Ex-CFPB Enforcers Launch Consumer Litigation Project

Three former senior enforcement attorneys from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) have launched a new consumer litigation initiative as senior fellows at the advocacy group Protect Borrowers. The project, spearheaded by Eric Halperin, Cara Petersen, and Tara Mikkilineni, is a strategic enforcement effort designed to address corporate practices that exploit consumers, workers, and small business owners.​

Purpose and Approach

This Consumer Litigation Project aims to fill the gap left by recent federal enforcement rollbacks, particularly after significant changes at the CFPB that curtailed many of its supervisory and enforcement activities. The project will use legal actions and policy strategies to challenge abusive, predatory, and illegal products or practices, especially those that harm economically vulnerable Americans. The leaders intend to partner with private law firms, state and local authorities, and advocacy organizations to extend the reach and impact of their litigation efforts.​

Leadership Team

• Eric Halperin: Former CFPB enforcement director, with more than 25 years in civil rights and consumer protection law.

• Cara Petersen: Cornerstone member of the original CFPB team, with private and government litigation experience, including at the Federal Trade Commission.

• Tara Mikkilineni: Experienced civil rights litigator and former public defender, known for working closely with grassroots movement organizations.​

Strategic Focus and Impact

The announcement highlights the need for “an all-hands-on-deck approach” to consumer protection, especially as federal oversight has diminished. The effort will build on successful enforcement actions and legal theories developed during the leaders’ CFPB tenures, which previously resulted in more than $9.5 billion in penalties, redress, and settlements for consumers. Protect Borrowers, the host organization, is already known for its litigation and advocacy work, having secured over $1 billion in debt relief for borrowers through previous cases.​

This new litigation project signals a significant shift toward private and state-driven consumer protection in response to recent reductions in federal consumer financial enforcement.​