Antitrust, Consumer Protection and Unfair Business Practices Section

The Antitrust, Consumer Protection, and Unfair Business Practices Section is primarily devoted to keeping its members informed about significant developments in the field of trade regulation law. Members benefit from the Section newsletter published twice annually. It focuses on topical issues including important case law developments, government enforcement initiatives and regulatory and legislative developments. The section also hosts an annual CLE covering matters of interest in the area of consumer protection, antitrust, and unfair business practices and publishes resource materials of interest to its members.

Members have the opportunity to participate in executive committee meetings, which are held quarterly. The meetings provide a rare opportunity to meet and confer with experienced trade regulation attorneys from across the state, including corporate counsel and members of the Attorney General's consumer protection and antitrust enforcement units.

Annual Report  │  Budget  │  Bylaws  │ Year in Review

Apply to Serve on the Section Executive Committee

The nomination period is March 2–31, 2020. 

Review the Volunteer Position Description, which provides a general overview of section executive committee officer positions and may differ for some sections. For more information about the Section and its Executive Committee roles, please review the Section’s bylaws. Voting will begin in May 2020.

The following positions are open for applications. All terms begin Oct. 1, 2020. 

• Co-Chair (two positions open): one-year position beginning Oct. 1, 2020, and ending Sept. 30, 2021.
• Treasurer: one-year position beginning Oct. 1, 2020, and ending Sept. 30, 2021.
• Secretary: one-year position beginning Oct. 1, 2020, and ending Sept. 30, 2021.
• At-Large Member (four positions open): three-year position beginning Oct. 1, 2020, and ending Sept. 30, 2023. 

Complete the online application. Each applicant may submit a resume, statement of interest, and letter of support to be included with your application. These documents can be uploaded with your online application (PDF format only).

Alternate Nomination Process

Nominations may be made from the membership at large via electronic notification to Secretary and/or existing Chair by any eligible member, provided that the nomination is received prior to April 15.

Questions?

Feel free to contact any member of the current Section Executive Committee or email sections@wsba.org.

Resources

Putting the Brakes on Washington's Garnishment Treadmill

Although Washington has some of the best consumer laws in the country, our state's approach to wage garnishment is inadequate. Washington's wage garnishment law does too little to protect low-income debtors and their dependents. In this article, the authors propose several reforms — including higher earnings exemptions, annual garnishment caps, and express judicial discretion to limit garnishment for hardship — that would help vulnerable consumers, unburden taxpayers, and improve the administration of justice in Washington.

Green Guide Summary

Green Guide Update: January 2013

The Federal Trade Commission

Antitrust Division – Department of Justice

American Bar Association – Section of Antitrust Law

Washington Antitrust and Consumer Protection Handbook, 3rd Edition, 2001, plus 2007 Supplement. Available online via annual subscription ($65).

Executive Committee

For general questions, please email your inquiries to sections@wsba.org. To get involved with the Section and learn more, please contact the Section co-chair, Eric Weiss.