Why a defense lawyer went on the offensive in an Oregon robocall lawsuit

A defense lawyer urged an Oregon federal judge to keep alive a Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) robocall case after plaintiff Chet Wilson sought to withdraw it. Ryan Watstein, representing Freeway Insurance Services of America, told Chief U.S. District Judge Michael McShane that serial plaintiffs and their attorneys are exploiting a 1991 spam-call law for payments. Watstein argued Wilson bought a number ending 999-9999 to trigger spam texts and that law firms coordinate cases to demand large settlements, with lawyers taking up to 90% under contingency arrangements. Wilson’s team denies wrongdoing, saying they’re targeting illegal robocalls, but McShane expressed skepticism of Wilson’s intent.