ABA Section of Antitrust Law Announces Consumer Protection Fellowships

CHICAGO, October 7, 2004 – In a pilot project established by the American Bar Association Section of Antitrust Law, in cooperation with the National Association of Attorneys General, eight law students will be named as fellows for the summer of 2005 and will serve in the consumer protection departments of the offices of selected state attorneys general. The fellowships are being granted by the Section of Antitrust Law and are named in memory of the late Janet D. Steiger, who served as a member of the Federal Trade Commission from 1989 to 1997 and as FTC chair from 1989 to 1995. Steiger was instrumental in elevating the status of consumer protection in this country, while dramatically improving the level of communication, cooperation and coordination between the FTC and NAAG.

In announcing the pilot program, section chair Richard J. Wallis, Redmond, Wash., said, “This program serves the dual purpose of providing an opportunity for law students who have a keen interest in both public service and consumer protection to work in this important field, including those students who would perhaps otherwise be financially constrained from doing so, and extending the reach of the section into the law school community. We are very pleased to be able to honor the memory of the late Janet D. Steiger in this way.

Wallis was joined in applauding the effort to launch the program by William H. Sorrell, president of NAAG and attorney general of Vermont. “I am very pleased that the American Bar Association’s Antitrust Section is launching this important project,” said Sorrell. “With the states involved in so many cutting-edge consumer protection issues, the fellowships will provide an invaluable experience for these law students. The ABA is to be complimented for its foresight.”

“Janet Steiger demonstrated the spirit of cooperation and commitment that represents the very best in public service,” said Deborah Platt Majoras, chairman of the FTC. “The Steiger Fellowship Program is a fitting tribute to her legacy.”

The states of Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Mississippi, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont and Wisconsin have been selected to participate in the first year of the fellowship program.

The project is part of an overall effort by the section and NAAG to provide unique training opportunities to deserving law students who may wish to consider public service as a profession, while at the same time assisting states that are in need of additional resources to fulfill their mission. The section has agreed to provide stipends to each law student who is selected. The selections will be made jointly by the particular state attorney general’s office and the section.

The ABA Section of Antitrust Law, with more than 9,000 members, is the leading national forum for ongoing analysis of policies and developments affecting competition and consumer protection law.

With more than 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law in a democratic society.