Michael Thurman is an experienced trial attorney who defends lawsuits, arbitrations and regulatory actions brought against businesses and their executives and employees. He also represents business clients in private consumer protection class actions as well as government regulatory actions and investigations brought by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), state attorney generals and other regulators.

 

Mike also advises clients in various financial services industries on advertising and marketing, compliance and risk management issues to help them avoid regulatory and litigation risks .

 

As a partner for nine years at Loeb & Loeb LLP, Mike helped found the Consumer Protection Defense Department and was Co-Chair of the firm's Consumer Protection Bureau Task Force.  He previously served as the General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Wedbush Morgan Securities, managed in the Los Angeles office of Bear Stearns & Co. Inc. and was a litigation partner for the law firm of Keesal, Young & Logan. 

 

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

 

Represented the former owner of a credit card processing company in successfully defeating an attempt by the FTC attempt to secure a temporary restraining order, imposition of a court-appointed receiver and asset freeze that would have restricted the defendants from selling their services to businesses and prevented the company and individual defendants from having access to their assets. 

 

Defended a merchant processing company in a consumer class action filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging that client's marketing and sale of merchant credit card processing services violated RICO and consumer protection statutes, and various common law claims. Plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the case after his deposition was taken.

 

Defended a merchant processing company in a consumer class action filed in the San Diego Superior Court alleging client's marketing and sale of merchant credit card processing services violated California's Unfair Competition Law. Case was resolved on a single plaintiff basis with favorable terms.

 

Defended the principal of a debt settlement company in a Georgia class action alleging violations of the state's Debt Adjustment Act.

 

Resolved separate putative class actions filed against a newspaper and a national auto parts distributor based on claimed violations of California Penal Code sections prohibiting the unauthorized recording of telephone conversations.

 

Assisted businesses in updating policies, procedures and marketing materials in preparation for supervision by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

 

Defended a debt settlement company owner in consumer protection class action in Washington state court.

 

Brought a declaratory relief action on behalf of an Internet marketing company against the Federal Trade Commission in federal court in Washington, D.C. challenging the FTC's authority to seek monetary relief under Section 13(b) of the FTC Act.

 

Represented an Internet marketing company and one of its principals in an FTC enforcement action filed in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon alleging that the clients’ online shopping club and marketing violated Section 5 of the FTC Act. This case is among the first FTC enforcement actions challenging the legitimacy of online shopping clubs and the marketing of such clubs.

 

Represented an Internet marketer in an FTC enforcement action filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia alleging that the client's Internet marketing violates Section 5 of the FTC.

 

Defended an Internet marketing company and individual marketers in a state court breach of contract action.

 

Successfully represented the victims of the La Conchita landslide that killed 10 people, injured 9 others and destroyed and damaged 16 homes, recovering more than $7.5 million in damages from defendants that failed properly to maintain the hillside that failed in January 2005. 

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AFFILIATIONS

 

Licensed to practice law in California and Oregon.

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Former NASD-licensed Registered Representative and General Securities Supervisor.

 

DISTINCTIONS

 

Highest "AV Preeminent (5 out of 5)" Professional Rating, Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory

 

Member, American Bar Association, Section of Antitrust Law Consumer Protection Committee.

 

Member, California Bar Association, Antitrust and Unfair Competition Law Section.

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