“The Expansion of New Jersey’s Consumer Fraud Act: Causes and Consequences,“ was written for the American Tort Reform Foundation by Professor Joanna Shepherd of the Emory University School of Law.  Professor Shepherd demonstrates that reported consumer fraud claims in New Jersey increased 450 percent from 2000 through 2009, roughly three times the national average during the same time period.  Indulgent amendments by lawmakers and lenient interpretations by the courts have encouraged enterprising litigants and lawyers to bring claims, resulting in a dramatic increase in consumer protection litigation.  This increase inflicts costs on New Jersey consumers through higher product costs, lower employment, an overburdened justice system, and socially-harmful litigation.

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