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The Corporate Observer A Publication by Attorneys Devoted to Protecting Consumer Rights

Steven Berk

Contact Information

Berk Law PLLC
Washington, DC
tel: 202-232-7550
fax: 202-232-7556
steven@berklawdc.com

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Steven Berk has over twenty years of litigation experience spanning both the private and public sectors. His practice ranges from representing Fortune 500 Companies, to consumers. Steven is based in Washington, D.C. and founded Berk Law in May 2009. Steven began The Corporate Observer in 2009 as a legal blog focusing on consumer advocacy. The Corporate Observer continues to highlight the rights of consumers, whistleblowers and investors and to question the conduct of corporate interests and regulators. Steven adopted an informed, often humorous and candid "tell it like it is" attitude that still resonates with readers. The Corporate Observer continues to grow, broadening its viewpoint with additional authors and attracting an ever-growing group of readers concerned with the evolving relationship between individuals and corporations.

Posts by Steven Berk

T-Mobile’s Simplified Plans – Simply Misleading

By Steven Berk on Posted in Consumer Protection

T-Mobile made a splash last week when it announced it would begin carrying the iPhone without a contract. The company has also made headlines with a new advertisement campaign claiming We’re cancelling our membership in the out-of-touch-wireless-carrier club. But are they? Let’s move away from the iPhone to a more concrete example – a phone T-Mobile is already offering,… Continue Reading

Monday Roundup

By Steven Berk on Posted in Consumer Protection

The Monday Roundup – a weekly collection of top consumer-related news just for you. Abusive forced placed insurance policies. State and federal regulators take a stand. Consumer Affairs – “Should airlines charge by weight?” Practical or not, it’s an interesting read. Massachusetts proposes criminal background checks for financial advisors. The 12 scams of Tax-mas. FTC… Continue Reading

Banks Enabling Fraud Beware: DOJ is on the Case

By Steven Berk on Posted in Banks and Financial Services, Consumer Protection

Four years ago, I began representing victims of fraudulent schemes who filed suits against banks for providing the financial services that were essential to perpetrating the fraud.  We developed our case on the theory that the banks (some of the largest in the land) aided and abetted the fraud.  These cases seemed like “no brainers.” … Continue Reading

Monday Roundup

By Steven Berk on Posted in Consumer Protection

Here it is…Our weekly collection of the most interesting articles and stories for consumers. Enjoy. Bluetooth hackers. Make sure you’re protected. Monster Energy Drinks take a step in the right direction. New labels will include caffeine content. Contact the CFPB to help with the Student Loan Affordability Initiative. CFPB tackles discrimination in auto loans. Auto… Continue Reading

Monday Roundup

By Steven Berk on Posted in Consumer Protection

Here is your weekly Monday Roundup from sites we enjoy and frequent:  “U.S. Homes Now Have More Than Half a Billion Devices Hooked Up To The Internet” [Consumerist]  Housing Market Continues to Grow  – good news for consumers but beware of scams [Consumer Affairs] The Dangers of Buying Prescriptions Online [BBB] FTC 2012 Annual Report… Continue Reading

Whistleblower Files Suit and, Suddenly, Former Employer is Willing to Talk

By Steven Berk on Posted in Banks and Financial Services, In the Courts

Whistleblowers often risk retaliation in their quest to report wrongdoing.  Retaliation can take the subtle form of poor performance reviews or another “just missed promotion,” or the more extreme form of outright firing someone.  As the New York Times reports, Mr. Jason Williams experienced retaliation in the form of reduced pay and verbal abuse. Williams… Continue Reading

Monday Roundup

By Steven Berk on Posted in Consumer Protection

Here is your weekly Monday Roundup from sites we enjoy and frequent: Know your rights with telemarketers. McDonald’s franchise takes advantage of foreign students. DOJ Department of Consumer Protection has recovered more than $5.89 Billion since 2009. Michelle Obama encourages accurate labeling and responsible marketing for major food producers. More in food labeling: Calorie amounts… Continue Reading

A Better Title for National Consumer Protection Week: National Consumer EMPOWERMENT Week

By Steven Berk on Posted in Consumer Protection

This week, March 3rd – 9th, is the fifteenth annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW).  Yes, it is an important time to spread awareness of common scams and problems that consumers encounter.  But more importantly, it is an opportunity for us to reflect on what exactly “consumer protection” means. The White House issued a Presidential… Continue Reading

Monday Roundup

By Steven Berk on Posted in Consumer Protection

Happy National Consumer Protection Week! Here is your weekly Monday Roundup from sites we enjoy and frequent: National Consumer Protection Week “National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is a coordinated campaign that encourages consumers nationwide to take full advantage of their consumer rights and make better-informed decisions.”  This site is a “home-base” for NCPW – use… Continue Reading

Monday Roundup

By Steven Berk on Posted in Consumer Protection

Here’s your weekly Monday Roundup from sites we enjoy and frequent: Why you should complain about your vehicle (if it has problems, of course). Staples gift cards available everywhere , redeemable everywhere … except online. The CFPB on student debt and schools. More on student loans from the CFPB. Making payment affordable, now there’s an… Continue Reading

Consumers Facing Illegal Mortgage Practices

By Steven Berk on Posted in Banks and Financial Services, Consumer Protection

When consumers outsource loan services to companies, they assume that the company will have their best interests (or any interests) at heart.  Wrong.  Too many servicing companies put their own interest above those of the consumers paying the bills. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) thankfully recognizes the problem and they are on the case…. Continue Reading

Monday Roundup

By Steven Berk on Posted in Consumer Protection

After a relaxing President’s Day off, it’s time for the Monday Roundup – even on a Tuesday. Car Market The 2003 Honda Accord is ranked as the second worst vehicle Don’t just get a new car quite yet Phony Fees at Car Dealerships Whistleblower Whistleblower fired at Spirit Airlines Consumer Purchases Best Buy introduces price… Continue Reading

Monday Roundup

By Steven Berk on Posted in Consumer Protection

Student Loans – Schools Sue Students Consumerist and Bloomberg report that some schools are beginning to sue their former students for failure to repay Perkins Loans. Investment Fraud DOJ makes arrests in a $2.5 Million Ponzi Scheme The SEC cracks down on a securities fraud scheme totaling $145 Million. The alleged fraudster, Anshoo Sethi, supposedly… Continue Reading

Radio Shack $10 Coupons

By Steven Berk on Posted in Consumer Protection

Radio Shack.  What is that?  A shack?   A radio?  How old school can you get?   Sort of like the “Buggy Whip Purveyors Since 1785.”  But  give them credit, Radio Shack figured out a way to evolve and morph with the times.   This fixture in malls and strip centers across the country has made… Continue Reading

College Students, Protect Your Rights: the CFPB’s Latest Area of Interest

By Steven Berk on Posted in Banks and Financial Services, Consumer Protection

College students are not a group that immediately comes to mind when we think of “vulnerable” populations but once you start looking at their circumstances it becomes clear: college students need help.  Financial control is likely new to most students, it might even be the first time many students pay a bill on their own…. Continue Reading

Mary Jo White’s Recent Stint In Private Practice Questions Whether She Is the Right Person to Head An SEC that Must Shift From Feasting on Low Hanging Fruit

By Steven Berk on Posted in Banks and Financial Services

We recently defended a securities broker who had been banned for life for some impropriety relating to his expense account.  Amount at issue:  $1,100.  Harm to customers $0.   Time spent prosecuting the case by the SEC: substantial.  In researching that case we saw numerous examples of the SEC, time and again, using what they often… Continue Reading

WATCH IT: PBS’s The Untouchables Asks Why No Wall Street Executive Have Been Criminally Prosecuted for Loan Fraud

By Steven Berk on Posted in Banks and Financial Services

The Untouchables, PBS’ Frontline investigation into why no Wall Street executives have gone to jail for activities connected to the housing and financial sector in 2008, recently aired.  I took the time to watch it and strongly encourage each one of you to do the same –paints a very clear picture, in less than an… Continue Reading

Berk Law PLLC Challenges SEC Decision As Arbitrary And Capricious Before the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

By Steven Berk on Posted in In the Courts

On January 9, 2013, Steven Berk and Matthew Bonness appeared before the DC Circuit in the case of Saad vs. SEC to argue that the SEC’s decision affirming a “life time ban” imposed on John Saad by FINRA was arbitrary and capricious.  Mr. Saad, a securities broker with a pristine record was terminated by his… Continue Reading

CFPB Brings Practical, Well-Informed Balance to Lending Rules

By Steven Berk on Posted in Banks and Financial Services, Consumer Protection

Last week, the CFPB issued “one of our most important rules to date, the Ability-to-Repay rule.”  While the rule itself is a good step forward for consumers, what I found most interesting is the analysis of a financial market that was “reckless about lending money.”  The CFPB has always taken a very practical approach that… Continue Reading