Rachel A. Straus defends clients in high-stakes consumer class actions and complex litigation throughout the country and at both the trial and appellate level. In addition to her litigation practice, Rachel regularly counsels clients on marketing and advertising issues, compliance with state and national consumer protection laws, and risk mitigation.
Her clients include automotive companies, consumer goods manufacturers and retailers, dietary supplement companies, furniture and home goods companies, apparel and fashion businesses.
Rachel has extensive experience representing auto manufacturers and distributors in economic defect class actions alleging that the failure to disclose alleged defects constitutes a violation of various consumer protection and warranty laws, including California’s Consumers Legal Remedies Act, Unfair Competition Law and Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.
She has defended class actions against Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Hyundai and Ford, as well as other manufacturers facing defect allegations related to anti-lock brakes, fuel tanks, window regulator assemblies, air bags, noxious odors, transmissions and cybersecurity.
Rachel also has substantial experience defending Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) cases and advising her clients on how to avoid violating the TCPA.
Rachel is most proud of her work with clients to devise creative litigation resolutions and strategies. For example, on several occasions when her clients were sued in class actions, Rachel created innovative market actions and worked with her clients to implement various recalls and service campaigns.
She was then able to get these cases disposed at the early stage of litigation by arguing that the market actions, recalls and service campaigns mooted the individual and class claims.
Rachel also maintains an active pro bono practice. Most recently, she obtained a winning verdict in a family law trial representing a client challenging the validity of a divorce the husband sought in Egypt.
Education:
- J.D., cum laude, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University, 2006
- Arts and Entertainment Law Journal, Assistant Editor
- Heyman Center on Corporate Governance Scholar
- B.A., with distinction, University of Wisconsin, 1998 (Religious Studies and History)
- B.A., with distinction, University of Wisconsin, 1998 (Religious Studies and History)
- Phi Eta Sigma
- Golden Key Honor Society
- Dean’s List
Bar Admissions:
- California
- New York
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Community Involvement:
- Team Prime Time, Volunteer
- Culver City Chamber of Commerce
Cost
Rate : $$$