Art Neill

Practices public interest and consumer law in the areas of telecommunications, energy, and intellectual property. Art is also the architect and creator of the new UCAN.org as well as the founder of UCAN's New Media Rights project at NewMediaRights.org.
Currently counsel in UCAN's federal class action against Sprint Nextel for illegally billing taxes, fees, and text message charges on data broadband services plans, AT&T Mobility Ethiopian Roaming Overcharges and Cramming complaint, CPUC complaint regarding MCI and involved in SDG&E rate increases case, among other cases and disputes. As law clerk in 2005, assisted in original drafting of UCAN's Ringtone and Text Message complaints against Cingular and Sprint, reported in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, among other media.
- Member of the California Bar (admitted 2006)
- Member of the San Diego County Bar Association
Recent interviews:
- New York Times interview about children with cell phones and controlling unauthorized charges on your bill.
- ABC News interview regarding top cell phone company gripes.
- Discussion of 2009 Credit Card Reform Legislation with John Mattes on San Diego Channel 6.
- How to trim your phone, cable, satellite, and Internet bills in a down economy with San Diego Channel 6
- Discussion with San Francisco Chronicle on New York Federal Court's decision to compel Google to give Viacom YouTube users' viewer history
- Discussion of the FCC's recent review of ETF, and possible federal preemption of current lawsuits with NBC.
- Regarding subscription media and data services with the Seattle Public Intelligencer
- Recent cell phone lawsuits and the legal climate in the communications industry with Businessweek
- Verizon's takeover of SureWest and the consequences for consumers with the Sacramento Bee
- Regarding UCAN's federal class action against Sprint with Fiercewireless.com and NBC San Diego.
- Video on tips and pitfalls of buying a cell phone with NBC San Diego
- A discussion of arbitration and alternative dispute resolution for consumers with Professor Linda Fritz on the UCAN.org podcast
- News interview on Iphone hacks, open networks, and cancelling your cell phone contract
- A conversation with Bob McCormick of Money 101 about how to terminate your cell phone contract
- Tips on negotiating with cell phone companies, an interview with Real Simple Magazine (also published on CNN.com)
- A discussion of a class action lawsuit against webloyalty.com for scamming online consumers on KGTV.
Academic Background
Graduate of The College of William & Mary (B.A. Government, minor eqv. Economics) and the University of San Diego School of Law (focus on public interest and intellectual property law)
Contributing author to the California Regulatory Law Reporter regarding the California Public Utilities Commission and the California Dental Board.
Awarded the University of San Diego School of Law Pro Bono Service Recognition Award
Awarded highest honors in Trademarks and Law, Science, and Technology courses.
Professional Background
Attorney for Utility Consumers' Action Network and founder and director of New Media Rights. August 2006 to present.
Law Clerk for Lorraine Donaldson. 2004-2005. Assisted with practice specialized in Intellectual Property, particularly patent drafting.
Law Clerk for San Diego City Attorney's Office - Civil Division. Summer and Fall, 2004. Work included American with Disabilities act, California Environmental Quality Act, among many other cases.
LSAT Instructor for Kaplan, 2004.
Public Information Officer/Press Secretary for the Office of the Secretary of State of Maryland. 2002-2003. Involved in Maryland redistricting based on 2000 Census, analysis of electronic voting machines, and reform of Maryland's felony disenfranchisement laws, among other duties.
Special Assistant to the Secretary of State of Maryland 2001-2002.
Director of Member Services for Mid-Atlantic LifeSpan, the largest non-profit trade association of senior care providers in Maryland and the District of Columbia.
Other information / interests
- Art is a native of Annapolis, MD
- Basque language & culture
Like what you see? Go ahead and show your support! UCAN is a truly independent non-profit watchdog organization, dependent on grassroots donations like yours!
Utility Consumers' Action Network
(619) 696-6966 or file a complaint about a company online.
Terms & Conditions
UCAN.org is made available by the Utility Consumers' Action Network to assist you in becoming what you always knew you could be, a consumer ROCK STAR! We take no corporate money, and are beholden only to you, the consumer. As such, the site is here for educational, advocacy, and empowerment purposes, as well to to give you general information and a general understanding of the law. Just remember this site is NOT here to provide specific legal advice. By using this web site you of course understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and the Web Site publisher, UCAN. The Web Site should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
That said, get to digging on the site, inform yourself, speak your mind, and earn Watchdog Bones! This is YOUR site, and we mean it. So comment on any of the content, discuss the latest issues in the forums, file a complaint on a company with the fraud squad, and generally cut loose.
See our Privacy Policy and Copyright Policy, Some Rights Reserved
- Remember, if you have any questions about copyright law or need legal information regarding intellectual property, the internet, or new technologies, visit our affiliate New Media Rights at www.newmediarights.org. If you are in the San Diego region, you can also can apply to use our multimedia studio and equipment for free.
Delicious
Digg
StumbleUpon
Propeller
Reddit
Magnoliacom
Newsvine
Furl
Facebook
Google
Yahoo
Icerocket






