Crystal focuses her practice on class action defense, with an emphasis on consumer fraud, data privacy, marketing and compliance issues claims. Crystal has extensive experience successfully defending against class action claims brought under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, California Unfair Competition Law, False Advertising Law, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Hobby Protection Act and Auto-Renewal Law in both state and federal courts.
She has defended corporate clients against class actions at all stages of litigation, including through class certification, preliminary, and final approval of settlements. She has a track record for early and efficient dispute resolution and saving costs associated with discovery through early informal negotiations, mediation and class action settlements. Crystal is also a member of the firm's Sports & Entertainment Practice.
Prior to joining Mintz, Crystal worked as an associate at a global firm, and clerked for the Honorable Frederick J. Martone in the US District Court for the District of Arizona. Before pursuing her legal education, Crystal was a junior consultant at the World Bank, a Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute fellow, and Editor in Chief at Human Rights Law Review and staff editor of A Jailhouse Lawyer’s Manual.
Education
- Columbia University (JD)
- Stanford University (BA, with honors)
Experience
- Negotiated a successful settlement on behalf of JB Line, a cosmetics retailer, in a class action alleging violations of New York false advertising laws in connection with a beauty product.
- Successfully settled a class action alleging violation of the TCPA against Popeye’s, a fast-food restaurant chain. At the outset we filed and won a motion to stay the case pending the Supreme Court’s decision in Spokeo. After the stay was lifted we informed plaintiff’s counsel of our intent to file a motion to dismiss for lack of standing and they made a settlement demand.
- Obtained an early dismissal before an answer or motion practice in various class actions, including:
- Coerver v. Webimax., Southern District of Texas
- Makaron v. World Wide Vacations, Central District of California
- Obtained multiple favorable settlements in class actions involving statutory violations for the TCPA and the recording of telephone calls
- Counseled corporate clients to ensure compliance with telemarketing laws
Recognition & Awards
- Included on the Southern California Super Lawyers: Rising Star list (2018)
Languages
- Spanish
Recent Insights
Viewpoints
TCPA & Consumer Calling Digest – October 2018
October 22, 2018|Article
TCPA Class Action Update: Circuit Split Further Entrenches TCPA Landscape
September 20, 2018|Article
TCPA & Consumer Calling Digest – September 2018
September 20, 2018|Article
News & Press
Litigators Joshua Briones and Crystal Lopez authored this “Expert Analysis” column discussing growing interest in California Invasion of Privacy Act class actions and what recent decisions mean for businesses.
This coverage highlights the decision by a San Francisco judge tossing out a proposed class action against Yelp Inc. for allegedly monitoring and recording conversations between the named plaintiff and Yelp sales representatives.
Viewpoints
TCPA & Consumer Calling Digest – October 2018
October 22, 2018| Article
Read about recent TCPA cases and FCC comment periods on automatic telephone dialing systems, call blocking technologies, and a proposed emergency use exemption to the TCPA.
TCPA Class Action Update: Circuit Split Further Entrenches TCPA Landscape
September 20, 2018| Article
In May 2018, the D.C. Circuit set aside the FCC’s “unreasonably expansive interpretation” of what equipment constitutes an automatic telephone dialing system (“ATDS”). See ACA International v. Federal Communications Commission, No. 15-1211 at 5 (D.C. Cir. 2018). The FCC’s 2015 promulgations broadly interpreted the TCPA’s statutory language, subjecting “ordinary calls from any conventional smartphone to the Act’s coverage.” Id. at 5. This unconfined interpretation caused TCPA lawsuits and settlement figures to skyrocket. After ACA Int’l, technology needs to actually generate telephone numbers to qualify as an ATDS. In this post-ACA landscape, at least eight district courts have held that the FCC’s expansive rulings on the TCPA have been vacated.
TCPA & Consumer Calling Digest – September 2018
September 20, 2018| Article
In this issue, we look at industry comments on the FCC’s report on robocalling and efforts to urge the agency to reconsider its reassigned numbers database proposal. In addition, we examine a recent circuit split on what constitutes an automatic telephone dialing system (ATDS) in the Third and Ninth Circuits and what that means for TCPA defendants. The split follows the D.C. Circuit’s May 2018 decision in ACA International v. Federal Communications Commission, which set aside the FCC’s “unreasonably expansive interpretation” of what constitutes an automatic telephone dialing system.
TCPA Litigation Update: Insurance Coverage May Be Available to Some Policyholders for TCPA Lawsuits
August 13, 2018| Article
In light of different state laws, varied policy language, and inconsistent interpretations by each court, it is often impossible to ascertain in advance whether TCPA claims will be covered by any given policy. Once the lawsuit has been filed, however, sophisticated legal counsel should be able to work with their coverage team to maximize coverage potential. Additionally, in light of a changing legal landscape and the growing number of TCPA lawsuits, businesses that engage in various forms of marketing should, where appropriate, obtain policies that specifically cover TCPA actions.
TCPA & Consumer Calling Digest - August 2018
August 13, 2018| Article
This issue provides insurance information for companies facing TCPA lawsuits and identifies the types of policies and provisions that may offer coverage. You will also find an update on the status of the proposed reassigned numbers database as well as information about a new FCC Public Notice, released August 10. Comments on the Public Notice are expected to lay the groundwork for the FCC’s next major action on call blocking and methods to eliminate illegal robocalls.
TCPA & Consumer Calling Digest - July 2018
July 18, 2018| Article
This issue includes an update on activity at the FCC, specifically the agency’s progress in evaluating comments received in several ongoing TCPA proceedings. In addition, in our Class Action Update, we look at the current understanding of what constitutes an ATDS and why, in the wake of ACA International, it may be more difficult for plaintiffs to demonstrate that the companies they are suing used ATDS devices.
TCPA Class Action & Litigation Update: West v. East — District Courts Split on Validity of pre-ACA Int’l FCC Orders re ATDS
June 11, 2018| Article
Our previous post discussed the decision in Marshall v. CBE Group, Inc., which completely rejected the FCC’s broad interpretation of an ATDS and found in favor of the defendant. Since then, another district court in the Ninth Circuit has followed suit, but three others in the Eleventh Circuit have concluded that the FCC’s 2003 Order survives ACA Int’l. It could behoove some TCPA defendants to seek stays while this circuit split is sorted out or until after the FCC clarifies its position on the ATDS issue following ACA Int’l.
TCPA & Consumer Calling Digest - June 2018
June 11, 2018| Article
In this issue, we look at recent TCPA-related activity at the FCC, including the agency’s reevaulation of some TCPA rulings as well as a notable fine levied against a robocaller for malicious spoofing. In addition, in our Class Action & Litigation Update, we look at recent district court rulings offering different interpretations of what constitutes an ATDS, and consider where this split between the circuits leaves TCPA defendants.
TCPA & Consumer Calling Digest - May 2018
May 14, 2018| Article
This month we consider the Ninth Circuit’s pending Crunch ruling and how the decision may affect parties defending TCPA cases. You’ll find the story in our Class Action & Litigation Update. Our Legislative Update offers a quick review of the recent US House and Senate hearings on illegal robocalls. For a roundup of TCPA-related developments at the FCC, please see our Regulatory Update.
The Indians may win the World Series, but what will become of their brand?
November 2, 2016| Blog
The Cleveland Indians are back in the World Series for the first time in nineteen years, and with it have come renewed protests over the team’s name and Chief Wahoo logo, a depiction some consider a highly offensive caricature.
News & Press
Defenses Remain For Companies In Calif. Call Recording Suits
June 21, 2018 | Law360
Litigators Joshua Briones and Crystal Lopez authored this “Expert Analysis” column discussing growing interest in California Invasion of Privacy Act class actions and what recent decisions mean for businesses.
Yelp Escapes Privacy Suit Over Recording Sales Calls
April 19, 2018 | Law360
This coverage highlights the decision by a San Francisco judge tossing out a proposed class action against Yelp Inc. for allegedly monitoring and recording conversations between the named plaintiff and Yelp sales representatives.
The Dos and Don’ts Of Minimizing Risk For TCPA Liability
July 14, 2017
Joshua Briones, Managing Member in Mintz’s Los Angeles office and Crystal Lopez, a Litigation Associate, authored a Law360 article on the importance for businesses to be vigilant about internal and third-party Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) compliance.
False Labeling Suits Get Hung Up On Faulty Damages Models
December 30, 2016
This piece, published by Bloomberg BNA Product Safety & Liability Reporter, highlights the faulty damages models of food companies and the companies’ defenses to consumer fraud class actions over product labeling.
Challenging No-Injury Class Actions In State Court
August 30, 2016
Joshua Briones, Managing Member in Mintz’s Los Angeles office and Crystal Lopez, a Litigation Associate, authored a Law360 column on the worry businesses nationwide are experiencing over facing “no-injury” class action lawsuits.
Mintz and Ansell Grimm & Aaron, P.C., have achieved a dismissal – among the first of its kind – on behalf of Work Out World, which faced a class action alleging violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and attempting certification of a nationwide class.
Joshua Briones, Managing Member in Mintz’s Los Angeles office, and Associates Esteban Morales and Crystal Lopez, authored this Inside Counsel article covering three U.S. Supreme Court decisions in separate Telephone Consumer Protection Act TCPA class action cases.
Mintz Litigation Associate Crystal Lopez authored this Daily Journal article on the U.S. Supreme Court’s highly anticipated decision in Tyson Foods, Inc. v. Bouaphakeo.
Websites’ automatic-renewal policies can lead to trouble
March 11, 2016 | Computerworld
Joshua Briones, Member and leader of the Los Angeles office, and Los Angeles-based Litigation Associate Crystal Lopez authored this Computerworld column with a warning to companies that implement the automatic subscription renewal business model.
Class Actions at the High Court
January 26, 2016
Crystal Lopez, a Mintz Associate, authored this Daily Journal article discussing recent class action lawsuits that reached the U.S. Supreme Court and the implications of these cases.
Events
Speaker
Apr
26
2018
Trailblazers - 21st Century Women Leaders
Shutters Hotel 1 Pico Bl.vd., Grand Salon Santa Monica, CA 90405
Moderator
Mar
22
2017