The Litigation Project centers cases that support those facing systemic and historical oppression in the United States. Americans who have been intentionally excluded from access to credit and financial services are often those who are preyed upon in the marketplace. As a result, we prioritize cases that highlight and seek to correct the harm to Black, Indigenous, and other people of color; immigrants; people with disabilities; and LGBTQ+ people.
Substantive Priorities
- Housing stability and wealth preservation
- Debtor rights
- Borrower rights
- Financial wellbeing for justice involved people
- Student borrower rights & access to quality education
- Algorithmic bias & credit discrimination
- Payment fraud & access to banking
- Credit reporting
- Junk fees
- Automobile fraud & abusive financing
Case Selection Criteria
NCLC considers the following factors in selecting cases, to ensure the most impact: the financial impact the conduct has on consumers, including the loss of money, public benefits, equity and/or assets, and its interference with economic stability, wealth building and access to credit; the need and potential for injunctive relief and business practice changes that can impact industry standards; the unique importance of the legal issue to low income and systemically marginalized consumers; whether the litigation supports grassroots organizing led by the people most impacted; the likelihood of success on the merits; the availability of staff, qualified co-counsel and financial resources; the novelty of the issues presented; the promotion of issue and geographic diversity within the project’s litigation docket; and the support the litigation lends to NCLC advocacy priorities and work.
Client Eligibility Guidelines
In general, for NCLC to provide representation in a case, the client’s income must not exceed 200% of the federal poverty level or otherwise meet our eligibility guidelines. NCLC does not consider the ability of the client to pay attorneys fees and will not require clients to pay attorneys fees, other than from an award in the case. In all of our cases, we adhere to the NACA class action guidelines.
NCLC does not have the resources to receive and review complaints sent directly by consumers. Individuals seeking representation must obtain local counsel. For assistance finding a lawyer, click here. In addition, NCLC does not provide representation in personal injury, mass tort, or consumer product liability cases.
Co-Counseling with NCLC
NCLC accomplishes its litigation goals by marshaling strong and diverse co-counseling partnerships, including with large and small private plaintiff law firms, solo practitioners, legal services organizations, and other nonprofits. For more information on co-counseling, view Co-Counseling with NCLC or email us at [email protected].