Conference
2026 Consumer Rights Litigation Conference & Class Action Symposium
October 22 - 25, 2026
Registration Opens Summer 2026Hilton Atlanta | October 22 – 25, 2026
“The CRLC is a great place to learn, have your knowledge base reaffirmed, and get connected with like-minded advocates who can become mentors and colleagues.”
“Essential, informative, energizing!”
“An enriching and intellectually profound experience.”
Welcome to the 2026 CRLC!
Dear Colleagues,
At this critical time in the fight for consumer justice, there’s no substitute for a strong, strategic, unified consumer law community — and the annual Consumer Rights Litigation Conference is where that community comes together.
This October, we’ll gather for the 35th annual CRLC in Atlanta, the economic and cultural capital of the Southeast. In pre-conference “intensives” for attorneys new to consumer law, the main conference for practitioners of every level, and/or the post-conference Consumer Class Action Symposium for experienced class action litigators, you will:
- Learn from and engage with the nation’s leading litigators and policy experts on the latest developments in consumer litigation, industry trends, and public policy.
- Earn CLE credits while strengthening your practical litigation skills.
- Build your network by connecting with consumer advocates from across the country.
- Hear from members of Congress and other thought leaders.
- Get inspired and energized by hundreds of passionate advocates fighting for economic justice – like you.
Pre-conference intensives for those new to consumer practice on Wednesday, October 21 include a half day general Introduction to Consumer Law, followed by afternoon intro sessions focusing more specifically on auto cases or FCRA claims.
The main conference, October 22-24, features interactive sessions covering Auto Repossessions to Zombie Second Mortgages and everything in between: dozens of courses on auto loans, bankruptcy, credit reporting, debt collection, medical debt, mortgages and foreclosures, student loans, TCPA, tenant rights, practice skills, litigation strategy, ethics, and more. Throughout the conference, attendees will also have multiple opportunities to build relationships and exchange ideas with colleagues through receptions, meet-ups, and networking events.
Following the main conference, the annual Consumer Class Action Symposium on Saturday and Sunday, October 24-25, will provide experienced class action attorneys with interactive opportunities to discuss emerging developments, notable appellate rulings, ethical issues, and other hot topics in class litigation.
We hope you’ll join us in Atlanta to learn, connect, recharge, and get prepared for the fights ahead!
2026 CRLC Host Committee Co-Hosts
Roy E. Barnes
The Barnes Law Group
Cam Tribble
The Barnes Law Group
Kris Skaar
Skaar and Feagle
For more than three decades, the Consumer Rights Litigation Conference (CRLC) has been the nation’s largest and most comprehensive gathering of attorneys and advocates representing consumers – a convening of, by, and for the entire consumer law community.
The benefits of attending this essential gathering include:
- Engaging with the nation’s experts on the latest developments in consumer litigation, industry trends, and public policy.
- Hearing from the nation’s most successful consumer litigators – ask questions, share ideas, and connect with your colleagues!
- Learning powerful consumer law remedies and attorney fee recovery methods.
- Earning CLE credits while you learn from knowledgeable speakers.
- Building your network of fellow consumer advocates from all across the country.
- Getting inspired and energized by hundreds of passionate advocates fighting for economic justice, just like you.
Special Offerings This Year in Atlanta
This year’s gathering includes several special offerings for advocates of varying experience levels and areas of interest.
PRE-CONFERENCE INTENSIVES | Wednesday, October 21
Elevate your practice in a single day with our high-impact intensives, designed to take you from foundational concepts to more advanced advocacy. Register for the full day or pick either the AM or PM sessions.
■ Introduction to Consumer Law Intensive | Wednesday, October 21, 9am – 1pm
New to consumer law? This pre-conference intensive is your immersive experience in how to be an effective advocate for your clients. Join a welcoming community of peers for a day packed with hands-on case studies, dynamic discussions, and practical strategies you can implement immediately. Lunch is included for participants in the morning session.
In the afternoon, you can add (or register separately) for a half-day deep-dive focus in one of two tracks:
■ Introduction to Auto Cases Intensive | Wednesday, October 21, 1:30pm – 5:30pm
In this introductory, half-day intensive, attendees will gain a basic working knowledge of car cases, with an emphasis on used cars and subprime lenders. Our goal is to provide a solid grounding for attorneys who want to begin taking auto cases, either at legal services or in private practice. We will walk through the structure of the marketplace and key players, financing options and the issues that arise with each kind of financing, abusive add-on products, potential claims when the car has major undisclosed physical defects, and rights and remedies at the repossession and post-repossession stage.
■ Introduction to FCRA Claims Intensive | Wednesday, October 21, 1:30pm – 5:30pm
This half-day session will provide an overview of the Fair Credit Reporting Act as well as the credit reporting, tenant screening and commercial background check industries. This intensive is free for legal services attorneys thanks to a cy pres award, and open to consumer law specialists as well as employment and tenants’ rights attorneys, who will benefit from learning to spot FCRA claims to supplement their practices.
Whether you are new to consumer law or building a new practice area, these sessions will provide the specialized tools and peer connections necessary to champion consumer rights at the highest level.
ANNUAL CONSUMER CLASS ACTION SYMPOSIUM | Saturday, October 24 & Sunday, October 25
The 26th annual Class Action Symposium will include substantive panel sessions and lightning round presentations on topics of specific interest to experienced consumer class action practitioners. We will facilitate an interactive experience with a goal of sharing ideas and best practices and to support ongoing collaboration to meet the current moment. We will address emerging developments in class action practice, including notable appellate rulings, hot topics in class litigation, and pressing ethical questions, among other topics.
Nominate a Colleague
Nominate a deserving colleague for the 2026 Vern Countryman and Rising Star Awards by June 30, 2026.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Sponsorship and Exhibitors
The Consumer Rights Litigation Conference offers many tiered opportunities to help support and underwrite the cost of the CRLC, as well as ones designed for like-minded attorneys to gather, network, share stories, and enjoy each other’s company. We have found that offering co-sponsorship opportunities for these events allows for shared responsibility and ownership of them, creating a further sense of community.
CRLC by the Numbers
Attendees Expected: 900
To secure a sponsorship or discuss sponsorship options, please contact Paul Laurent at [email protected].
Press and Recording Policy
Conference proceedings are off the record and for background only. Personal electronic recording of sessions is prohibited. For press inquiries, please contact Michelle Deakin at [email protected].
Contact Information
Overall conference questions and information: [email protected]
Sponsorship information: [email protected]
Registration questions: [email protected]
CLE and eligibility questions: [email protected]
Cost-Saving Deadlines
| August 28, 2026 | Last Day to Apply for NACA Membership to receive the Early-Bird member pricing |
| September 11, 2026 | Deadline for reduced conference registration rate (Early Bird); early cancellation deadline* |
| September 23, 2026 | Deadline to apply for/renew NACA membership |
| September 29, 2026 | Deadline for discounted hotel room rate (supply limited) |
| October 7, 2026 | Last day to register online |
Refunds are only available in cases of personal or family emergencies. After September 11, 2026, the cancellation fee will be $150 and only available in cases of personal or family emergencies. Registrations can be transferred at no cost to another NACA member and/or an eligible participant.
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credits
Earn up to 15.25 CLE credits, including up to 2.5 ethics credits by attending the Main Conference. You may also earn up to 7.75 CLE credits for the Class Action Symposium, including 1.25 ethics credits, 3.25 credits for the AM pre-conference Introduction to Consumer Law session and 3.5 credits for the PM Intro to Auto Cases or Intro to FCRA Claims Intensives (6.75 for the full day if attending both AM and PM sessions on Wednesday).
Please be advised that NCLC & NACA only apply for CLE credit in states where attendees cannot apply themselves, and in the state in which the conference is hosted. In most cases, attendees will need to apply for and report their own CLE credits. We provide guidance and resources including a certificate of attendance, agenda, speaker bios and session materials to assist attendees in this process. If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected]. We’d be happy to assist you.
Networking Events
Network with the Nation’s Consumer Law Experts and Top Practitioners
Build your network with colleagues from across the country at the many networking events taking place throughout the conference.
WEDNESDAY | October 21, 2026
■ FDCPA Meeting
This session is an informal conversation about FDCPA practice that will be facilitated.
THURSDAY | October 22, 2026
■ First-Timer’s Breakfast
Speak with seasoned consumer law practitioners and mingle with fellow “first-timer’s” on the first morning of the conference before heading off to sessions.
■ Thursday Networking Lunch Groups
Self-directed, attendee-organized lunches to give attendees the chance to meet colleagues with common interests – home state, practice area, work setting, and more. Topic areas include: regional meet-ups, FCRA Payment Fraud Policy, AI Practice, and Racial Justice Litigation.
■ Welcome Reception
A festive gathering at the beginning of the conference to welcome all attendees to Atlanta and to the 2026 CRLC.
■ Social Engagement Opportunities
After the Welcome Reception, groups can continue the fun at a variety of self-organized evening activities.
FRIDAY | October 23, 2026
■ Speaker Appreciation Breakfast
NCLC and NACA are thankful to our 2026 CRLC speakers. Speakers are invited to join us at our inaugural appreciation breakfast.
■ Women’s Happy Hour
A space for advocates who identify as women (including cisgender and transgender women) as well as non-binary identifying advocates to gather, network, and discuss common challenges and opportunities in consumer law.
■ Advocates of Color Luncheon
A private luncheon for advocates of color to network and discuss issues of common interest.
■ Friday Networking Lunch Groups
Self-directed, attendee-organized lunches to give attendees the chance to meet colleagues with common interests – practice area, work setting, and more.
■ Legal Services Reception
An evening of food, conversation, and connection for legal services and non-profit attorneys.
SATURDAY | October 23, 2026
■ LGBTQ+ Breakfast
A breakfast for LGBTQ+ members of the community to gather, network, and discuss issues of common interest.
■ Awards Luncheon
Gather with the community to honor this year’s Rising Star Awardees and to announce the winner of the 2026 Vern Countryman Award, the top honor for consumer attorneys. Learn more about these awards, past winners, and how to submit a nomination here.
■ Consumer Class Action Symposium Cocktail Reception
An exclusive cocktail event for Symposium attendees (and others who pre-register for this event).
Join NACA
Are you a lawyer committed to advancing the cause of just treatment and ethical representation of consumers? Consider membership in the National Association of Consumer Advocates. Not only do you join a community of like-minded attorneys, you also save on this conference and all NCLC/NACA conferences.
Code of Conduct and Anti-Harassment Policy
NCLC and NACA are committed to a safe conference environment for everyone that emphasizes mutual respect and inclusion for all attendees. We require all conference attendees to follow our Code of Conduct and Anti-Harassment Policy, which provides a process for reporting and investigating any potential violations of those policies. Information will be available in the conference app and in follow-up communication to registrants.