Libraries
Identity elements
Reference code
Level of description
Title
Date(s)
- 1970-2011 (Creation)
Extent
16.50 Linear Feet, 11.00 Boxes
Name of creator
Biographical history
Walter T. Dartland was born January 17, 1935. He is widely known for his expertise on consumer protection, investment and insurance fraud, and public interest issues. He earned a national reputation for diligence and effectiveness in exposing frauds and deceptive practices perpetrated against citizens and businesses alike. He gained national recognition as a consumer advocate from 1975 until 1986 while he was serving as the Miami-Dade County Consumer Advocate. Through his association with consumer groups, senior citizen organizations, and Florida business leaders, he exposed schemes directed at Florida’s elderly and low-income populations. In 1987, he was named Deputy Attorney General under Attorney General Bob Butterworth. For two years Dartland oversaw litigation in environmental protection, land use, consumer protection, antitrust enforcement, and execution of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). At the request of the Attorney General, Dartland rejoined the office to serve as Special Counsel on critical issues from 1996 to 2000. While serving as Special Counsel, he earned the admiration of industry leaders for his unique ability to work with businesses to effectuate solutions to complex business transactions. Dartland has been involved with numerous professional, civic and charitable boards. Notable positions include past vice-president of the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators, past Chairman of the Florida Bar Consumer Protection Committee, past president of the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of South Florida, past president of the Florida Association of Accountants in the Public Interest, board member of the Consumer Federation of America, founding member and co-chair of the National Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, member of the National Board of Common Cause, and chair of Florida Common Cause. Dartland’s education began at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institutes, where he earned a B.S. Degree in Engineering. He went on to earn a law degree from the University of Michigan. At some point in his career, he returned to Michigan when elected District Attorney.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
This collection is comprised of files from Mr. Dartland's career in various capacities as a consumer advocate. The bulk of the materials cover the mid-1970s to mid-1990s. The vast majority pertain to Florida though there are examples of consumer advocacy from other states. Folder titles indicate the subjects included in the collection. Folders contain a wide variety of publications: business correspondence, brochures, pamphlets, speeches, flyers, newspaper clippings, reprints of trade articles, magazine clippings, ordinances, news releases, trade publications, agendas, reports, surveys, public hearing notices, legal documents, legislative documents, advertisements, business cards, conference proceedings, conference programs, printed email messages, registration forms and several other forms of ephemera and publications. Most items pertain to activities and issues that Mr. Dartland was directly involved in though some items seem to be just areas of interest. In addition to the publications, there are 34 VHS tapes, 3 DVDs, 1 flash drive, and 134 cassette tapes.
System of arrangement
The collection consists of five series: Series 1) subject files; Series 2) insurance; Series 3) Dade County Consumer Advocate, 1975-1986; Series 4) printed materials, Florida; Series 5) audiovisual materials. Series 1 and 2 are in alphabetical order by topic. Series 3 and 4 are in original order. Series 5 is arranged by audiovisual format.
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
No access restrictions: All materials are open for research.
Physical access
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
The researcher assumes full reponsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Languages of the material
- English
Scripts of the material
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
It received accession number P2012.03.
Immediate source of acquisition
Acqusition Source: Walter T. Dartland
Acqusition Method: Mr. Dartland drove from his home in Florida to deliver 11 boxes of materials to the Morse Department of Special Collections.
Acqusition Date: 20120426
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
No additional accruals are expected.
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
Related descriptions
Specialized notes
- Citation: Preferred Citation: [Item title], [item date], Walter T. Dartland papers, Box [number], Folder [number or title], Morse Department of Special Collections, Kansas State University Libraries.
Alternative identifier(s)
Archon Collection ID
Description control element
Rules or conventions
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Sources used
Archivist's note
Processing Info: Files were refoldered during processing and labeled with Mr. Dartland's original file title.
The collection was processed by curator Jane Schillie under the supervision of Anthony Crawford, curator of manuscripts.
Publication Date: 2013-04-24