Eric Gibbs
A founding partner at the firm, Eric has negotiated groundbreaking settlements that resulted in reforms to business practices, and have favorably shaped the laws impacting plaintiffs’ legal rights.
Our attorneys are investigating allegations that Constellation is convincing consumers to change electricity providers with a promise of a low fixed rate, which later changes to a much higher variable rate. One Illinois consumer says, “Don’t get fooled by [their] teaser rates and a $75 gift card.”
Deregulated Energy Sellers, Like Constellation, Use Teaser Rates to Lure Customers
Many states, such as California, Illinois, and New York, have deregulated their energy markets, so that in addition to utility companies, marketing companies can also sell electricity to consumers. Often, the energy is still provided by the utility, which owns the power lines and gas mains. Utilities generally need state approval to increase their rates. Deregulated providers are often free to charge whatever they like.
Deregulated sellers like Constellation NewEnergy often hire large teams of door-to-door salespeople who try to lure consumers away from their local utility to use the deregulated seller instead. They often promise a fixed electricity rate that is lower than the local utility, but when this rate expires, customers report that their rates can be double what they were paying before.
One New Jersey consumers says that Constellation failed:
to give notification when the fixed term of the contract is expiring (as promised) and secondly they raised the unpublished variable rate (which kicks in as soon as the fixed rate ends) from .0799 to .1734 cent per kWhr even though their contract says their unpublished variable rate will never be more than .1500cent per KWHR.
Our Consumer Protection Practice
Dylan Hughes
Dylan Hughes concentrates his practice on investigating and prosecuting fraud matters on behalf of whistleblowers, consumers and employees harmed by corporate misconduct.
Amy Zeman
Amy has built a reputation in the plaintiffs’ bar for delivering results and justice to consumers and sexual assault survivors in class action and mass tort litigation. The Daily Journal named her a Top Woman Lawyer in California for 2021.
Dave Stein
David Stein represents clients in federal and state cases nationwide, ranging from securities and financial fraud class actions, to product liability, privacy, and data breach suits.
Geoffrey Munroe
Geoffrey Munroe represents plaintiffs in class action and mass tort cases in federal and state courts. Northern California Super Lawyers has named him a Rising Star (2010-2016).
Steve Lopez
Steve Lopez represents consumers, employees, and whistleblowers harmed by corporate misconduct. He has prosecuted a variety of consumer protection and complex employment cases.
Our Consumer Protection Practice
For nearly 30 years, our consumer protection attorneys have challenged unfair business practices that erode consumers’ confidence and compromise their rights. We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for clients in litigation against the world’s largest corporations, earning some of the largest consumer settlements of all time and establishing our reputation as a skilled and trusted advocate for consumers