Stephen Gardner

Consumer Lawyer and Advocate

Stephen Gardner is is a long-time consumer advocate, having served as Consumer Litigation Coordinator at Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Inc.; head of the food law practice at the Stanley Law Group of Dallas, Texas; Director of Litigation for the Washington, DC based advocacy group, Center for Science in the Public Interest; Of Counsel to the National Consumer Law Center; Assistant Dean of Clinical Education at Southern Methodist University School of Law (1994-1995); Visiting Assistant Professor of Law at Southern Methodist University School of Law (1992-1995); Assistant Attorney General, in the Consumer Protection Division of the State of Texas (1984-1991); Assistant Attorney General in the Bureau of Consumer Frauds of the State of New York (1982-1984); Students Attorney at the University of Texas (1981-1982); and a staff attorney at the legal aid office in Austin, which is now part of most recent employer, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (1976-1981). He is a frequent author and speaker on consumer advocacy issues. Although no longer actively involved in litigation, Steve continues to serve pro bono in a variety of ways.

Education:

  • B.A., University of Texas at Austin, 1972
  • J.D., University of Texas, 1975

Law-Related Publications and Honors

  • THE PRACTICE OF CONSUMER LAW (National Consumer Law Center) (co-author)
  • UNFAIR AND DECEPTIVE ACTS AND PRACTICES (National Consumer Law Center, 5th ed.) (contributing author)
  • CONSUMER CLASS ACTIONS (National Consumer Law Center, 5th ed.) (contributing author)
  • H. NEWBERG & A. CONTE, NEWBERG ON CLASS ACTIONS (6th ed.) (contributing editor)
  • Lost in the Supermarket:  Consumer Confusion and Marketing Mania, in Nutrition Labeling Handbook 373 (Shapiro ed., 1995)
  • See Dick and Jane Sue: A Primer on State Consumer Protection Laws, PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION AND MARKETING (American Law Institute, 1991; revised 1992)
  • How Green Were My Values: Regulation of Environmental Marketing Claims, UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO LAW REVIEW, Vol. 23, No. 1 (1991)
  • Center for Science in the Public Interest, “Nutrition Action Hall of Fame” 1991
  • Adweek Magazine’s “Top Ten Enemies of Advertising” 1991
  • National Association of Attorneys General “Marvin Award” 1988