Public Interest

The Chanler Group represents citizen enforcers who, acting in the public interest, enforce each citizen’s right to know when they are exposed to toxic chemicals found in consumer products sold in California.  They hold companies accountable for unwarned exposures through imposition of civil penalties and injunctive relief, often requiring the removal of the offensive chemicals.  With a major focus on Proposition 65 litigation, a “right to know” law that mandates consumers and other individuals be informed before being exposed to chemicals known to cause cancer and other reproductive harm, The Chanler Group enables private individuals or groups to enforce the law in the public interest when companies ignore the act's warning requirements. 

Proposition 65 actions may be brought by the California Attorney General, district attorneys, certain city attorneys, or by private individuals or groups acting in the public interest.  In Proposition 65 cases brought by private enforcers in the public interest, 75% of the civil penalties collected are paid to the State of California, while the remaining 25% are paid to the private enforcer who conducted a thorough investigation to bring the violations to light.  When public enforcers, such as the California Attorney General, bring a Proposition 65 action, 100% of the civil penalties are paid to the State.  Nonetheless, for the past two years, The Chanler Group’s clients have collected more civil penalty dollars for the State than the State and all other private enforcers combined, all for the greater good of the public interest and consumer protection.