Proposition 64 Victory! Severson Instrumental In Dramatic Change in California Litigation Environment

(Last updated December 17, 2004)

On Tuesday, November 2, by a resounding 59% to 41% margin, California voters changed the way consumer litigation will be conducted in California. Proposition 64 was drafted in significant part by Severson & Werson. The Firm was also legal counsel to the Proposition 64 Committee responsible for the initiative. In short, the measure puts an end to those features of California's unfair competition law (Bus. & Prof. Code §17200 [“UCL”]) that have led to abusive and frivolous lawsuits, and have turned California into a hotbed of consumer litigation. Most importantly, the Proposition does all this without infringing upon law enforcement actions brought under this statute or curtailing the otherwise legitimate, pro-consumer features of this law.

Severson & Werson is widely acknowledged for its predominant expertise and skill in defending 17200 cases.   For details about the impact of the new law, its applicability to pending cases, and strategies to make use of its provisions, contact Donald Querio or Regina McClendon at Severson.