X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

DECISION AND ORDER   Plaintiff Samantha Gerrard, on her behalf and on behalf of a putative class,1 alleges that Defendant, Acara Solutions Inc., sent numerous unsolicited text messages to her cellular telephone in violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”). Acara moved to dismiss the Complaint on several grounds, including that the alleged messages were neither “advertisements” nor “telemarketing” within the meaning of the TCPA and its implementing regulations. The Magistrate Judge recommended denying Acara’s motion to dismiss.2 Dkt. 20. This Court is not persuaded. The text messages at issue alert Gerrard to an employment opportunity. They do not constitute advertisements or telemarketing within the meaning of the TCPA’s implementing regulations. Gerrard, therefore, fails to state a claim under the TCPA. Her Complaint is dismissed with prejudice. BACKGROUND Gerrard alleges that, beginning in early 2018, Acara, doing business as Superior Group,3 sent “over 240 unsolicited, unwanted autodialed text messages” to her cellular phone. Dkt. 1 at

4, 16. Gerrard alleges that she received 210 autodialed messages on a single day — the majority of which “contained exactly the same text” regarding a job opening. Id. at 18. Specifically, the text messages stated: “Hi, Superior Group has [a] job opening for Material Handler/Production Operator at Buffalo Grove, [Illinois]. Contract position.” Id. Gerrard alleges that she “does not have a relationship with Superior Group and has never consented to any contact from [Acara].” See Dkt. 1 at 21. Gerrard also states that she twice asked the sender to stop. See id. at 4; see also id. at 19 (responding to the text messages and asking the sender to “stop spamming [her] phone”). Nonetheless, she continued to receive similar text messages about this job opening. See id. at 20 (receiving similar text messages about the contract position). Some of the alleged text messages directed her to “call/text Amy” at a certain phone number if she was “interested” in the position. Id. Gerrard further alleges that the text messages were sent using an automatic telephone dialing system (“ATDS”). See, e.g., id. at

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
September 05, 2024
New York, NY

The New York Law Journal honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in New York.


Learn More
July 11, 2024
New York, NY

The National Law Journal Elite Trial Lawyers recognizes U.S.-based law firms performing exemplary work on behalf of plaintiffs.


Learn More
July 22, 2024 - July 24, 2024
Lake Tahoe, CA

GlobeSt. Women of Influence Conference celebrates the women who drive the commercial real estate industry forward.


Learn More

Cullen and Dykman is seeking an associate attorney with a minimum of 5+ years in insurance coverage experience as well as risk transfer and ...


Apply Now ›

McCarter & English, LLP is actively seeking a midlevel insurance coverage associate for its Newark, NJ and/or Philadelphia, PA offices. ...


Apply Now ›

McCarter & English, LLP, a well established and growing law firm, is actively seeking a talented and driven associate having 2-5 years o...


Apply Now ›
06/27/2024
The American Lawyer

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
06/21/2024
Daily Business Review

Full Page Announcement


View Announcement ›
06/14/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›