Lawdragon spoke to Of Counsel Melissa H. Nafash and Jonathan Waisnor about launching a new practice group at Labaton Keller Sucharow that now represents over a quarter million people, and counting.

Labaton Keller Sucharow's Alternative Dispute Resolution department is focused on mass arbitrations for consumers, which doesn’t have a lot of precedent in the industry.  The group represents consumers who have been injured by corporate wrongdoing but who can't bring their claims in court due to class waivers and the forced mandatory arbitration provisions in companies’ terms of service.

“For more than a decade, companies have enjoyed this get out of jail free card,” says Nafash.  “We seek to level the playing field by providing a platform and a voice to consumers as we advocate on their behalf to bring their claims against these companies.”

They’ve been able to resolve some cases where the clients received “several multitudes” of what they would have gotten had they joined the related class action, according to Waisnor.  “That’s a really big win because it helps build loyalty and trust, and proves that you’re delivering above and beyond for these people who’ve given you their time, which is a precious resource for most people,” he says.