Christopher E. Roberts
Top rated consumer law attorney in St. Louis, Missouri
Butsch Roberts & Associates LLC
Practice Areas: Consumer law, Class action & mass torts
Licensed in Missouri since: 2009
Education: University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law
Selected to Rising Stars: 2018 - 2022 Butsch Roberts & Associates LLC
231 South Bemiston AvenueSuite 260
St. Louis, MO 63105 Phone: 314-863-5700 Email: Christopher E. Roberts Visit website
Details
The primary focus of Mr. Roberts's practice is representing consumers in class action litigation. He has successfully resolved class action cases against debt collectors, debt resolution/consolidation companies, timeshare companies, dealerships, gyms and telemarketers.
Mr. Roberts's practice also includes representing people with individual consumer-related claims. He has successfully represented people who have had: default judgments improperly entered against them, their wages improperly garnished, their driver's license improperly suspended because of a judgment, improper interest amounts collected from them, or even lawsuits improperly filed against them.
When Mr. Roberts is not litigating cases, he makes a concerted effort to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in class action litigation and consumer law. As part of this effort, Mr. Roberts frequently contributes to the American Bar Association (ABA) and The Missouri Bar about class action litigation and consumer law issues.
Mr. Roberts is a nationally-published author and a nationally-recognized lecturer on class action issues. In 2018, the ABA published a book in which Mr. Roberts wrote a chapter about class action law in the Eighth Circuit. Additionally, Mr. Roberts has written multiple nationally-published articles for the ABA about various issues concerning class action litigation. Mr. Roberts has also presented a lecture to ABA members about the latest developments in the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
In addition, Mr. Roberts has presented multiple lectures for The Missouri Bar about class action litigation and various consumer law issues.
First Admitted: 2009, Missouri
Professional Webpage: http://www.butschroberts.com/attorneys-staff/christopher-e-r...
Educational Background:
- University of Kansas - Bachelor of General Studies - Political Science (2006); Bachelor of General Studies - Communication Studies (2006) , 2006
- University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law - Juris Doctor (2009), 2009
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Pathways to Independence (St. Louis, Missouri) - Board of Directors (2012-June 2018) I proudly served as a member of the Board of Directors for Pathways to Independence. Pathways to Independence supports a group of adults with learning disabilities and associated disorders that have no other resource to turn to for group social development. In many cases, our clients have never fit in socially and are now forming the first meaningful relationships and friendships of their lives. PTI’s program teaches interpersonal skills and how to apply them through community-based events and activities that help the participants feel more comfortable and experience success both in their personal and work relationships., 2017
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- I presented a lecture for United States Arbitration and Mediation about how to identify successful and unsuccessful class action cases and how to effectively mediate class action cases. I discussed ways to increase the likelihood of a successful mediation of a class action case and the nuances of mediating class action cases. , Lecturer , Identifying and Mediating Class Action Cases: Plaintiff and Defense Lawyers' Perspectives, United States Arbitration and Mediation , 2021
- To understand the differences in each Federal Circuit's laws concerning class action litigation, 2021 Survey of Federal Class Action Law: A U.S. Supreme Court and Circuit-by-Circuit Analysis, contains an up-to-date analysis of class action law in each of the Federal Circuits. I authored the chapter on class action law in the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has appellate jurisdiction over federal courts in Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota., Author, 2021 Survey of Federal Class Action Law: A U.S. Supreme Court and Circuit-by-Circuit Analysis, American Bar Association, 2021
- I presented a lecture for the American Bar Association's Consumer Litigation Committee about the Supreme Court's TCPA decision, Facebook, Inc. v. Duguid. I provided an overview of decision, discussed the ramifications of the decision and explained what the decision means for TCPA litigation in the future. , Lecturer, Supreme Court's Facebook Decision Upends TCPA Litigation Landscape, American Bar Association , 2021
- I presented a continuing legal education program for the Missouri Bar's Solo and Small Firm Conference about using the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and other laws to combat unsolicited cell phone calls and text messages. The program detailed the elements of a TCPA claim, recent case law concerning the TCPA and practical tips for pursuing TCPA cases. The program also discussed how lawyers can further strengthen a case by using state telemarketing laws and the Fair Debt Collection Protection Act., Lecturer, Rikki, Please Lose My Number: Helping Clients Use the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and Other Laws to Fight Annoying Robocalls and Text Messages, The Missouri Bar, 2020
- I contributed to a presentation put on by the Federal Communications Bar Association concerning Facebook, Inc. v. Duguid et al., a case currently pending before the United States Supreme Court. I presented a moot court argument of the case in which I represented Mr. Duguid. The moot court judges were counsel for the respective parties in the case pending before the Supreme Court. I also provided insight about how I expected the Court to resolve the case., Lecturer, Facebook, Inc. v. Duguid et al. and Key Legal Issues under the TCPA, Federal Communications Bar Association, 2020
- I presented a lecture with two other attorneys for the American Bar Association's Consumer Litigation Committee about the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on various consumer protection laws. The panel discussed issues arising under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and various state consumer protection statutes. The panel also discussed complexities in the law presented by COVID-19 and practical solutions how to best comply with consumer protection statutes in light of the COVID-19 pandemic., Lecturer, Consumer Financial Protection Challenges Amid COVID-19, American Bar Association , 2020
- I presented a continuing legal education program for the Missouri Bar about the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. The program focused on using the TCPA to combat unsolicited calls and text messages sent to cell phones. The program detailed the elements of a TCPA claim, recent case law concerning the TCPA and practical tips for pursuing TCPA cases., Lecturer , Using the Telephone Consumer Protection Act to Fight Back Against Robocalls, Unsolicited Calls and Spam Text Messages, The Missouri Bar , 2020
- 2020 Survey of Federal Class Action Law: A U.S. Supreme Court and Circuit-by-Circuit Analysis is a valuable tool for both in-house and outside counsels who confront the prospect of litigating class actions in Federal Circuits with which they may have little or no experience and must make informed recommendations on removal. Succinct summaries are prepared by litigators from each of the respective Circuits and address changes in rules and statutes as well as significant case law., Author, 2020 Survey of Federal Class Action Law: A U.S. Supreme Court and Circuit-by-Circuit Analysis, American Bar Association, 2020
- I presented a lecture (with two other attorneys) for the American Bar Association's Consumer Litigation Committee about relevant issues in TCPA litigation. The lecture discussed a pending Supreme Court case that may address whether a provision of the TCPA violates the First Amendment, recent court decisions concerning what types of systems are considered to be automatic telephone dialing systems under the TCPA and the enactment of the TRACED Act. , Lecturer, Hot Topics in TCPA Litigation, American Bar Association, 2020
- I presented a continuing legal education program for the Missouri Bar about how to turn a collection defense case into a case for your client. The program detailed strategies for pursuing potential cases for clients who have been sued in debt collection cases and strategies for how to best identify cases for your client., Lecturer, How to Turn a Collection Defense Case Into a Case for Your Client, The Missouri Bar, 2020
- I presented a lecture for The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis about how to identify potential class action cases. The presentation detailed the fundamentals of class action practice, examples of potentially effective class action cases, cases to avoid, and a review of statutes that are often invoked in class action cases. The presentation included a discussion of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act (MMPA)., Lecturer, You Have Class! How to Identify Class Action Cases in Your Everyday Life and Practice, The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, 2019
- I authored an article for the American Bar Association's Consumer Litigation Committee. The article provides practical tips for tracking down businesses behind robocalls and spam text messages. The article also provides practical tips for determining whether the business behind the calls and texts is worth pursuing a case against under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. , Author, Tips for Tracking Down and Pursuing Robocallers and Spam Texters, American Bar Association, 2019
- I co-authored an article that was published by the American Bar Association's Consumer Litigation Committee. The article addresses the differing court interpretations of what systems are and are not considered to be automatic telephone dialing systems under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. , Author, Competing Definitions of an Auto-Dialer Under the TCPA, American Bar Association, 2019
- Survey of Federal Class Action Law: A Circuit-by-Circuit Analysis, assists class action practitioners to understand the differences in each circuit's laws by including an up-to-date analysis of class action law in each of the Federal Circuits. I authored the chapter on class action law in the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has appellate jurisdiction over federal courts in Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota., Author, 2018 Survey of Federal Class Action Law: A Circuit-by-Circuit Analysis, American Bar Association, 2018
- I presented a lecture with two other attorneys for the American Bar Association's Consumer Litigation Committee about the evolving definition of an "automatic telephone dialing system" as defined by the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. The lecture discussed numerous FCC orders and court decisions that have defined the types of systems considered to be automatic telephone dialing systems under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. The lecture focused on the difference of opinion between the courts as to the definition of an automatic telephone dialing systems and offered practical suggestions to practitioners about litigating TCPA cases., Lecturer, The Evolving Definition of an Automatic Telephone Dialing System Under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, American Bar Association - Consumer Litigation Committee, 2018
- This article was published by the American Bar Association's Consumer Litigation Committee. The article discusses new and emerging issues arising under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and how these issues may impact attorneys representing debt collectors and consumers., Author, Emerging Issues Under The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, American Bar Association , 2017
- I presented a continuing legal education program for The Missouri Bar on how to recover attorney's fees and costs in debt collection cases brought against your client. The program focused on how to not only defend these cases but how to turn these cases into a more lucrative case for the client. I discussed how to use the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and other statutes to successfully advocate for your client and how to potentially turn a single debt collection case into a much larger class action case., Lecturer, Recovering Costs and Attorney's Fees Defending Debt Collection Cases, The Missouri Bar, 2017
- I presented at the Missouri Bar's Solo and Small Firm Conference about how to contest arbitration clauses. The presentation detailed issues to identify and analyze in determining whether an arbitration clause can be successfully contested. The presentation also provided an overview of the current case law concerning arbitration clauses and the future of arbitration clauses in consumer agreements. , Lecturer, How to Contest an Arbitration Clause, The Missouri Bar, 2016
- I presented at The Missouri Bar's Solo and Small Firm Conference about how to identify potential class action cases. The presentation detailed the fundamentals of class action practice, examples of potentially effective class action cases, cases to avoid, and a review of statutes that are often invoked in class action cases. The presentation included a discussion of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act (MMPA)., Lecturer, You Have Class! How to Identify Class Actions in Your Everyday Practice, The Missouri Bar , 2014
- This article was published by the American Bar Association's Class Actions & Derivative Suits Committee. The article provides a framework for maneuvering the home-state exception to the Class Action Fairness Act (CAFA). The article is useful for plaintiff's counsel seeking to remand a case to state court using CAFA's home-state exception. The article is also useful for defense counsel seeking to defeat an argument raised under the home-state exception. , Author, A Guide to Navigating CAFA's Home-State Exception, American Bar Association, 2013
- This article was published by the American Bar Association's Class Actions & Derivative Suits Committee. The article provides guidance to class action practitioners as to how to draft a class action complaint in a manner that assists with avoiding a successful Rule 12 motion to dismiss., Author, Class Actions 101: Surviving a Rule 12 Motion to Dismiss, American Bar Association, 2013
- This article focuses on the net neutrality debate and offers a creative solution for maintaining a free and open internet. , Author, Can I Still Google My Yahoo? Reframing the Net Neutrality Debate - Why Legislation Actually Means Deregulation, University of Missouri-Kansas City Law Review, 2009
- This article focuses on how schools can protect and advance their educational missions while protecting students' First Amendment rights. The article focuses on students' First Amendment rights in the context of online speech (i.e. cyberspeech). , Author, Is MySpace Their Space? Protecting Student Cyberspeech in a Post-Morse v. Frederick World, University of Missouri-Kansas City Law Review, 2008
Verdicts/Settlements:
- Ylvisaker et al. v. Clarkson Eyecare, LLC - I served as class counsel in a class action lawsuit against Clarkson Eyecare, LLC. The suit alleged Clarkson overcharged sales tax on certain purchases. There were over 275,000 people in the class. The case settled for $3.5 million. , 2021
- Martin v. Wakefield & Associates, Inc. (Settlement) - I served as class counsel in a class action lawsuit against Wakefield & Associates. The suit alleged Wakefield attempted to collect improper interest amounts on certain medical debts. There were over 500 people in the class. The settlement provided approximately $600,000 in benefits to the class members in the form of cash payments, debt elimination and prospective changes in Wakefield's collection practices as to the debts at issue. , 2020
- Wicks et al. v. Title Loan Company d/b/a The Loan Machine (Settlement) - I served as class counsel in a lawsuit against The Loan Machine alleging counts of wrongful garnishment and unjust enrichment. The lawsuit alleged The Loan Machine violated the law by taking default judgments against consumers based on returns of service that were not signed by a process server who was appointed by the court. The settlement resulted in the class having over $1.5 million in debt eliminated, receiving over $200,000 in cash payments and having the default judgments entered against them set aside. , 2020
- Harding and Moore v. Wakefield & Associates, Inc. (Settlement) - I served as class counsel in a class action brought under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act against Wakefield & Associates, Inc. The lawsuit alleged that Wakefield violated the FDCPA by making misrepresentations in affidavits it filed in Missouri courts. The case resulted in a settlement in which the class members received $240,000.00 in cash payments and had over $230,000.00 of medical debt eliminated. , 2019
- Gould v. Farmers Insurance Exchange et al. (Settlement) - I served as class counsel in a Telephone Consumer Protection Act case against Farmers Insurance. The lawsuit alleged Farmers violated the TCPA when its agents sent text message advertisements to the class members. The case included approximately 25,000 class members and a settlement fund of $1.875 was made available as part of the settlement. , 2019
- Beaton v. Rent-A-Center, Inc. (Settlement) - I served as class counsel in a lawsuit against Rent-A-Center, Inc. alleging violations of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act. The lawsuit alleged Rent-A-Center violated the MMPA by taking default judgments against consumers based on returns of service that were not signed by a process server who was appointed by the court. The settlement resulted in the class receiving cash payments and having the default judgments entered against them set aside. The case settled for cash payments of over $180,000 to the class members and over $300,000 of debt elimination and debt reduction. , 2019
- Maierhoffer et al. v. Blitt & Gaines, P.C. (Settlement) - I served as class counsel in a lawsuit against Blitt & Gaines, P.C. alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The case settled for $525,000.00. The lawsuit alleged Blitt & Gaines violated the FDCPA by taking default judgments against consumers based on returns of service that were not signed by a process server who was appointed by the court. The settlement resulted in the class receiving cash payments and having the default judgments entered against them set aside., 2019
- Harris v. Wakefield & Associates, Inc. (Settlement) - I served as class counsel in a lawsuit against Wakefield & Associates, Inc. alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and Missouri Merchandising Practices Act. The lawsuit alleged Wakefield violated the FDCPA and MMPA by taking default judgments against consumers based on returns of service that were not signed by a process server who was appointed by the court. The settlement resulted in the consumers receiving a full refund of any amounts they paid to Wakefield after the judgments were entered, the elimination of approximately $300,000.00 in debt and an award of attorney's fees., 2019
- Tims v. Title Loan Company d/b/a The Loan Machine (Verdict) - I obtained a verdict in a wrongful garnishment action in the amount of $224,000 (reduced by $30,000 after applying setoff). My client had her wages garnished for nearly three years despite never having been served with a collection lawsuit. I was able to get the judgment set aside, the garnished funds returned and obtained the $224,000 verdict in my client's favor., 2018
- Rosenbloom v. Jet's America, Inc. (Settlement) - I served as class counsel in a class action lawsuit brought under the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act against Jet's Pizza. The lawsuit alleged that Jet's charged consumers more than the advertised price for deals or specials after selecting certain “Premium” toppings, which deals or specials included a specific number of toppings for a single advertised price. Each class member received value of more than double their out-of-pocket loss as a condition of settlement. , 2018
- Loness v. US Legal Services Group (Settlement) - I served as class counsel in an arbitration proceeding. The suit alleged that US Legal Services Group violated the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act by charging "legal" and "retainer" fees, while not being a law firm or acting through attorneys licensed in Missouri. The case settled for $125,000.00. Each class member received an average of over $600.00., 2018
- Huber v. Big St. Charles Motor Sports (Settlement) - I served as class counsel in a class action lawsuit against a dealership for charging an administrative fee in violation of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act and Missouri statutes governing the unauthorized practice of law. Over $1,000,000 of value was made available to the class members. Each class member was entitled to receive the full value of the amount of the administrative fee they paid to the dealership. , 2018
- Neistat v. McDaniel (Verdict) - I defended an individual in a personal injury matter resulting from an automobile accident. The case was tried to a jury in St. Louis City Circuit Court. I received a defendant's verdict., 2017
- In re: Life Time Fitness, Inc. Telephone Consumer Protection Act Litigation (Settlement) - My firm successfully represented a class of persons in a lawsuit against Life Time Fitness, Inc. The lawsuit alleged Life Time Fitness violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) by improperly sending text message marketing to the class members' cell phones without first obtaining the appropriate form of consent from the class members. The settlement was valued at approximately $10,000,000., 2017
- Rose v. Wakefield & Associates (Settlement) - I successfully represented a class of Missouri consumers in a Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) lawsuit against Wakefield & Associates. The lawsuit alleged Wakefield violated the FDCPA by misstating the principal amount of debts purportedly owed by the class of consumers. The total settlement was valued at $155,000. Each class member was sent a check by the settlement administrator and did not have to submit a claim to receive compensation. , 2016
- Wallach v. Federal Financial Group LLC (Settlement) - I successfully represented a class of Missouri persons in a lawsuit against Federal Financial Group LLC. The lawsuit alleged FFG violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) by improperly placing telephone marketing to the class members' cell phones without first obtaining the appropriate form of consent from the class members. The settlement was valued at approximately $200,000., 2016
- Lewis v. Spinnaker Resorts, Inc. (Settlement) - I successfully represented a class of consumers against a timeshare in a Missouri Merchandising Practices Act (MMPA) lawsuit. The lawsuit alleged Spinnaker violated the MMPA by overcharging consumers for the cost of recording deeds. Spinnaker denied liability but agreed to repay the consumers in full for the alleged overcharged amounts as part of the settlement. Each settlement class member was sent a check by the settlement administrator and did not have to submit a claim to receive compensation. , 2016
- Moore v. Family Dollar Stores, Inc. (Settlement) - I successfully represented a class of persons in a lawsuit against Family Dollar Stores, Inc. The lawsuit alleged Family Dollar violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) by sending text messages to consumers without first obtaining the consumers' prior express written consent. The case involved a unique issue concerning the interpretation of the FCC's regulation concerning prior express written consent. The settlement was valued at approximately $1,500,000., 2016
- S v. K (Verdict) - I defended an individual in a personal injury matter resulting from an automobile accident. The case was tried to a jury in St. Louis County Circuit Court. I received a defendant's verdict., 2014
- Kissel v. Liberty Acquisitions Servicing LLC (Settlement) - I successfully represented a class of thousands of Missouri consumers in a lawsuit against Liberty Acquisitions Servicing, LLC. The lawsuit alleged Liberty violated the FDCPA by charging consumers improper amounts of interest. The settlement was valued at approximately $120,000. , 2014
- Harbison et al. v. Pech, Hughes & McDonald et al. (Settlement) - I successfully represented a class of over 1,000 consumers who had false service returns filed in debt collection cases in Missouri courts. The class action was brought under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and Missouri's notary statutes. The settlement was valued at approximately $350,000., 2014
- Lemay v. Rocket Lawyer, Inc. (Settlement) - I successfully represented a class of thousands of Missouri consumers in a lawsuit against Rocket Lawyer, Inc. The lawsuit alleged Rocket Lawyer's offering of online legal services violated Missouri's statutes pertaining to the unauthorized practice of law and the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act (MMPA). The settlement was valued at approximately $1.5 million. , 2014
Bar/Professional Activity:
- American Bar Association - Class Actions & Derivative Suits Committee (2012-present). I currently serve as a member of the American Bar Association's Class Actions & Derivative Suits Committee., 2021
- American Bar Association - Consumer Litigation Committee (2016-Present) - I currently serve as a member of the American Bar Association's Consumer Litigation Committee. I served as co-chair of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and Telephone Consumer Protection Act subcommittee from 2016-2021. I currently serve as the chair of the committee on TCPA litigation. , 2021
- The Missouri Bar - Solo and Small Firm Committee (2014-present) I have served as the Vice Chair of the Planning Committee for The Missouri Bar's Solo and Small Firm Conference from 2014-present. , 2021
Honors/Awards:
- I was peer-selected as one of St. Louis's best lawyers in the field of Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions for Plaintiffs. , 2022 Best Lawyers - Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Plaintiffs, St. Louis Magazine, 2022
- I was peer-selected as one of St. Louis's best lawyers in the field of Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions for Plaintiffs. , 2021 Best Lawyers - Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Plaintiffs, St. Louis Magazine, 2021
- I was selected as a 2021 Rising Star in the area of Consumer Law by Super Lawyers magazine., Rising Stars , Super Lawyers, 2021
- I was selected as a 2020 Rising Star in the area of Consumer Law by Super Lawyers magazine., Rising Stars, Super Lawyers, 2020
- I was selected as a 2019 Rising Star in the area of Consumer Law by Super Lawyers magazine., Rising Stars, Super Lawyers, 2019
- I was selected as a 2018 Rising Star in the area of Consumer Law by Super Lawyers magazine., Rising Stars, Super Lawyers, 2018
- I was selected from over 170 nominees by Missouri Lawyers Weekly as a 2013 Up & Coming Lawyer. The Up & Coming Lawyer award is given to an attorney who is 40 years old or younger or has practiced law for 10 or fewer years. An Up & Coming Lawyer is recognized as a high achiever who epitomizes excellence in the legal community and is identified as a leader in the community-at-large. , Up & Coming Lawyer, Missouri Lawyers Weekly, 2013
Office location for Christopher E. Roberts
231 South Bemiston Avenue
Suite 260
St. Louis, MO 63105
Selections
5 Years Rising Stars
- Rising Stars: 2018 - 2022