A class action turns one plaintiff's claim into company-wide exposure, which is exactly why the defense strategy has to be set early. We defend consumer, employment, and securities class actions, focusing on the leverage points that actually move these cases: certification, early dispositive motions, and the structure of any settlement. The right pressure at the right stage is what keeps a single complaint from becoming a bet-the-company case.
Defeating Class Certification
Certification is usually the whole ballgame, because a denied class shrinks a massive case back to an individual dispute. We attack certification under Rule 23, showing that individual questions predominate over common ones, that the named plaintiff is not typical or adequate, and that a class cannot be managed fairly. We build that record from the start of the case rather than scrambling for it once the certification motion is filed.
Early Merits And Dispositive Motions
The cheapest case to win is the one that never reaches certification. We press motions to dismiss and early summary judgment to knock out legally deficient theories, narrow the claims, and expose the gaps in the plaintiffs' case before discovery costs spiral. Even when a motion does not end the case outright, trimming the claims reshapes the exposure and the leverage on every subsequent decision.
Class Settlement Structuring
Sometimes resolution is the smart move, but a poorly built class settlement buys you objectors and a second lawsuit instead of peace. When settlement makes sense, we structure deals designed to win court approval and deliver real finality, with release language and claims mechanics that actually close the door. We negotiate from the strength your certification and merits positions create rather than from a posture of just wanting it over.
Appeals Of Adverse Rulings
An adverse certification or merits ruling is not always the last word. We pursue interlocutory appeals of certification orders under Rule 23(f) and appeals of merits rulings where the law and the record give us a real shot. A well-timed appeal can reverse the outcome or reset the negotiating dynamic, and we assess that path honestly so you spend on it only when it can change the result.