A divided US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that the Director of the US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau had the authority and standing to bring a civil enforcement claim against a California attorney and provider of home loan modification services. The decision addressed the issue of whether Director Cordray was authorized to act during the period following his recess appointment as director of the CFPB, but prior to the Senate’s confirmation of his appointment. In the majority opinion, the court stated that Director Cordray was empowered to bring actions in federal court to enforce certain consumer protection statutes and regulations notwithstanding any deficiency in Director Cordray’s appointment process, and further, that the subsequent ratification of Director Cordray’s appointment by the Senate cured any such deficiencies.

View the Ninth Circuit opinion.