Columbus School of Law

 Columbus Community Legal Services

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Paul Kurth, Consumer Project Director

CONSUMER PROTECTION PROJECT

The selection of CCLS as a recipient of a portion of the unclaimed proceeds from a consumer class action settlement led to the creation of the clinic’s Consumer Protection Project (CPP).  The goal of the CPP is to equip Montgomery County, Prince George's County, and District of Columbia at-risk consumers who may not be able to afford or access individual legal representation with the information and advice they need to protect their legal rights, avoid exploitation, and prevent legal disputes from erupting. 

Through a weekly seminar, community legal education outreach, and direct client representation, students involved in this course engage in such activities as:  provide low-income Maryland and District of Columbia residents with direct case representation before courts and agencies in Maryland and in the District of Columbia on a range of consumer-related matters, such as debt collection, wrongful repossessions, identity theft, and credit scams; conduct limited advice clinics for Maryland and District of Columbia residents; and develop and conduct "know your rights" outreach programs for Maryland and District of Columbia residents.

Students may sign up for either a 4 credit hour option or a 5 credit hour option.  Both options include mandatory attendance at the weekly CPP class seminar.  The 4 credit option will require students to commit 13 hours per week to the project and the 5 credit option will require students to commit 17 hours per week to the project; this time commitment includes the weekly seminar.  The course is open to all 2nd and 3rd year students and there are no course prerequisites. 

Students may sign up for either a 4 credit hour option or a 5 credit hour option.  Both options include mandatory attendance at the weekly CPP class seminar.  The 4 credit option will require students to commit 13 hours per week to the project and the 5 credit option will require students to commit 17 hours per week to the project; this time commitment includes the weekly seminar.  The course is open to all 2nd and 3rd year students and there are no course prerequisites.

Paul Kurth, a CUA law graduate, is director of the Consumer Protection Project; his e-mail address is kurth@law.edu or he can be reached at (202) 319-6788.