Stephanie Stephens takes a stand on behalf of consumers everywhere.
Quick Links
Press Release
Phoenix, AZ – Stephanie Stephens, represented by the Consumer Justice Law Firm and Klein & Sheridan, has filed a class action lawsuit against the American Arbitration Association (AAA) in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona. The lawsuit alleges that the AAA has created an illegal monopoly in consumer arbitrations, harming competition and consumers by ensuring they have no choice in choosing among arbitration forums or even what arbitrator AAA assigns to them.
The complaint highlights the predatorial behavior of the AAA in its attempt to corner the market on consumer arbitrations through practices that include cut-rate pricing on arbitrations, rules that disallow discovery into corporations’ tactics, and shockingly abysmal outcomes for consumers. The AAA’s monopoly has resulted in consumers losing 73% of the time nationally and even higher rates in certain states, such as 89% in West Virginia.
Stephanie Stephens, a resident of Maricopa County, Arizona, is bringing this case to protect the interests of consumers and to challenge the unfair and anticompetitive practices of the AAA. The lawsuit seeks to forbid exclusivity in forced arbitration clauses and to destroy the anticompetitive arrangement that has deprived consumers of their rights and remedies.
“Consumers deserve a fair and neutral forum to resolve their disputes, not a rigged game where they are fleeced like sheep,” said Benjamin Sheridan, attorney for Stephanie Stephens. “This case is about choice and ensuring that consumers have access to a competitive marketplace for dispute resolution.”
The lawsuit also emphasizes the importance of bringing this case to protect the interests of consumers and to fight against the evils of forced arbitration. The AAA’s practices have created a second-tiered justice system that provides consumers with no choice in the forum, the arbitrator, or the rules, resulting in a massive loss rate for consumers.
Stephanie Stephens and the law firms of Consumer Justice and Klein & Sheridan are committed to challenging the AAA’s monopolistic practices and advocating for the rights of consumers. This case is a crucial step in the fight against forced arbitration and the protection of consumer interests.
Case name and civil action number:
Stephanie Stephens v. American Arbitration Association, Civil Action No. 2:25CV1650-PHX-JJT (D. Ariz.)
Attorneys for Plaintiff and putative class:
David Chami and Susan Rotkis
Consumer Justice Law Firm, Scottsdale, Arizona
Benjamin Sheridan and Jed Nolan
Klein & Sheridan, LC, Hurricane, West Virginia
www.kleinsheridan.com
Media Contacts:
David A. Chami
Consumer Justice Law Firm
8095 North 85th Way
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
T: (480) 626-2359
E: dchami@consumerjustice.com
Susan Rotkis
Consumer Justice Law Firm
2290 East Speedway Boulevard
Tucson, AZ 85719
T: (602) 807-1504
E: srotkis@consumerjustice.com
Ben Sheridan
Klein & Sheridan
3566 Teays Valle Road
Hurricane, WV 25526
T: (304) 562-7111
E: ben@kleinsheridan.com
Media Coverage
With broad national implications for consumers everywhere, news media and consumer watchdogs are covering the Stephanie Stephens lawsuit.
Reuters: Lawsuit accuses American Arbitration Association of monopolizing consumer market
Bloomberg Law: American Arbitration Association Hit With Antitrust Claims
Wikipedia: Stephens v. American Arbitration Association
The Cogitating Consumer: You’ve Probably Already Signed Away Your Rights to the American Arbitration Association. And Didn’t Realize It.
