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Course Details

This CLE webinar will offer guidance to class action defense counsel on emerging issues and claims under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the impact of McLaughlin Chiropractic Associates, Inc. v. McKesson Corp., ___ U.S. ___ (June 20, 2025). The panel will review recent developments in TCPA jurisprudence, analyze cases alleging violation of the TCPA’s “quiet hours” provisions, keyword avoider cases, and other new claims; offer defense approaches to compelling arbitration, challenging certification, identify potential merits defenses; and posit discovery strategies for reducing settlement leverage.

Faculty

Description

In any TCPA class action, defendants want strategies for preventing costly discovery and getting the case resolved in their favor as quickly as feasible. Before McLaughlin, the parties could rely on district court deference to FCC guidance about what the TCPA meant, or alternatively take advantage of ambiguities in the statute if there were no FCC guidance. After McLaughlin, ensconced FCC guidance is open to wider attacks, which creates both uncertainty and opportunity. 

One rapidly proliferating theory of TCPA liability is that defendants initiated calls or messages outside the designated quiet hours, and that plaintiffs consented to receive communications but did not agree to receive them during the quiet hours. Another type of case involves consumers trying to out-smart opt-out technology by responding to text messages with phrases like “please don’t text me anymore.” Our panelists will assess these theories and others like them.

Additionally, consumer arbitration agreements remain a potent vehicle for mitigating litigation risk. Any defense to claims under consumer statutes must weigh the risk of having to field mass arbitration and the impact, if any, of McLaughlin in that context.  

Listen as this panel of TCPA class action defense lawyers discusses best practical strategies regarding class certification, risks of mass arbitration, merits defenses, pros and cons of bifurcated discovery, and how to reduce plaintiffs’ potential leverage points.


Outline

I. Overview of TCPA

A. New rules effective Apr. 11, 2025

B. Quiet hours rules

II. Allegations in quiet hours and key word avoider class actions

III. Defenses and strategy considerations

A. Arbitration

B. Substantive defenses, such as consent and inadequate revocation

C. Class Certification

III. Discovery considerations

Benefits

The panel will review these and other key issues:

  • What is the impact of McLaughlin?
  • What problems exist when trying to determine the “called party's location” for wireless devices?
  • What are strategic considerations involving arbitration?