Seyfarth Synopsis: Of the five major class action developments in 2018, the decline in class action settlement numbers may have been most the striking shift. In fact, when compared to the 2017 numbers, the value of the top class action settlements in 2018 decreased by over $1 billion. In today’s blog, our readers can see
A Unique Approach to Class-wide Settlement?
By: Gerald L. Maatman, Jr., Julie G. Yap, and Phillip J. Ebsworth
Seyfarth Synopsis: On January 18, 2019, in Porath v. Logitech, Case No. 18-CV-3091 (N.D. Cal. Jan. 18, 2019), Judge William Alsup of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California rejected, for the second time, Defendant’s attempts to
5 Key Trends In Workplace Class Action Litigation For 2018: Trend #4 Billion-Dollar Downturn Video
By: Seyfarth Synopsis: Yesterday’s blog posting gave our readers an in-depth look at class action settlement developments in 2018, the fourth trend of this year’s Workplace Class Action Report (“WCAR”). In terms of the top ten largest settlement among substantive areas of class action litigation, the monetary value of major
Illinois Appellate Court Rules That Class Settlement Objectors Engaged In Fraud On the Court
By Gerald L. Maatman, Jr. and Michael L. DeMarino
Seyfarth Synopsis: Professional class settlement objectors can be a thorn-in-the-side for employers and class counsel attempting to settle class actions. Their M.O. is often the same — frivolously object, appeal its denial, settle out of court, and withdraw. It is already hard enough
Seventh Circuit Allows Objector To Recover Fees From Class Counsel’s Fee Award
By Gerald L. Maatman, Jr. and Michael L. DeMarino
Seyfarth Synopsis: In an opinion laced with frustration over a third appeal in a class action involving attorneys’ fees, the Seventh Circuit ruled that an objector was entitled to recover attorneys’ fees from class counsel’s fee award. “Unless the parties expressly agree otherwise,” the Seventh
Seventh Circuit Allows Review Of Potential Payments Made To Class Members Objecting To Class Settlement
By Christopher M. Cascino and Gerald L. Maatman, Jr.
Seyfarth Synopsis: In Pearson v. Target Corp., No. 17-2275, 2018 U.S. App. LEXIS 17337 (7th Cir. June 26, 2018), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit took aim at self-serving class settlement objectors and ordered the district court to review whether certain
Class Action Cash-In: 7th Circuit Allows Attorneys’ Fees To Exceed Plaintiffs’ Payout
By Gerald L. Maatman, Jr. and Alex W. Karasik
Seyfarth Synopsis: In a class action asserting claims for breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and statutory fraud in regards to the sale of general-use, pre-paid gift cards, the Seventh Circuit affirmed the final approval of a settlement agreement whereby the attorneys’ fees and costs totaled $1.95
Seventh Circuit Provides Guidance On Fairness Of Class Action Settlement Agreements And Fee Awards
By Christopher M. Cascino and Gerald L. Maatman, Jr.
In In Re Southwest Airlines Voucher Litigation, Case No. 13-3264 (7th Cir. Aug. 20, 2015), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit upheld a fee award to class counsel in a class action that resulted in a “coupon settlement” – a settlement in
Unclear TCPA Regulations Lead To Windfall For Class Action Plaintiffs’ Counsel
By Christopher M. Cascino and Jennifer A. Riley
In In Re Capital One Telephone Consumer Protection Act Litigation, Case No. 12-CV-10064, 2015 WL 605203 (N.D. Ill. Feb. 12, 2015), Judge James Holderman of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois recently approved an unprecedented $75,455,099 settlement for 1,378,534 class members in
Iowa Appellate Court Provides Leverage To Employers In Class Action Settlement Negotiations
By Christopher M. Cascino and Jennifer Riley
On January 14, 2015, in Kragnes v. Schroeder, No. 13-2065 (Iowa App. Ct. Jan. 14, 2015), the Iowa Appellate Court upheld the district court’s decision to cut the fees of plaintiffs’ counsel in a successful class action from a requested $15 million to $7 million. Though not