Pamela Gilbert
Encyclopedia
Pamela Beth Gilbert is an American lawyer and has been partner of the law firm Cuneo Gilbert & LaDuca, LLP
since 2003, where she heads the firm's lobbying practice. Gilbert is a noted consumer rights advocate who has testified before Congress
over fifty times and made dozens of appearances in the national print and electronic media.
with a B.A. in Mathematics in 1980 and received her law degree from New York University in 1984.
After law school, Gilbert served as Consumer Program Director at the U.S. Public Interest Research Group from 1984-1989 where she specialized in consumer protection issues.
, a Washington-based consumer advocacy organization.
, opposing efforts in Congress to make it more difficult for people accusing their doctors and hospitals of medical malpractice to sue.
held press conferences in Washington, D.C.
and elsewhere, meeting with administration officials such as then-SEC Chairman Christopher Cox.
On November 15 of that same year, Gilbert testified before the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law of the House Committee on the Judiciary on “Protecting the Playroom: Holding Foreign Manufacturers Accountable for Defective Products.”
In 2008, Gilbert worked with the Center for Justice and Democracy to bring before Congress families with children who developed lead poisoning from hazardous toys, to urge the passage of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement act of 2008. This landmark legislation placed limits on the amount of lead that can be used in children's products.
Also that year, Gilbert testified before the Federal Communications Commission
on behalf of consumers who were assessed fees for switching cell phone companies before their contracts expired. Her position was that such fees were unfair. She urged the FCC not to preempt state laws and state-based lawsuits intended to protect consumers from these allegedly unfair practices by cell phone companies.
In 2009, after the election of President Barack Obama
, Gilbert headed the Presidential Transition Team for the Consumer Product Safety Commission
.
Over the course of three years from 2007–2009, Gilbert organized a coalition of over a dozen labor and nonprofit organizations to support legislation that would provide a pathway for the approval of generic versions of costly medicines. A version of this legislation was later incorporated in national health care reform policies.
In 2009, Gilbert worked with people injured by defects in Chrysler
and General Motors
vehicles to urge the Obama administration and the automobile companies to modify their bankruptcy agreements to ensure that personal injury victims would have an opportunity to receive compensation. As a result, the agreements were modified to allow people injured in the future by vehicles manufactured before the bankruptcy to be compensated for their injuries.
sponsored by OMB Watch
on "The Obama Administration and Public Protections."
On behalf of the Committee to Support the Antitrust Laws, Gilbert worked with Congress and the Obama Administration to amend the Antitrust Criminal Penalty Enhancement and Reform Act to ensure that members of criminal antitrust conspiracies adequately cooperate with civil lawsuits in return for reduced damages.
On June 10, 2010, Pamela Gilbert was appointed to the Board of Directors of the AAI (American Antitrust Institute).
Gilbert also represented the Pool Safety Council before Congress and the Consumer Product Safety Commission
to ensure that the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool And Spa Safety Act
of 2008 was implemented and enforced to prevent deaths and serious injuries resulting from people being trapped on unsafe drains in pools and spas.
and the New Democracy Project.
In 2010, Gilbert authored a chapter in Materials on Tort Reform by Professor Andrew Popper of the Washington College of Law at American University.
. Later, in 2008, Gilbert was mentioned as a possible appointee by President Barack Obama
to be Chairman of the Commission. However, her nomination was criticized on the grounds that while she was executive director of the CPSC, the agency was known for its "strident enforcement efforts" contrary to large business interests.
, Professor of Journalism at American University
and founder of the Center for Public Integrity
. With Lewis she raises two children, Cassandra and Gabriel.
Cuneo Gilbert & LaDuca, LLP
Cuneo Gilbert & LaDuca, LLP is a law firm with offices in Washington, D.C., New York City, Los Angeles, and Alexandria. Jonathan Cuneo is the lead partner of the firm along with co-partners Pamela Gilbert and Charles LaDuca...
since 2003, where she heads the firm's lobbying practice. Gilbert is a noted consumer rights advocate who has testified before Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
over fifty times and made dozens of appearances in the national print and electronic media.
Early career and education
Gilbert graduated magna cum laude from Tufts UniversityTufts University
Tufts University is a private research university located in Medford/Somerville, near Boston, Massachusetts. It is organized into ten schools, including two undergraduate programs and eight graduate divisions, on four campuses in Massachusetts and on the eastern border of France...
with a B.A. in Mathematics in 1980 and received her law degree from New York University in 1984.
After law school, Gilbert served as Consumer Program Director at the U.S. Public Interest Research Group from 1984-1989 where she specialized in consumer protection issues.
1989-1994
From 1989-1994, Gilbert was Legislative Director and later Executive Director of Public Citizen's Congress WatchCongress Watch
Congress Watch is a division of Public Citizen that champions consumer interests before the U.S. Congress and serves as a government watchdog. They engage in public education and advocacy, and are focused on the following:...
, a Washington-based consumer advocacy organization.
1995-2003
Gilbert served as Executive Director of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) from 1995-2001. In 2001 she left the government to serve as Chief Operating Officer of M&R Strategic Services, a national firm set up to lobby and conduct grassroots and media campaigns around public policy issues.2003-2006
Gilbert represented the National Association of Shareholder and Consumer Attorneys to oppose efforts in Congress to change the rules for bringing class action lawsuits. Gilbert subsequently represented the Center for Justice & DemocracyCenter for Justice & Democracy
Center for Justice & Democracy is a non-profit, non-partisan consumer rights organization exclusively dedicated to educating the public about the importance of the U.S...
, opposing efforts in Congress to make it more difficult for people accusing their doctors and hospitals of medical malpractice to sue.
2007-2009
In 2007, Gilbert worked with public interest organizations and victims of Enron's collapse to persuade the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bush Administration to adopt a position in a case pending before the U.S. Supreme Court – Stoneridge Investment Partners LLC v. Scientific-Atlanta Inc. and Motorola Inc. – that would ensure that people slighted by Enron could sue the investment banks that participated in the frauds that led to Enron’s failure. Gilbert's firmCuneo Gilbert & LaDuca, LLP
Cuneo Gilbert & LaDuca, LLP is a law firm with offices in Washington, D.C., New York City, Los Angeles, and Alexandria. Jonathan Cuneo is the lead partner of the firm along with co-partners Pamela Gilbert and Charles LaDuca...
held press conferences in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
and elsewhere, meeting with administration officials such as then-SEC Chairman Christopher Cox.
On November 15 of that same year, Gilbert testified before the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law of the House Committee on the Judiciary on “Protecting the Playroom: Holding Foreign Manufacturers Accountable for Defective Products.”
In 2008, Gilbert worked with the Center for Justice and Democracy to bring before Congress families with children who developed lead poisoning from hazardous toys, to urge the passage of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement act of 2008. This landmark legislation placed limits on the amount of lead that can be used in children's products.
Also that year, Gilbert testified before the Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
on behalf of consumers who were assessed fees for switching cell phone companies before their contracts expired. Her position was that such fees were unfair. She urged the FCC not to preempt state laws and state-based lawsuits intended to protect consumers from these allegedly unfair practices by cell phone companies.
In 2009, after the election of President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
, Gilbert headed the Presidential Transition Team for the Consumer Product Safety Commission
Consumer Product Safety Commission
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission is an independent agency of the United States government created in 1972 through the Consumer Product Safety Act to protect "against unreasonable risks of injuries associated with consumer products." The CPSC is an independent agency that does...
.
Over the course of three years from 2007–2009, Gilbert organized a coalition of over a dozen labor and nonprofit organizations to support legislation that would provide a pathway for the approval of generic versions of costly medicines. A version of this legislation was later incorporated in national health care reform policies.
In 2009, Gilbert worked with people injured by defects in Chrysler
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
and General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
vehicles to urge the Obama administration and the automobile companies to modify their bankruptcy agreements to ensure that personal injury victims would have an opportunity to receive compensation. As a result, the agreements were modified to allow people injured in the future by vehicles manufactured before the bankruptcy to be compensated for their injuries.
2010
On February 4, 2010, Gilbert participated in a webcastWebcast
A webcast is a media presentation distributed over the Internet using streaming media technology to distribute a single content source to many simultaneous listeners/viewers. A webcast may either be distributed live or on demand...
sponsored by OMB Watch
OMB Watch
OMB Watch is a 501 nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. OMB Watch was formed by Gary Bass in 1983 to lift the veil of secrecy shrouding the White House Office of Management and Budget...
on "The Obama Administration and Public Protections."
On behalf of the Committee to Support the Antitrust Laws, Gilbert worked with Congress and the Obama Administration to amend the Antitrust Criminal Penalty Enhancement and Reform Act to ensure that members of criminal antitrust conspiracies adequately cooperate with civil lawsuits in return for reduced damages.
On June 10, 2010, Pamela Gilbert was appointed to the Board of Directors of the AAI (American Antitrust Institute).
Gilbert also represented the Pool Safety Council before Congress and the Consumer Product Safety Commission
Consumer Product Safety Commission
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission is an independent agency of the United States government created in 1972 through the Consumer Product Safety Act to protect "against unreasonable risks of injuries associated with consumer products." The CPSC is an independent agency that does...
to ensure that the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool And Spa Safety Act
Virginia Graeme Baker Pool And Spa Safety Act
The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool And Spa Safety Act is a United States law named after the daughter of Nancy and James Baker and the granddaughter of former Secretary of State James Baker III. Graeme Baker died in a tragic incident in June 2002 when the suction from a spa drain entrapped her under...
of 2008 was implemented and enforced to prevent deaths and serious injuries resulting from people being trapped on unsafe drains in pools and spas.
Notable writings
In 2008, Gilbert wrote a chapter entitled “Consumer Product Safety Commission: Safety First” for Change for America: A Progressive Blueprint for the 44th President, published by the Center for American ProgressCenter for American Progress
The Center for American Progress is a progressive public policy research and advocacy organization. Its website states that the organization is "dedicated to improving the lives of Americans through progressive ideas and action." It has its headquarters in Washington D.C.Its President and Chief...
and the New Democracy Project.
In 2010, Gilbert authored a chapter in Materials on Tort Reform by Professor Andrew Popper of the Washington College of Law at American University.
Controversy
In 2001, Gilbert stepped down as executive director of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) after President Bush sparked a constitutional controversy by seeking to replace the leadership of the Commission by his powers under Article Two of the United States ConstitutionArticle Two of the United States Constitution
Article Two of the United States Constitution creates the executive branch of the government, consisting of the President and other executive officers.-Clause 1: Executive power:...
. Later, in 2008, Gilbert was mentioned as a possible appointee by President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
to be Chairman of the Commission. However, her nomination was criticized on the grounds that while she was executive director of the CPSC, the agency was known for its "strident enforcement efforts" contrary to large business interests.
Personal life
Gilbert is married to Charles LewisCharles Lewis (journalist)
Charles Lewis is an investigative journalist based in Washington D.C. since 1977. Charles Lewis founded the Center for Public Integrity and three other nonprofit organizations and is currently the executive editor of the Investigative Reporting Workshop at the American University School of...
, Professor of Journalism at American University
American University
American University is a private, Methodist, liberal arts, and research university in Washington, D.C. The university was chartered by an Act of Congress on December 5, 1892 as "The American University", which was approved by President Benjamin Harrison on February 24, 1893...
and founder of the Center for Public Integrity
Center for Public Integrity
The Center for Public Integrity is a nonprofit organization dedicated to producing original, responsible investigative journalism on issues of public concern. The Center is non-partisan and non-advocacy and committed to transparent and comprehensive reporting both in the United States and around...
. With Lewis she raises two children, Cassandra and Gabriel.