Consumer Protection Clinic – 7030

The Consumer Protection Clinic represents individuals who are victims of marketplace fraud or who have disputes regarding consumer credit, debt collection, motor vehicle fraud, predatory lending or similar matters. The Clinic also assists legislators, regulators, and advocacy groups in policy matters, such as drafting consumer protection legislation.

The Clinic is a two semester course open to second and third year students. Students receive four credits for the first semester and three credits for the second semester. Students attend class for three hours per week in the first semester and for one hour per week in the spring semester. Classroom sessions teach basic concepts in consumer protection law.  

Students generally are assigned at least one case to be handled individually. Clinic students also are assigned a policy project or more complex case handled in teams of two or more students. Examples of cases/projects include the following:

• Represented homeowner with predatory mortgage loan and successfully rescinded the loan under the Truth in Lending Act.
• A team of three students drafted legislation amending the payday lending statute in Minnesota, and testified before Minnesota House and Senate committees hearing the legislation.
• Prevailed on summary judgment in issue of first impression under the Fair Debt Collections Practice Act, Hagen v. Messerli & Kramer, 85 F.Supp.3d 1028 (2015) (and awarding $23,000 in attorney’s fees).
• Obtained recovery for north Minneapolis homeowner from contractor following incomplete and defective work to repair damage from tornado.

Students also advise clients who have unresolved complaints filed with the United States Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).