By  Gerald L. Maatman, Jr., Esther Slater McDonald, and Michael L. DeMarino

Seyfarth Synopsis: Satisfying Rule 23(b)(3)’s predominance requirement is undoubtedly a challenge when it comes to a nationwide class. Among the many issues that arise is the extent to which varying state laws can impact whether questions of law or fact common to class members predominate
Continue Reading Ninth Circuit Rules That Varying State Laws Do Not Defeat Predominance Requirement In Class Action Settlement Context

By Gerald L. Maatman, Jr. and Michael L. DeMarino

Seyfarth Synopsis: To take an immediate appeal from a federal district court’s order granting or denying class certification, a party must first seek permission from the applicable court of appeals “within 14 days after the order is entered.” Fed. Rule Civ. Pro. 23(f). In Nutraceutical Corp. v. Lambert, No.
Continue Reading The U.S. Supreme Court Rules That The Deadline To Appeal A Class Certification Order Is Not Subject To Equitable Tolling

By Christopher M. Cascino and Gerald L. Maatman, Jr.

Seyfarth Synopsis: In Sali v. Corona Regional Medical Center, No. 15-5640, 2018 U.S. App. LEXIS 11497 (9th Cir. May 3, 2018), a three judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed a district court’s decision to deny class certification to a group of nurses. 
Continue Reading Ninth Circuit Holds That Evidence Supporting Class Certification Need Not Be Admissible

By Gerald L. Maatman, Jr., Pamela Q. Devata, & Robert T. Szyba

Seyfarth Synopsis: Following remand from the U.S. Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit found that the plaintiff suing Spokeo, Inc. under the Fair Credit Reporting Act alleged sufficient injury to establish standing to proceed in federal court and to proceed with his class action.

On August 15,
Continue Reading Spokeo: On Remand From The U.S. Supreme Court, The Ninth Circuit Finds Plaintiff Has Standing, Again

supreme-court-546279_960_720By Gerald L. Maatman, Jr., Michael L. DeMarino, and John S. Marrese

Seyfarth Synopsis:  In Microsoft Corp. v. Baker, No. 15-457 (U.S. June 12, 2017), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on a procedural issue that is of importance in any class action in terms of when and in what circumstances a plaintiff may appeal orders that terminate their
Continue Reading U.S. Supreme Court Rules That Plaintiffs’ Voluntary Dismissal Does Not Transform A Decision Denying Class Certification Into An Appealable Final Decision

100px-US-CourtOfAppeals-9thCircuit-Seal_svgBy Gerald L. Maatman, Jr., Christopher J. DeGroff and Alex W. Karasik

Seyfarth Synopsis: After the U.S. Supreme Court clarified in McLane Co. v. EEOC, No. 15-1248, 2017 U.S. LEXIS 2327 (U.S. 2017), that the scope of review for employers facing EEOC administrative subpoenas was the abuse-of-discretion standard, a relatively high bar of review, the Ninth Circuit applied that
Continue Reading Following U.S. Supreme Court Review, Ninth Circuit Remands EEOC Subpoena Case

supreme courtSeyfarth Synopsis: As profiled in our recent publication of the 13th Annual Workplace Class Action Litigation Report, the U.S. Supreme Court’s rulings have a profound impact on employers and the tools they may utilize to defend high-stakes litigation. Rulings by the Supreme Court in 2016 were no exception.

Is The Supreme Court Pro-Worker Or Pro-Employer?

Over the past decade,
Continue Reading The U.S. Supreme Court And Workplace Class Actions

supremecourtBy Gerald L. Maatman, Jr., Pamela Q. Devata, Robert T. Szyba, and Ephraim J. Pierre

Seyfarth Synopsis: In deciding Spokeo v. Robins, the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed that plaintiffs seeking to establish that they have standing to sue must show “an invasion of a legally protected interest” that is particularized and concrete — that is, the injury
Continue Reading Spokeo v. Robins: The U.S. Supreme Court Finds Concrete Injury Is Required Under Article III But Remands Back To The Ninth Circuit

thNB9IMGHGBy Julie G. Yap and Alison H. Hong 

In Arizona Ex Rel. Horne v. The Geo Group, No. 13-16081 (9th Cir. Mar. 14, 2016), the U.S. Court of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit vacated the district court’s summary judgment orders and reinstated a pattern or practice action brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Arizona Civil Rights
Continue Reading Conciliation Made Easy? The Ninth Circuit Reinstates EEOC Pattern Or Practice Action In Light Of Mach Mining

120px-US_DC_NorCal_svgBy Timothy F. Haley

A 2009 Department of Justice (“DOJ”) investigation of the employment and recruitment practices of a number of Silicon Valley technology companies resulted in DOJ lawsuits against seven companies, followed by consent decrees and numerous class actions brought by employees and former employees.  The plaintiffs claimed that their employers entered into agreements not to solicit one another’s


Continue Reading Wage Suppression Antitrust Class Allegations Against Oracle Dismissed As Untimely