residents, a gym membership can be the gift that keeps on giving. But if you have to move, cut costs, or simply change gyms it can sometimes be difficult to cancel that obligation. Gyms can pressure members to renew or modify their agreements, and even threaten cancellation fees or penalties. But the Michigan Attorney General says sometimes these tactics can cross the line of consumer protection laws.

New Rule Protects Consumers’ Right to Class Action Lawsuits

In the face of political opposition, the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced a new rule protecting consumers’ right to join class action lawsuits. The rule would keep banks and credit card companies from using arbitration clauses to keep small claims out of court.

Beyond Lemon Law: Settling Lemon Law Cases

Veteran lemon law lawyer Dani K. Liblang recently spoke at the Institute of Continuing Legal Education. Find out what she believes makes an auto defect claim ripe for settlement.

Beyond Lemon Law: Depositions & Vehicle Inspections

Veteran lemon law lawyer Dani K. Liblang recently spoke at the Institute of Continuing Legal Education. Find out how plaintiffs’ depositions and vehicle inspections can make or break your case.

Resolved to Join a Gym in 2017? Read This First

Every year, thousands of people commit to get healthy in the new year. Maybe you resolved to join a gym or workout more in 2017. If you did, you make sure you do your research, or you could be facing a consumer protection disaster.

Attorney Dani Liblang Achieves AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell

How do you know you’ve hired the right attorney? Martindale-Hubbell sets the standard in objective attorney ratings. So when Attorney Dani Liblang recently achieved an AV Preeminent rating, the highest rating Martindale-Hubbell gives, the honor indicated that Dani is respected by clients and professionals alike.

Squirrel Cooking Fire Not Covered by Michigan Consumer Protection Act

The Michigan Consumer Protection Act is a broad statute designed to shield consumers from a lot of wrongful conduct by the companies they work with. But even the MCPA can be stretched too thin. For example, a recent court case held that the consumer protection law did not protect a renter from paying for damages caused by a squirrel cooking fire.

Update: MI Supreme Court Says No to Pandora Privacy

Is it a violation of Michigan consumer protection laws for a music sharing app like Pandora to share your music preferences without your knowledge? The Supreme Court says no. Its decision raises the question of who the company's customers really are.

Michigan Considers Bill to Loosen Payday Loan Laws

Payday loans are a debt sentence to low-income families across Michigan. But while federal regulators are trying to find ways to crack down on the industry, the Michigan Legislature is considering just the opposite. Two new bills would loosen payday loan laws and make it easier for lenders to take advantage of poor Michigan families.

Federal Bill Could Gut Payday Loan Regulations

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is expected to crack down on payday loan regulations later this year. But a bill working its way through the House of Representatives in Washington could stop these important consumer protections in their tracks.

CFPB Calls Fowl on 2 Biggest U.S. Debt Collectors

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently ordered the nation's two biggest debt collectors, Encore Capital Group and Portfolio Recovery Associates, to stop using deceptive tactics to collect bad debts. The order sends millions of dollars back to the nation's citizens and gives a clear warning to other debt collectors.

Why You Shouldn't Give Your Cell Phone Number to Your Creditors

 

Mr. Hill was fed up. He had received nearly 500 calls from his creditor on his cell phone, some of them automated. He thought the Telephone Consumer Protection Act would protect him against these abusive collections practices. But he didn't realize, by giving his cell phone number to his creditor, he opened himself up to more than he bargained for.

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act is designed to respond to consumer complaints of creditors using technology for abusive collections practices. The law prohibits collections companies from calling a debtor's cellphone "(other than a call made for emergency purposes or made with the prior express consent of the called party) using any automatic telephone dialing system or an artificial or prerecorded voice."

But Mr. Hill had provided "prior express consent." He had told his original lender to use his cell phone, rather than an outdated home phone number. Then he gave the number to the collections company, knowing that they would use it to contact him about his debt. What he didn't realize was that by providing that number to his creditor he was also opening himself up to the use of automatic dialing and automated messages by the credit company and any later collections company that was put in charge of recovering payment on the loan.

That's why you should never give your cell phone number to a creditor or debt collection company. You may think you are just making it easier for them to reach you, but you are also stripping away important consumer protections against abusive electronic telephone collections practices.

Collections companies can be aggressive enough without debtors giving them the green light. If you are being harassed by creditors who have crossed the line, contact Dani Liblang and the consumer protection team at The Liblang Law Firm PC today for a free consultation.

Cell Phone Providers to Pay for Cramming Schemes

Have you ever gotten horoscope readings, sports scores, or medical alerts texted to you? Did you pay for them? If so, you could see a credit on your cell phone bill. These "cramming" schemes recently resulted in two nationwide settlements that could put money back in your pocket.

Give Graduates the Gift of Financial Advice

It's the season for high school graduation parties. Those recent graduates are making big decisions about how to pay for college. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has tools to help.

Dani K. Liblang Added to National Trial Lawyers' Top 100

There are few honors higher than being invited to join the National Trial Lawyers' Top 100. Attorneys on that list represent the best in the nation – you simply can't hire anyone better. Now consumer protection attorney Dani K. Liblang is joining the ranks of this prestigious organization.

The National Trial Lawyers is a professional organization made up of the best trial lawyers from across the country – representing everyday people in plaintiff's civil litigation and criminal defense. According to Executive Director Michelle Swanner,

“It is the mission of The National Trial Lawyers association to promote excellence in the legal profession through practical educational programs, networking opportunities, and legal publications that deal with current issues facing The Trial Lawyer.”

And the Top 100 are the best of the best. Selection is based on nomination by fellow lawyers and third-party research. An invitation to join is extended only to the most qualified attorneys from each state based on their qualifications of “leadership, reputation, influence, stature and public profile.” According to the National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 website,

Each of our distinguished Top 100 members possesses the knowledge, skill, experience and success held by only the finest and best lawyers in America. By combining resources, power, and influence, The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 is devoted to preserving and protecting justice for all.

That is why it is such an honor that the National Trial Lawyers have invited Attorney Dani K. Liblang to join their Top 100 for Michigan. Liblang has always had a passion for fighting for the average Joe consumer. For over 30 years, she has focused on lemon law, auto accident claims, and in fighting creditors in consumer protection lawsuits. Cases she has won for her clients have literally changed the industry – giving consumers the legal ground to fight large corporations who put defective products up for sale.

Her hard work on behalf of her clients has earned her a great reputation across Michigan, and the nation. Dani K. Liblang is one of Michigan's only consumer protection lawyers to receive the highest AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and to be certified in trial advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. She has been the chair of the State Bar of Michigan's Consumer Law Section on two separate occasions, and in 2002, Liblang was awarded the “Consumer Hero Award” by the National Association of Consumer Advocates.

Even with all these awards, Dani K. Liblang is still deeply touched by the invitation to join the National Trial Lawyers' Top 100:

As of 2014, Michigan has 34,739, licensed attorneys, so to be invited as one of the top 100 Michigan trial lawyers, feels like quite an honor. It also feels great to be invited to a join a group of lawyers dedicated to preserving justice and who are not afraid to call themselves “trial lawyers.” Every day, trial lawyers are on the front lines, standing up for ordinary citizens who have been injured or abused, discriminated against, or who have suffered economic injustice. I’m very humbled and proud to be part of this prestigious organization. 

She and her staff have worked hard to deserve this honor, and continue to bring their best to every one of their clients. If you want one of the National Trial Lawyers' Top 100 attorneys in Michigan in your corner, contact The Liblang Law Firm, PC, for a free consultation today.