menu
  • Our Story

    • Overview
    • Careers
    • Locations
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
    • Pro Bono
    • Community Involvement
    • Firm Leadership
    • History
    • Alumni
    • Affiliations
    • Media Inquiries
    • Make a Payment
  • Our People

  • Our Insights

    • Events/CLE
    • Publications
    • News
    • Blogs
  • Our Practices & Industries

    • Business
      • Business Transitions
      • Construction
      • Corporate, Securities, and M&A
      • ERISA, Life, Health & Disability
      • Finance & Banking
      • Health Care Transactions
      • Intellectual Property Transactions
      • Immigration
      • Labor, Employment & Benefits
      • Private Investment Funds
      • Private Client Services
      • Real Estate
      • Startups & Emerging Companies
      • Tax
      • Wage & Hour
    • Litigation
      • Antitrust, Competition & Trade
      • Appellate
      • Class Actions
      • Commercial Litigation
      • Construction
      • Creditors' Rights & Bankruptcy
      • Electronic Discovery, Technology & Strategy
      • ERISA, Life, Health & Disability
      • Fiduciary Litigation
      • Financial Institutions Litigation & Investigations
      • Insurance
      • Intellectual Property Litigation
      • International Arbitration
      • Labor, Employment & Benefits
      • Securities & Corporate Governance Litigation
      • Wage & Hour
    • Industries
      • Blockchain & Cryptocurrency
      • Food, Beverage & Hospitality
      • Government Law
      • Investigations, Compliance & White Collar
      • Japan Practice
      • Nonprofit & Social Enterprise
      • Privacy & Data Security
      • Senior Living & Long Term Care
      • Transportation
    • Services
      • COVID-19 Landlord/Tenant Response Team
      • COVID-19 Resource Center
      • Business Dispute Resolution
  • Our Locations

    • Anchorage
    • Portland
    • Seattle
  • Our Careers

    • Attorneys
    • Summer Associates
    • Professional Staff
  • Our Diversity

    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
    • Our Story
Lane Powell Web Site
  • OUR PEOPLE
  • STORY
  • INSIGHTS
  • PRACTICES & INDUSTRIES
Search
  • 日本語
  • 中文
  • 한국어
Email this pagePrint this pagePrint to PDF

Class Actions

While the defense of each and every lawsuit presents its own particular complications and burdens for the defendant, few would dispute that in today’s business climate class action lawsuits and other multi-claimant proceedings have become a special breed of lawsuit. These cases often present the greatest litigation risk to businesses and employers. Experts expect a continued increase in the number of class actions filed against businesses, the individuals who run businesses and entire industries.  

The Class Actions Team at Lane Powell is well recognized as a leading force in the defense of class actions throughout the U.S. In fact, our practice has been highly ranked in the U.S. News – Best Lawyers® annual “Best Law Firms” survey for representing defendants in mass tort litigation and class action. We are among the few firms that have hands-on experience trying class actions before judges and juries to conclusion. We have defended more than 100 class action lawsuits in state and federal courts throughout the U.S. Our class action experience has allowed us to develop considerable experience in all aspects of class action litigation and has involved a broad spectrum of subject matters, including:

  • Alien Tort Claims Act;
  • Annuity sales and marketing practices;
  • Antitrust/trade regulation;
  • Automobile insurance;
  • Banking and mortgage lending practices;
  • Consumer protection;
  • Consumer credit and fair credit reporting;
  • Debt collection;
  • Employee benefits;
  • Employment discrimination;
  • Environmental/toxic tort;
  • ERISA;
  • Fiduciary duty/trust issues;
  • Health care;
  • Life, health and disability insurance;
  • Pharmaceuticals;
  • Products liability;
  • RICO;
  • Securities;
  • Telecommunications;
  • Utilities; and
  • Wage and hour.

We have a well-established track record of defending class action allegations and litigation with creative, aggressive and practical litigation strategies. Our experience in defending class actions allows us to recognize the unique defense challenges posed by class action claims. Typically, the class action lawsuit involves hundreds, if not thousands or even tens of thousands of claimants. As a result, the stakes are often very high, and the costs of defense substantial, if not devastating, to the average business. We recognize this reality and routinely counsel clients on identifying and avoiding exposure to class action claims.

When a client is named as a defendant in a class action, we immediately begin an early exposure assessment of the claims, including an analysis of what our client should expect the day-to-day impact of the litigation to be on its business operations and employee morale. We emphasize that the early appointment and education of a client team may be crucial to quickly identifying and addressing important preliminary issues such as insurance coverage for the claims, the implications on securities law obligations and disclosures that may be triggered by the claims, the need to interface with government agencies that may be involved with the claims, the potential necessity for separate counsel for individual defendants, the impact the claims may have on public relations and media coverage, and the logistics of maintaining solid employee relations and communications, in spite of the litigation.

At the same time that we evaluate the potential class size and client exposure, we also work with the client to prepare a customized litigation strategy plan that includes an analysis of such legal issues as whether the class action mechanism is an appropriate vehicle for the joinder of the claims presented and whether state or federal law governs the case. From the outset, we conduct a thorough factual investigation of the claims and backgrounds of the plaintiff s named in the suit. We may also interview potential class members, and secure the services of experts necessary to defend the claims. We are proud of our success in targeting early discovery and motion practice to avoid class certification. We also keep a watchful eye on settlement opportunities, and press for alternative dispute resolution as appropriate. Most importantly, when a class action must be taken to trial, we are ready and able to do so, and have actually tried class action claims to successful conclusion before judges and juries.

  • Class Action Legal Updates
  • Award_BestLawFirms2021

Contact

  • Erin M. Wilson
    D.206.223.7432
    wilsonem@lanepowell.com

Related Practices & Industries

  • Antitrust, Competition & Trade
  • Class Action Readiness Panel
  • Electronic Discovery, Technology & Strategy
  • ERISA, Life, Health & Disability
  • Fiduciary Litigation
  • Financial Institutions Litigation & Investigations
  • Insurance
  • Labor, Employment & Benefits
  • Litigation
  • Securities & Corporate Governance Litigation
  • Wage & Hour

Want to stay up-to-date on Class Action matters?

 

[ "side-lightbox" : "Class Action Sign Up Button" ]

 

  • Class Action Readiness Panel

Get to Know Us

Experience

  • Carr v. United Healthcare Services Inc.
    Case No. 2:15-cv-01105U.S. District Court, Western District of WashingtonSeattle, Washington
    Defended United HealthCare Services, Inc. (UHC) in a large complex class action lawsuit concerning all of UHC’s self-funded plans nationwide and claims related to the Federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act.
  • Johnson v. MGM Studios Inc. and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC
    Case No. 2:17-cv-00541-RSM U.S. District Court, Western District of WashingtonSeattle, Washington
    Nationwide class action alleging violation of Washington's Consumer Protection Act.
  • Palavalli v. Bank of America, N.A.
    U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
    Class action, mortgage contract.
  • Capitol West v. Countrywide Home Loans, Inc.
    U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
    Class action, RICO.
  • Douglas v. ReconTrust Company, N.A.
    U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
    Class action alleging violation of Washington Consumer Protection Act.
  • Lund v. Sea Ray
    Class action, fuel consumption/consumer protection.
  • Prescott et al v. CVS Health Corporation et al.
    Case No. 2:17CV00803U.S. District Court, Western District of WashingtonSeattle, Washington
    Class action, RICO — prescription drug pricing.
  • Beyer v. Countrywide Home Loans, Inc.
    U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
    Class action, mortgage contract.
  • Wright v. AMC Mortgage Services, Inc.
    Class action, mortgage contract.
  • Abell, et al. v. Northwest Toys Co., et al.
    Wage and hour compliance.
  • A.D. v. T-Mobile USA, Inc. and United Healthcare Services, Inc.
    Case No. 2:15-cv-00180U.S. District Court, Western District of WashingtonSeattle, Washington
    Represent T-Mobile and United Healthcare in a putative class action alleging that the Employee Benefit Plan provided and administrated by our clients unlawfully excluded an intensive behavioral intervention treatment called Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from among the many treatment options covered by the Plan for autism spectrum disorder.
  • A.G., et al. v. Premera Blue Cross, et al.
    Case No. 11-2-30233-4 SEAKing County Superior CourtSeattle, Washington
    Represented client Premera Blue Cross in a Washington Mental Health Parity Act and consumer protection matter.
  • Alvarez, et al. v. IBP, Inc.
    Case No. CT-98-5005-RHWU.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington
    Wage and Hour compliance.
  • Hovila v. Tween Brands Inc.
    Case No. C09-491RSLU.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
    Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) class action.
  • McClintic v. Lithia Motors, Inc.,
    Case No. C11-859RAJU.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
    Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) class action.
  • Turnquist v. Nordstrom, Inc.
    Defended Nordstrom against allegations levied by a former employee of nationwide class action and personal employment claims asserting that Nordstrom accounting methods violated law and employees reporting errors were discharged.
  • Alpha Therapeutic v. Allianz
    Case No. BC 080 447Los Angeles County Superior Court
    Insurance coverage litigation for environmental claims.
  • Clark v. Payless Shoesource, Inc., et al.,
    Case No. C09-00915JCCU.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
    Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) class action.
  • Big Box Retailer Wage & Hour Class Action Lawsuit
    Defended big box retailer in a Wage and Hour Collective Action two-phase jury trial to judgment involving off-the-clock work allegations.
  • UNITE v. The Gap Superior Court San Francisco
    U.S. District Court, District of Alaska
    Saipan Sweatshop Litigation — Civil RICO Class Action regarding Saipan garment manufacturing industry.
  • Boursee v Texaco
    Represented client Texaco in a Contract Employee Class Action successfully defeating class certification.
  • Contos v. National Bank Escrow Company LLC
    Case No. C08-838ZU.S. District Court, Western District of WashingtonSeattle, Washington
    Represented National Bank Escrow in a putative class action lawsuit claiming violation of RESPA section 8(a) (12 U.S.C. § 2607(a)), the Washington Consumer Protection Act, and breach of fiduciary duty.
  • Carbon Materials Company Cartel Investigations
    Defend cartel investigations in the U.S., EU and Canada. Follow on civil litigation including 15+ class actions in the U.S. Settled before trial.
  • Carello v. Diamond Parking, Inc.
    Case No. 1:10-cv-00734U.S. District Court, District of Hawaii
    We acted as national counsel and lead trial counsel for Diamond Parking, Inc. and related entities in a national constitutional, civil rights and consumer class action arising out of our client’s parking concession agreement with the State of Hawaii.
  • Carbon Materials Company In re Graphite Electrodes Antitrust Litigation
    Case No. 97-CV-4182U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
    Defend cartel investigations in the US, Japan, EU, Brazil and Canada. Follow on civil litigation including 30+ class actions in the U.S. and Canada.
  • Kayshel v. Toyota of Kirkland
    Defending the O’Brien Auto Group, comprised of more than a dozen auto dealerships, against claims that the dealerships failed to pay their sales consultants commissions on sales made on finance department products.
  • Big Box Retailer Wage & Hour Class Action Lawsuit
    U.S. District Court, District of Oregon
    Defended big box retailer in case alleging the company failed to timely pay associates at the time of the termination of their employment. A favorable settlement was achieved and approved by the court.
  • Big Box Retailer Wage & Hour Class Action Lawsuit
    U.S. District Court, District of AlaskaAnchorage, Alaska
    Represented big box retailer in four major wage and hour class action lawsuits pending in the states of Alaska, California and Oregon, as well as consumer-based class allegations under gift card and consumer protection laws in the state of Washington.
  • Big Box Retailer Wage & Hour Class Action Lawsuit
    U.S. District Court, District of Oregon
    Defended big box retailer in case alleging the company failed to timely pay associates at the time of the termination of their employment. A favorable settlement was achieved and approved by the court.
  • Schroeder v. Diamond Parking, Inc. et al
    Case No. 1:12-cv-00378U.S. District Court, District of Hawaii
    We acted as national counsel and lead trial counsel for Diamond Parking, Inc. and related entities in a national constitutional, civil rights and consumer class action arising out of our client’s parking concession agreement with the State of Hawaii.
  • In re WPPSS Securities Litigation
    Case No. MDL No. 551
    Acted as securities litigation strategist on team defending Oregon Public Utility Districts in $2.2B class action brought by thousands of public utility bond purchasers and procured extremely favorable settlement.
  • Getty v. Harmon
    Case No. C98-178WDU.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
    Defend stockbroker/insurance salesman in federal court class action in Seattle under the PSLRA, and served as special securities defense counsel in parallel grand jury proceedings. Overcame class damage theories to spark a settlement highly satisfactory to client and his insurance carrier.
  • A.F. v. T-Mobile USA, Inc. and United Healthcare Services, Inc.
    Case No. 2:15-cv-00180U.S. District Court, Western District of WashingtonSeattle, Washington
    Represent T-Mobile and United Healthcare in a putative class action alleging that the Employee Benefit Plan provided and administrated by our clients unlawfully excluded an intensive behavioral intervention treatment called Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from among the many treatment options covered by the Plan for autism spectrum disorder.
  • A.D. v. T-Mobile USA, Inc. and United Healthcare Services, Inc.
    Case No. 2:15-cv-00180U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
    Represent T-Mobile and United Healthcare in a putative class action alleging that the Employee Benefit Plan provided and administrated by our clients unlawfully excluded an intensive behavioral intervention treatment called Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from among the many treatment options covered by the Plan for autism spectrum disorder.
  • Barker v. Thrive Causemetics, Inc. et al.
    Case No. 2:18-cv-01470-TSZU.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
    Defended client in class action alleging fraud and violation of Washington Consumer Protection Act.

Our Insights

  • July 14, 2022News

    Forty-four Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers in Washington for 2022

    Awards & Honors
  • July 15, 2021News
    Forty-Three Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers for 2021
    Awards & Honors
  • April 7, 2021Event / CLE
    Wage & Hours
    Association of Washington Business | Virtual
  • July 16, 2020News
    Thirty-Two Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers in Washington for 2020
    Awards & Honors
  • November 1, 2019News
    US News – Best Lawyers® Ranks Lane Powell Among Nation’s Top Law Firms for 2020
    Awards & Honors
  • September 17, 2019News
    Wilson Named to 2019 ’40 & Under Hot List’ by Benchmark Litigation
    Awards & Honors
  • July 1, 2019News
    Devlin Featured in Super Lawyers Magazine Article ‘Call of Duty’
    In the News
  • June 10, 2019News
    Thirty-one Lane Powell Attorneys Named ‘Washington Super Lawyers’ and Nine Named ‘Washington Rising Stars’
    Awards & Honors
  • June 4, 2019News
    Lane Powell Announces New Leaders, Reinforcing Focus on Innovation & Talent
    Firm Announcement
  • November 1, 2018News
    US News – Best Lawyers® Ranks Lane Powell Among Nation’s Top Law Firms for 2019
    Awards & Honors
  • October 12, 2018News
    Lane Powell Highly Recommended in Benchmark Litigation 2019
    Awards & Honors
  • June 21, 2018News
    M. Reilly Named Among ‘Top 100 Most Powerful Employment Attorneys in the Nation’
    Awards & Honors
  • June 18, 2018News
    Thirty-two Lane Powell Attorneys Named ‘Washington Super Lawyers’ and 14 Named ‘Washington Rising Stars’
    Awards & Honors
  • June 2018Publication
    Supreme Court to Consider Clarity Required to Authorize Class Arbitration (Lamps Plus, Inc. v. Varela)
    Class Actions Legal Update
  • June 2018Publication
    Supreme Court to Consider Propriety of Cy Pres Awards (In re Google Referrer Header Privacy Litigation (Frank v. Gaos)
    Class Actions Legal Update
  • June 2018Publication
    Ninth Circuit Confirms Evidence Relied on for Class Certification Does Not Have To Be Admissible (Sali v. Corona Regional Medical Center)
    Class Actions Legal Update
  • November 1, 2017News
    U.S. News and Best Lawyers Ranks Lane Powell Among the Nation’s Top Law Firms for 2018
    Awards & Honors
  • August 15, 2017News
    Fifty-nine Lane Powell Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers® in America 2018
    Awards & Honors
  • June 9, 2017News
    Thirty-one Lane Powell Attorneys Named ‘Washington Super Lawyers’ and 16 Named ‘Washington Rising Stars’
    Awards & Honors
  • March 6, 2017News
    Denton Admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court
    Awards & Honors
  • August 17, 2016News
    Fifty-one Lane Powell Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers in America® 2017
    Awards & Honors
  • November 17, 2015Publication
    My Business Was Hit With a Class Action! What Do I Do?
    Seattle Business
  • October 23, 2015Publication
    Three Quick Strategic Responses to Title III ADA Class Action Claims
    Lane Powell White Paper
  • October 20, 2015Publication
    Third Circuit Upholds Certification in Mortgage Loan Case
    American Bar Association Section of Litigation
  • October 20, 2015Publication
    Southwest Airlines In-flight Alcohol Suit Causes Circuit Split
    American Bar Association Section of Litigation
  • August 17, 2015News
    Forty-eight Lane Powell Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers in America® 2016
    Awards & Honors
  • June 12, 2015News
    Thirty-two Lane Powell Attorneys Named ‘Washington Super Lawyers’ and 11 Named as ‘Washington Rising Stars’
    Awards & Honors
  • November 4, 2014News
    U.S. News and Best Lawyers Ranks Lane Powell Among the Nation’s Top Law Firms
  • August 18, 2014News
    Fifty-One Lane Powell Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers in America® 2015
    Awards & Honors
  • June 13, 2014News
    Thirty-five Lane Powell Attorneys Named ‘Washington Super Lawyers’ and Fifteen Named as ‘Washington Rising Stars’
    Awards & Honors
  • June 14, 2013News
    Thirty-Six Lane Powell Attorneys Named ‘Washington Super Lawyers’ and Sixteen Named as ‘Washington Rising Stars’
    Awards & Honors
  • August 9, 2011News
    Thirty-six Lane Powell Attorneys Listed as Top Lawyers in Seattle Metropolitan Magazine
    Awards & Honors
  • June 6, 2010News
    28 Lane Powell Attorneys Named Washington Super Lawyers 2010
    Awards & Honors

Before proceeding, please note:  If you are not a current client of Lane Powell PC, please do not include any information in this email that you or someone else considers to be confidential or secret in nature.  Prior to the establishment of a lawyer-client relationship, unsolicited emails from non-clients containing confidential or secret information cannot be protected from disclosure.

back to top
  • Our Story

    • Overview
    • Careers
    • Locations
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
    • Pro Bono
    • Community Involvement
    • Firm Leadership
    • History
    • Alumni
    • Affiliations
    • Media Inquiries
    • Make a Payment
  • Our People

    • Our Insights

      • Events/CLE
      • Publications
      • News
      • Blogs
    • Our Practices & Industries

      • Business
      • Litigation
      • Industries
      • Services
      • View All

    Blogs

    Boom: The ERISA Law Blog
    Earth & Table Law Reporter

    • Site Map
    • Disclaimer
    • Data Privacy & Security
    • Contact Us
    • Subscribe
    © 2023 Lane Powell PC Lane Powell & LP
    Logo, Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off.
    Sitemap
    Connect With Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Linkedin
    • Vimeo
    • Make a Payment