FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

CONTACT: Lauren Williams – CUNA Communications; (202) 626-7642; lwilliams@cuna.coop 

Washington, DC (April 2, 2018) – Credit Union National Association partnered with the Cornerstone Credit Union League to continue its aggressive nationwide defense of credit unions facing frivolous lawsuits. The brief filed on Friday, March 30, supports Local 20 IBEW FCU of Grand Prairie, Texas, which has been sued by a plaintiff alleging website noncompliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  

Credit unions around the country are facing lawsuits due to confusion over how the ADA applies to websites, and CUNA has made finding a solution a top advocacy priority. CUNA and the Cornerstone league filed a brief in a similar case in Texas in February, and the case was dismissed eight days later.  

“This case is another instance where CUNA and the league feel our advocacy can help make a wider impact on similar cases around the country,” said CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle. “Credit unions continue to get hit with abusive suits exploiting a law designed to help disabled Americans, and we will continue to file briefs where we feel it is appropriate, in addition to our efforts on the regulatory and legislative fronts.” 

The primary arguments found in the joint Amicus brief from CUNA and the Cornerstone Credit Union League are:  

• The plaintiff lacks standing to file suit against the credit union; 
• A website is not a place of public accommodation;  
• Applying Title III of the ADA to websites renders the statute impermissibly vague in the absence of any implementing regulations by the Department of Justice   
• The court should dismiss the complaint pursuant to the Primary Jurisdiction Doctrine. 

CUNA has joined with leagues to file briefs in two Alabama cases, as well as in Illinois and Ohio, supporting credit unions in those states. CUNA continues to evaluate lawsuits and engage with the Department of Justice.  

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About CUNA:      

Credit Union National Association (CUNA) is the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America’s credit unions, which are owned by 110 million consumer members. CUNA, along with its network of affiliated state credit union leagues, delivers unwavering advocacy, continuous professional growth and operational confidence to protect the best interests of all credit unions. For more information about CUNA, visit cuna.org