Fickel and Surdis Provide Guidance on Navigating Federal and California Junk Fee Rules

10.21.2025

Stinson LLP Partner Ashley Fickel and attorney Zoey Surdis authored two articles exploring evolving rules around "junk fees" and pricing transparency, offering insights for businesses navigating both federal and state regulations. Their analysis addresses the practical challenges of compliance and the heightened risk of litigation under California’s sweeping laws.

In their Bloomberg Law and Los Angeles Daily Journal articles, Fickel and Surdis examine the interplay between the Federal Trade Commission’s Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees and California’s Honest Pricing Law. The pieces explore how federal and state rules differ in scope, enforcement and compliance obligations, and provide actionable guidance for businesses on updating pricing practices, marketing strategies and technology systems.

As they note in Bloomberg Law, "The takeaway is clear: For California businesses, noncompliance in today’s economy can be costly."

Together, the articles underscore the real-world implications for businesses of all sizes, highlighting challenges in updating contracts, websites, point-of-sale systems, and staff training while maintaining compliance and competitiveness. Fickel and Surdis emphasize that even well-meaning companies may face litigation if fees are misrepresented or not clearly disclosed.

In the Los Angeles Daily Journal, they write, "Even well-intentioned companies may find themselves defending against claims that their disclosures were not ‘conspicuous’ enough for that a fee labeled optional was in fact mandatory, making the risk profile much higher for California businesses."

Fickel focuses his practice on business litigation, real estate litigation, construction litigation, consumer class action defense, and data and private cybersecurity.

Surdis’ practice encompasses a wide range of practice areas, including liability, construction defect, breach of contract and class actions.

Sign in to Bloomberg Law and Los Angeles Daily Journal to read more.