Our client brought a claim against Chevy Chase Bank for charging fees in connection with paying off her loan when she refinanced her home. Banks and loan servicers often tack on suspect fees to the amount that must be paid to cancel the old loan. In our suit, Chevy Chase was able to obtain an order from the trial court that dismissed the claim on the grounds that her claims were “preempted” by federal law. This means that states and their citizens cannot seek redress for wrongful conduct by national banks that are regulated by a federal law. In our case, we argued to the Washington Supreme Court that the alleged conduct was not covered solely by federal law and state consumer protection and other laws should be enforced. The Supreme Court agreed in a decision (PDF) dated June 24, 2010. It is a powerful affirmation of the rights of citizens to enforce claims under state law.