The Alabama Deceptive Trade Practices Act’s (ADTPA) restriction on private class actions does not apply in federal court. Federal Rule 23 controls. That’s what the Eleventh Circuit recently held, relying on Shady Grove Orthopedic Associates, P.A. v. Allstate Insurance Co., 559 U.S. 393, 130 S. Ct. 1431, 176 L.Ed.2d 311 (2010). Plaintiff contracted for installation of a wood fence. The manufacturer warranted that the wood was treated and would remain free from rot, ... Keep Reading »
Archives for July 2015
Event: DRI Class Actions (July 23-24, 2015)
DRI will be hosting Class Actions: Latest Developments in Law and Practice July 23-24, 2015 at the JW Marriott in Washington, D.C. This high level seminar experience is hosted by an interdisciplinary collection of DRI committees and offers a stellar opportunity to sharpen your class action defense skills in the presence of the best in the business. Attendees will have the opportunity to build their books of contacts at a variety of networking events, where the finest ... Keep Reading »
Ninth Circuit Finds Local Controversy Exception to CAFA
The Ninth Circuit reversed the dismissal of a class action and instructed the district court to remand the case to state court, based on the local controversy exception to the Class Action Fairness Act (CAFA). In doing so, it held that a post-removal amended complaint may be considered to determine whether remand is appropriate. A group of Nevada citizens sued six separate entities in Nevada state court for illegal debt collection practices. After removal, the ... Keep Reading »
Eighth Circuit Affirms Denial of “Predominance” Class: The Long Arm of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act Does Not Reach Wholly Out-of-State Conduct
In 2012, California resident Ronald Perras brought suit in federal district court against H&R Block and its affiliates (H&R), which are headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. Perras alleged that H&R violated the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act (MMPA) by charging its customers compliance fees in excess of H&R’s actual cost of complying with new federal regulations. Perras sought to define a class of all persons in all states except Missouri who had ... Keep Reading »
Party Waived Right to Compel Arbitration by Waiting to Raise the Defense Until After Class Certification and Shortly Before Trial
After two years of litigation and extensive pretrial discovery, the Tenth Circuit held that cable company Cox Enterprises had waived its right to compel arbitration in an antitrust class action. The opinion is a cautionary tale for defendants not to delay in invoking their arbitration rights, warning against efforts by parties to "game the federal courts and abuse the judicial process" by waiting to raise the arbitration defense until after class certification and ... Keep Reading »
Certification Unhealthy: Ninth Circuit Vacates Order Certifying Class of Dietary Supplement Purchasers
The Ninth Circuit vacated a class certification order issued by the Central District of California, finding that common issues did not predominate because plaintiff had failed to demonstrate that the alleged misrepresentation that formed the basis of her suit had been made to all putative class members. Plaintiff alleged that defendant, Supple LLC, violated California’s Unfair Competition Law, California’s False Advertising Law, and California’s Consumer Legal Remedies ... Keep Reading »