Sheila Jackson Lee: “As a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1423, the Forced Arbitration Injustice…”

“As a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1423, the Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal Act or the FAIR Act. I support the FAIR Act because it restores the rights of workers and consumers by making forced arbitration between individuals and corporations illegal. This would allow individuals the choice as to how to pursue their rights against a corporation. It also means that corporations will know that when they violate the law, they can be held publicly accountable. I have been a champion of FAIR since 2006 when we were discussing the LaVar Arrington and arbitration process of the National Football League Players Association. Mr. Arrington was an All-Pro linebacker for the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants in the NFL. In 2004, the NFLPA agreed to represent LaVar Arrington in the matter and retained a major New York law firm. I am advised that the law firm did not meet with LaVar Arrington until shortly before his non-injury grievance arbitration was scheduled to be heard. LaVar Arrington was not impressed with the performance of his legal representatives, and after the hearing called NFLPA President Gene Upshaw to complain. LaVar Arrington asked Mr. Upshaw, who had hired a major New York firm, how they could be his lawyers if they had not even bothered to meet with him, the client, until shortly before the arbitration.…”