Consumer Watchdog’s Legal Project attorneys advocate for consumers’ rights and hold corporations and government officials accountable in federal and state courts and before regulatory agencies.
The Legal Project specializes in highly complex litigation, including class actions in federal and state courts, to address healthcare, civil rights, government accountability, and abuses in the marketplace such as illegal overcharges, false advertising, and violations of consumer protection laws.

Latest Courtroom Articles

Consumer Watchdog Files Coast-to-Coast Briefing Challenging Presidential Tariffs in California and Washington 

San Francisco, CA and Washington, D.C. — Consumer Watchdog yesterday filed amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) briefs in two cases—one in the Ninth Circuit...

State Farm Cites Newly Announced CDI Market Conduct Exam to Oppose Consumer Participation in Rate Hearing

Los Angeles, CA — At a hearing today before the California Department of Insurance, State Farm opposed Pacific Palisades homeowner Merritt David Farren’s petition...

Court Accepts Consumer Watchdog Amicus Brief Opposing Trump Tariff Authority

Second Federal Court Ruling Yesterday Echoes Concerns Raised in Brief San Francisco, CA — A federal court yesterday granted Consumer Watchdog’s motion for leave to...

Commissioner Lara Approves Unjustified $749 Million State Farm Home Insurance Rate Hike

UPDATED 1:40PM Los Angeles, CA – A proposed decision recommending approval of State Farm General’s request for an interim rate hike was issued by an...

Consumer Watchdog Sues to Stop Hundreds of Millions of Dollars in Unjustified Surcharges from Being Imposed on California Homeowners

Los Angeles, CA – Consumer Watchdog sued the California Department of Insurance and Commissioner Ricardo Lara to protect California homeowners from hundreds of millions in...

Consumer Watchdog Urges Denial of State Farm’s Emergency Rate Hike at Conclusion of Department of Insurance Hearing

Los Angeles, CA – Consumer Watchdog delivers its closing argument today in a high-stakes hearing before the California Department of Insurance, urging the Insurance Commissioner...

Consumer Watchdog: “State Farm’s Emergency Rate Hike is Not Justified”

Consumer group urges regulators to reject rate hike as unsupported and unfair Los Angeles, CA – In the first day of hearings, Consumer Watchdog made its...

At Hearing, Consumer Watchdog Will Oppose A Deal on State Farm’s “Emergency” Home & Renters’ Insurance Rate Hike

Sacramento, CA – On Tuesday, April 8, at 10:00 AM, Consumer Watchdog will be presenting its case at the California Department of Insurance against State...

Insurers Can’t Avoid Offering Premium Discounts to Good Drivers by Creating Bogus Club Memberships

An auto insurance company must offer its lowest rate to all good drivers, and can’t hide behind so-called club memberships in order to overcharge...

State Farm – Emergency Public Rate Hearing on Request for Nearly $1 Billion Increase in Home, Renter and Condo Premiums

Public hearing begins Tuesday, April 8, 10:00 AMWATCH LIVE: https://www.youtube.com/@cdiahb3069/streamsKey documents below ** IN BOLD Consumer Watchdog is challenging State Farm’s unprecedented request for a...

State Farm Rate Hike Request Goes To Public Hearing 

As urged by Consumer Watchdog, California's Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has called a hearing on State Farm’s unprecedented request for a $900 million "emergency"...

Watchdog to Lara: State Farm Exec’s Startling Admission About Orchestrating Rate Hike Request Through Cancelled Coverage Should Be Disqualifying For Emergency Request

Los Angeles, CA - Consumer Watchdog wrote a letter to California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara with new information showing why State Farm should not...

Rate Hike Challenge Saves $25 Million for General Ins. Co. Homeowner Policyholders

Los Angeles, CA - Consumer Watchdog reached a settlement this week with General Insurance Company of America and the California Department of Insurance, resolving the...

Consumer Watchdog Opposes State Farm’s Emergency Rate Hike Following Meeting with Insurance Commissioner Lara

Los Angeles, CA – Following today’s meeting with California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, State Farm General Insurance (SFG), and the California Department of Insurance...

Consumer Watchdog Calls on Insurance Commissioner to Reject State Farm’s Unjustified Emergency Rate Hike Request

Los Angeles, CA – Consumer Watchdog has submitted two letters to Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara objecting to State Farm’s request for an emergency interim rate...

Consumer Watchdog Saves California Policyholders $47 Million in United Financial Auto Insurance Rate Hikes

Los Angeles, CA --  Consumer Watchdog reached a settlement with United Financial Casualty Company and the California Department of Insurance last week, resolving the company’s application...

Insurance Commissioner Seeks to Avoid State Review of Regulation Permitting Insurers to Use Secret Black-Box Models to Set Rates

On December 5, 2024, Consumer Watchdog sent a letter to California’s Office of Administrative Law (“OAL”) objecting to the Department of Insurance’s (“the Department”)...

Consumer Watchdog Saves Policyholders Over $325 Million from State Farm Auto Rate Hike; Dispute Erupts Between Commissioner Lara and Chief Administrative Law Judge Who...

As a result of Consumer Watchdog’s intervention, State Farm agreed to a lower rate increase of 17.7% compared to its initial 23.4% request

State Farm, Allstate and Insurance Lobbyists Ask Lara to Override Judge’s Decision

Chief Judge Says CA Insurance Regulators Flouted Consumer Protections Los Angeles, CA - The Chief Administrative Law Judge of the California Department of Insurance has...

Consumer Watchdog Litigation Director Jerry Flanagan Moves On, Is Succeeded By Experienced Consumer Protection Attorney Will Pletcher

Los Angeles, CA – Jerry Flanagan, a 22-year veteran of Consumer Watchdog, has stepped aside as Litigation Director to join the firm of Shernoff...

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