Robin Bleiweis | Former Public Interest Fellow

During her Fellowship, Robin Bleiweis developed her litigation skills through substantive legal work on a variety of consumer protection and qui tam matters. For example, Robin was involved in each stage of the litigation process: initial investigation, complaint drafting, opposing motions to dismiss, engaging in document review and deposition prep, defending plaintiff depositions, writing pretrial and settlement-related briefs, and attending mediations. Robin contributed to the litigation and eventual settlement of a class action on behalf of mortgage borrowers in North Carolina against their mortgage servicer for charging unlawful and unfair junk fees when borrowers used electronic payment methods to make their mortgage payments. Robin also led the research and drafting of a motion for a protective order, successfully preventing a different mortgage servicer from soliciting borrower signatures on documents purporting to authorize the collection of otherwise unlawful fees long after loan origination. Finally, Robin managed client communications, drafted briefs, and prepared a partner for hearings in mass arbitrations against a multi-level marketing company for its misclassification of its employees as independent contractors in violation of California laws.

As part of her Fellowship, Robin spent three months working at the Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs (WLC). There, she supported a variety of cases and investigations concerning civil rights, disability, and employment issues. For example, she met with and drafted declarations on behalf of church leaders in a lawsuit against the Trump Administration, challenging its recission of the Department of Homeland Security’s sensitive locations policy that gives free rein to DHS agents to conduct immigration arrests and surveillance at and around houses of worship. Robin also researched and drafted discovery-related briefs in a lawsuit against Meta for its alleged modern-day digital redlining by providing separate and unequal services to Black users on its social media platforms Facebook and Instagram. She also assisted workers at WLC’s Workers’ Rights Clinic with legal advice about employment discrimination and wage and hour issues.

Robin is thankful for the meaningful litigation experience and mentorship she received at TZ. She recommends the Fellowship to anyone interested in plaintiff’s side litigation.