Newswise — BALTIMORE - Arbitration clauses are critical components of many contracts for consumer financial products. The Dodd-Frank Act requires the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to study the use of pre-dispute arbitration clauses, and the CFPB has the power to issue regulations to protect consumers in regard to the use of arbitration clauses.

On Wednesday, Nov. 7, the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law convenes a panel of experts to discuss the issues raised by the prevalence of arbitration clauses, and how they are used. Representatives of consumer interests, corporations, and the courts will discuss and defend their viewpoints in a session that begins at 4 p.m. and runs at least until 6 p.m. The Business Law program at the UM Carey School of Law invites your coverage of the event; your RSVP is requested.

The panelists are: F. Paul Bland, Jr., Public Justice; Christopher R. Drahozal, University of Kansas School of Law; Alan S. Kaplinsky, Ballard Spahr, LLP; Nicole Frush Munro, Hudson Cook, LLP; Hon. Randall J. Newsome, JAMS, Retired Fed. Bankruptcy Judge; and William R. Wade-Gery, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The moderator is Christine A. Edwards of Winston & Strawn, LLP.

The program is hosted through the generous support of the Pittler Fund for Excellence in Business Law. It will be held in the Ceremonial Moot Court Room. The program reflects the UM Carey School’s commitment to engaging in critical and creative thinking about cutting edge issues in business law.