Following Newsweek coverage of the timeshare exit industry, Newton says consumers should know before they pay whether a lawyer actually represents them
MESA, Ariz., Sept. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Timeshare exit companies that market attorneys, legal services or legal representation should be required to clearly disclose who the attorney represents and whether the consumer will actually have an attorney-client relationship, according to Newton Group founder and CEO Gordon Newton.
Newton's call follows his recent appearance in a Newsweek article examining the challenges consumers can face when attempting to leave a timeshare.
The article, "Timeshare Exits Are Messy, But Rewarding,"Â is available from Newsweek at:
Newton Group has also published a companion version with additional context and resources for timeshare owners:
"The disclosure should be simple enough for a consumer to understand before paying a company thousands of dollars," Newton said. "Who does the lawyer represent? Do I personally have an attorney-client relationship? And is personal legal representation something I have from the beginning, or something I might receive later if the company decides it is necessary?"
Newton said those questions matter because terms such as "attorney-backed," "attorney-led," "legal oversight" and similar language do not necessarily tell a consumer whether an attorney personally represents the timeshare owner.
"Attorney involvement is not the same as attorney representation," Newton said. "If a company uses lawyers or legal representation as a reason for consumers to choose its service, the nature of that relationship should be disclosed with equal clarity."
Newton calls for disclosure before consumers pay
Newton believes timeshare exit companies marketing attorney involvement should clearly disclose, before a consumer signs an agreement or pays a fee:
- Who the attorney represents — the consumer, the exit company or another party.
- Whether every consumer receives personal legal representation.
- When the attorney-client relationship begins.
- Whether representation begins automatically or only if and when the exit company determines attorney involvement is necessary.
- Which agreement establishes the attorney-client relationship and the duties owed to the consumer.
"A consumer should not have to piece together a sales presentation, website disclaimers and multiple agreements to figure out whether they actually have a lawyer," Newton said. "If legal representation is important enough to help sell the service, the answer to 'Who does the attorney represent?' should be clear before the consumer pays."
Newton addressed the issue in greater depth in a commentary published by The National Law Review titled "Attorney Involvement Is Not Attorney Representation: Why Timeshare Exit Regulation Must Move Upstream."
In the article, Newton argues that it should be clearly disclosed to consumers before they pay whether an attorney will personally represent them, who the attorney represents and when that attorney-client relationship begins.
"Consumers should not have to guess if, when or ever they will actually have a lawyer representing them," Newton said. "If attorney involvement or legal representation is part of the reason a consumer is being asked to choose an exit company, that relationship should be made clear before the consumer pays."
The National Law Review commentary is available at:
"Experience creates options. Legal representation creates accountability," Newton said. "A salesperson can make a promise. A lawyer who represents you owes duties directly to you. Consumers deserve to know which one they are getting."
About Gordon Newton
Gordon Newton is the Founder and CEO of Newton Group, a timeshare exit company, author of The Consumer's Guide to Timeshare Exit, and founding non-attorney partner and majority owner of a national timeshare consumer-rights law firm.
He has worked in timeshare exit and consumer education for more than two decades. Newton has been interviewed, featured or cited by USA Today, Bloomberg Television, CNBC, Fox Business, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek, The Miami Herald, PHOENIX Magazine, TravelMag, ValiantCEO Magazine, the Better Business Bureau's Beacon Magazine, The Dave Ramsey Show and The National Law Review.
Newton is not an attorney.
About Newton Group
Founded in 2003, Newton Group began focusing on timeshare exit in 2005 and has since helped more than 30,000 families. The company is BBB Accredited with an A+ rating.
Newton Group's model includes personal legal representation for every client. Each client separately establishes an attorney-client relationship with a national timeshare consumer-rights law firm. The attorney represents the timeshare owner — not Newton Group, the sales rep and certainly not the resort. Newton Group is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.
Media Contact:
Erik Ellingsen
Newton Group Media
(832) 585-7146
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SOURCE The Newton Group
