/raid1/www/Hosts/bankrupt/CAR_Public/200604.mbx
C L A S S A C T I O N R E P O R T E R
Thursday, June 4, 2020, Vol. 22, No. 112
Headlines
2501 WEBSTER: Gutierrez Seeks Minimum & OT Pay Under FLSA & NYLL
3 WAY RESTAURANT: Gautier Seeks Minimum and OT Wages Under FLSA
ACADIA HEALTHCARE: Hamm Sues to Recover Unpaid Wages Under FLSA
ALIERA: Faces Class Action Over Health Care Coverage Problems
ALLIED ACCOUNT: Katz Sues in S.D. New York Over FDCPA Violation
ALLIED UNIVERSAL: Faces Zamor Suit Alleging Violations of FLSA
ALNYLAM PHARMA: Bid to Dismiss CCERF's Class Suit Still Pending
AMAZING DEALS: Alvaro Seeks Unpaid Overtime, Spread-of-Hours Pay
AMERIGAS PARTNERS: Maurice Wutscher Attorney Discusses Ruling
AO SMITH: Bid to Dismiss Birmingham Retirement Plan Suit Underway
APPLE INC: Settles iPhone FaceTime Class Action for $18 Million
AVIATION MANAGEMENT: Pomeroy Suit Seeks Overtime Wages Under FLSA
BAYAMON MEDICAL: Violates Patients' Privacy Rights, Umpierre Says
BIMBO BAKERIES: $325K Settlement in Ang Suit Gets Prelim. Approval
BOWLING SUPERMARKET: Prieto Sues Over Unpaid Overtime Wages
BRIT GLOBAL: Refuses to Cover COVID-19 Losses, Fire Island Says
BROSNAN RISK: Jones Suit Moved From Circuit Ct. to W.D. Missouri
CALIFORNIA STATE: Students Sue Over Failure to Offer Fee Refunds
CC&T CONSULTING: Headrick Seeks Unpaid Overtime Wages Under FLSA
CINTAS CORPORATE: Zambrano Seeks Reimbursement for Work Expenses
CLEARVIEW AI: Roberson Suit Transferred From E.D. Va. to S.D.N.Y.
CNK FOODS: Wrongfully Withholds Wages, Vasquez FLSA Suit Claims
CONTINENTAL CASUALTY: Denies COVID Loss Coverage, Hillcrest Says
CONTINENTAL PRODUCTION: Workers Seek to Recover Unpaid OT, Min. Pay
CONTINENTAL WESTERN: Refuses to Pay Covid-19 Claims, RPR Alleges
CORECIVIC INC: Denial of Bid to Dismiss Barrientos Suit Upheld
D'AHT WORLD: Wrongfully Withholds Earned Wages, Cabrera Suit Says
DAVITA INC: Response to Class Certification Bid Due June 29
EL CHURRASCO GRILL: Mateo Sues Over Half-Time Unpaid OT Wages
EMULEX CORP: Varjabedian Securities Suit Dismissed with Prejudice
EUPHORIA WELLNESS: Jackson Sues Over Automated Marketing Texts
FADA GROUP: Lin Suit Seeks Minimum and OT Pay Under FLSA & NJWHL
FITZCON EXCAVATION: Lema Sues Over Failure to Pay Overtime Wages
FLIGHT CENTRE: Changes Cancellation Cap Amid Class Action Threat
FLOWCO PRODUCTION: Keating Seeks OT Pay for Field Technicians
FOOD BAZAAR: Alvarez-Gutierrez Suit Seeks Unpaid Overtime Pay
FRONERI US: Falsely Sells Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream Bars, Sencen Says
GALENOS MEDICAL: Hernandez Sues to Recover Unpaid Overtime Wages
GENERAL MOTORS: Faces Holguin Suit Over Corvettes' Wheel Defect
GENERAL MOTORS: Jefferson Sues Over Shifter Defect in Acadia Cars
GENWORTH FINANCIAL: Awaits 11th Cir. Decision in TVPX ARX Suit
GENWORTH FINANCIAL: Brighton Trustees Sues GLAIC over COI Hike
GENWORTH FINANCIAL: Continues to Defend Burkhart Class Action
GHIRARDELLI: Class Action Over White Baking Chips Packaging Nixed
GSX TECHEDU: June 16 Lead Plaintiff Motion Deadline Set
HARTFORD FINANCIAL: Reinol Sues Over Failure to Pay for Losses
HARTFORD FINANCIAL: Wrongfully Denies Claims, Independence Claims
HB USA: Web Site Not Accessible to Blind People, Gonzalez Says
HISCOX INSURANCE: Refused Business Interruption Coverage Claims
HOMYN ENTERPRISES: Faces Gabriel Suit Over Untimely Wage Payment
IMAGINARY IMAGES: Dollar Suit Seeks Minimum and OT Pay Under FLSA
JOUER COSMETICS: Web Site Not Accessible to Blind, Gonzalez Says
JUUL LABS: BVSD School Board Mulls Joining Vaping Class Action
K&L ENTERTAINMENT: Parker Sues Over Unpaid Minimum and OT Wages
KLM ROYAL: Subramanyam Sues Over Failure to Provide Full Refunds
KVZ GOLF: Kroll Seeks Minimum Wages for Cart Attendants & Rangers
L'OREAL USA: Faces Williams Suit Over Blind-Inaccessible Web Site
LAND O'LAKES: Breaches Fiduciary Duties Under ERISA, Parmer Says
LINDNER & MARSACK: Oliver Sues in N.D. Texas Over FDCPA Violation
MANAGEMENT TRAINING: Jail Staff Seek OT Pay for Off-Clock Hours
MANTECH INT'L: Faces Gerken Suit Over Breach of Fiduciary Duties
MASSACHUSETTS: Class Action Filed on Behalf of Prisoners
MDL 2599: Remand of Abi-Hanna Suit v. Ford to New Jersey Endorsed
MDL 2599: Remand of Allen Suit v. Ford to Mississippi Endorsed
MDL 2599: Remand of Arvin Suit v. Ford to Indiana Endorsed
MDL 2599: Remand of Bass Suit v. Ford to S.D. Alabama Endorsed
MDL 2599: Remand of Childs Suit v. Ford to Wisconsin Endorsed
MDL 2599: Remand of Churilla Suit v. Ford to Arizona Endorsed
MDL 2599: Remand of Coffman Suit v. Ford to Nebraska Endorsed
MDL 2599: Remand of Crehan Suit v. Ford to Massachusetts Endorsed
MDL 2599: Remand of Davis Suit v. Ford to Illinois Endorsed
MDL 2599: Remand of Doyle Suit v. Ford to N.D. Florida Endorsed
MDL 2599: Remand of Dupreez Suit v. Ford to Maryland Endorsed
MDL 2599: Remand of Esposito Suit v. Ford to Connecticut Endorsed
MDL 2599: Remand of Gallardo Suit v. Ford to Colorado Endorsed
MDL 2599: Remand of George Suit v. Ford to Utah Endorsed
MDL 2599: Remand of Green Suit v. Ford to E.D. Arkansas Endorsed
MDL 2599: Remand of Harper Suit v. Ford to N.D. Ga. Endorsed
MDL 2599: Remand of Henderson Suit v. Ford to Oklahoma Endorsed
MDL 2599: Remand of Heuss Suit v. Ford to W.D. Texas Endorsed
MDL 2599: Remand of Mastroberti Suit v. Ford to Ohio Endorsed
MDL 2599: Remand of McDaid Suit v. Ford to Pennsylvania Endorsed
MDL 2599: Remand of Powell Suit v. Ford to E.D. Michigan Endorsed
MDL 2599: Remand of Reed Suit v. Ford to E.D. Missouri Endorsed
MDL 2599: Remand of Senitta Suit v. Ford to New York Endorsed
MEET GROUP: Class Suits Challenge Parship Group GmbH Merger Deal
MIDLAND CREDIT: Court Dismisses Galea FDCPA Suit Without Prejudice
MISSION HEALTH: Green Seeks to Recover Unpaid Overtime Wages
MONSANTO CO: Court Denies Bid to Remand Brant Suit
MUTUAL OF OMAHA: Baesel Sues Over Auto-dialed Telemarketing Calls
NATIONWIDE MUTUAL: Court Certifies Subclasses in Mostajo Labor Suit
NESTLE USA: Candies in Opaque Box Have False Labels, Iglesia Says
NEW YORK: Fails to Provide Timely Insurance Benefits, Islam Says
NEW YORK: Governor's EO Violates Civil Rights, Omnistone Alleges
NISOURCE INC: Settlement in Greater Lawrence Suit Granted Final OK
PACE ENCLOSURES: Hernandez Sues Over Unpaid Overtime Wages
PEAK SYSTEMS: Gore Suit Seeks Unpaid Overtime Wages Under FLSA
PENNSYLVANIA SECU: Skoczen Sues Over Unfair NSF Fees Collection
PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY: Ramey Wants Tuition & Fees Refund
PENNSYLVANIA: Department of Health Faces Class Action
PG&E: Class Action Partially Funded by Wall Street Firms
PHH MORTGAGE: Dunn Sues in New Jersey Alleging Violation of TILA
PRIMERICA CLIENT: Faces Naveja Employment Suit in California
RESPONSIVE GROUP: Faces Pandemic Care Class Action
SANTA ANA: Resendiz Sues Over Wages, Rest/Meal Breaks Violations
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC: Turner Sues Over Breach of Fiduciary Duties
SNL MEAT AND PRODUCE: Toc Sues Over Failure to Pay Overtime Wages
SO. ILLINOIS HARDWARE: Day Can Conduct Jurisdictional Discovery
SOCIETY INSURANCE: Barn et al. Seek Payment for COVID-19 Losses
SORRENTO THERAPEUTICS: Wasa Sues Over Drop in Securities' Value
SPARTAN ENTERPRISES: Guevara Seeks to Recover Wages Under FLSA
STARR INDEMNITY: Refuses COVID-19 Losses Coverage, Ital Uomo Says
SUNRISE MEATS: Fails to Pay Proper Overtime Wages, Morales Claims
TOTAL CONCRETE: Johnson Suit Seeks Unpaid Back Wages Under FLSA
TWENTY4SEVEN HOTELS: Faces Camacho Employment Suit in California
TYSON FOODS: Martinez Sues Over Failure to Pay Overtime Wages
UTICA NATIONAL: Refuses COVID-19 Losses Coverage, Colby Suit Says
VOICE DIRECTORIES: Faces Loftus TCPA Suit Over Unsolicited Calls
VOLKSWAGEN GROUP: Dickinson et al. Sue Over Engine Stalling Defect
WALMART INC: Hanna Sues Over Unfair Sale of Herbicide Roundup
WEST COAST URGENT: Fails to Pay Minimum and OT Wages, Haro Claims
WESTLAKE CHEMICAL: Bid to Dismiss Caustic Soda Class Suits Pending
YORK BAGELS: Martinez-Cruz Seeks Unpaid Wages for Counter Staff
ZIONS BANCORPORATION: "Evans" Initial Status Conference in July
ZIONS BANCORPORATION: Bid to Dismiss Gregory Suit Pending
ZOOM VIDEO: Labaton Sucharow Files Securities Class Action
[*] Greenberg Traurig Attorneys Discuss Covid-19 Class Actions
*********
2501 WEBSTER: Gutierrez Seeks Minimum & OT Pay Under FLSA & NYLL
----------------------------------------------------------------
YERSIKA M. GUTIERREZ DE MUNOZ, individually and on behalf of others
similarly situated v. 2501 WEBSTER RESTAURANT CORP. (D/B/A PARRILLA
LATINA), PARRILLA LATINA RESTAURANT INC. (D/B/A PARRILLA LATINA),
YVETTE IZAGUIRRE, MICHELLE IZAGUIRRE, and ORLENY ROMERO, Case No.
1:20-cv-03817 (S.D.N.Y., May 15, 2020), seeks to recover unpaid
minimum and overtime wages pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards and
the New York Labor Law.
The Plaintiff contends that she worked in excess of 40 hours per
week, without appropriate minimum wage and overtime compensation
for the hours that she worked. Rather, the Defendants failed to
maintain accurate recordkeeping of the hours worked and failed to
pay her appropriately for any hours worked, either at the straight
rate of pay or for any additional overtime premium, she adds.
The Plaintiff was employed by the Defendants at their Restaurant
from December 2, 2018, until December 31, 2019. She was employed as
a waitress. However, she was required to spend a considerable part
of her work day performing non-tipped duties, including cleaning
the tables, sweeping, organizing the tables and chairs, picking up
telephone orders, packing up deliveries, cleaning the windows, and
cleaning the buffet steam.
The Defendants own, operate, or control a Latin American
Restaurant, located at 2501 Webster Ave., in Bronx, New York, under
the name "Parrilla Latina."[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Michael Faillace, Esq.
MICHAEL FAILLACE & ASSOCIATES, P.C.
60 East 42nd Street, Suite 4510
New York, NY 10165
Telephone: (212) 317-1200
Facsimile: (212) 317-1620
E-mail: Faillace@employmentcompliance.com
3 WAY RESTAURANT: Gautier Seeks Minimum and OT Wages Under FLSA
---------------------------------------------------------------
DALMADO GAUTIER, individually and on behalf of others similarly
situated v. 3 WAY RESTAURANT, INC. (D/B/A 3 WAY), MIGUELINA Y.
LUNA, and LUIS O. BRUNO, Case No. 1:20-cv-03776 (S.D.N.Y., May 15,
2020), seeks to recover unpaid minimum and overtime wages pursuant
to the Fair Labor Standards and the New York Labor Law.
The Plaintiff contends that he worked for the Defendants in excess
of 40 hours per week, without appropriate minimum wage and overtime
compensation for the hours that he worked. Rather, the Defendants
failed to maintain accurate recordkeeping of the hours worked and
failed to pay him appropriately for any hours worked either at the
straight rate of pay or for any additional overtime premium.
Mr. Gautier was employed as a delivery worker at the Defendants'
restaurant. However, he was required to spend a considerable part
of his work day performing non-tipped duties, including refilling
the fridge with sodas, picking up the plates from the tables,
making bank deposits for the Defendants, cleaning the windows,
sweeping, mopping, and carrying items to and from the basement
(non-tipped duties).
The Defendants own, operate, or control a Dominican Restaurant,
located at 384 E 188th Street, in Bronx, New York. The Individual
Defendants serve or served as owners, managers, principals, or
agents of the Defendant Corporation.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Michael Faillace, Esq.
MICHAEL FAILLACE & ASSOCIATES , P.C.
60 East 42nd Street, Suite 4510
New York, NY 10165
Telephone: (212) 317-1200
Facsimile: (212) 317-1620
E-mail: Faillace@employmentcompliance.com
ACADIA HEALTHCARE: Hamm Sues to Recover Unpaid Wages Under FLSA
---------------------------------------------------------------
Amy Hamm, on behalf of herself and all others similarly situated v.
ACADIA HEALTHCARE CO., INC., RED RIVER HOSPITAL, LLC, and
OCHSNER-ACADIA, LLC, Case No. 2:20-cv-01515-SM-DMD (E.D. La., May
22, 2020), is brought to recover all unpaid wages, compensation,
penalties, and other damages owed to them under the Fair Labor
Standards Act, Texas law, and the Louisiana Revised Statutes.
According to the complaint, the Defendants violate the FLSA, Texas
law, and the La. R.S. by knowingly and willfully requiring the
Plaintiff to perform work and/or remain on-duty in a standby
capacity during their meal periods. The Defendants have notice that
the Plaintiff expect to be paid for their work on an hourly basis.
The Defendants receive the value of the Plaintiff's work performed
during their meal periods and while "off-the-clock" without
compensating them for their services. The Defendants willfully,
deliberately, and voluntarily fail to pay the Plaintiff for all
hours worked.
The Plaintiff was employed by the Defendants as a nurse at Red
River Hospital in Wichita Falls, Texas, and is currently employed
by the Defendants as a nurse at River Place Behavioral Health in
LaPlace, Louisiana.
The Defendant owns, operates, and/or manages behavioral hospitals
and health facilities throughout the United States.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Joseph C. Peiffer, Esq.
Daniel Centner, Esq.
PEIFFER WOLF CARR & KANE, APLC
1519 Robert C. Blakes, Sr. Drive
New Orleans, LA 70130
Phone: 504-523-2434
Email: JPeiffer@pwcklegal.com
DCentner@pwcklegal.com
- and -
Carolyn H. Cottrell, Esq.
David C. Leimbach, Esq.
SCHNEIDER WALLACE COTTRELL KONECKY WOTKYNS LLP
2000 Powell Street, Suite 1400
Emeryville, CA 94608
Phone: (415) 421-7100
Facsimile: (415) 421-7105
Email: ccottrell@schneiderwallace.com
dleimbach@schneiderwallace.com
- and -
William M. Hogg, Esq.
SCHNEIDER WALLACE COTTRELL KONECKY WOTKYNS LLP
3700 Buffalo Speedway, Suite 960
Houston, TX 77098
Phone: (713) 338-2560
Fax: (415) 421-7105
Email: whogg@schneiderwallace.com
ALIERA: Faces Class Action Over Health Care Coverage Problems
-------------------------------------------------------------
Justin Gray, writing for WSB-TV2, reports that now more than ever
people are relying on the health care coverage we pay for to
protect us.
But for months now, in a series of Channel 2 Action News
investigations we've reported on problems with an Atlanta based
health care sharing ministry.
While Aliera says it's done nothing wrong, along with a new
lawsuit, sources at the FBI confirm to Channel 2 investigative
reporter Justin Gray that there is an active investigation into the
company.
After repeated complaints, it's no longer a shock or a surprise.
We reported in January after the Segar family received a $324,000
hospital bill and Aliera would not pay a dime for 10-year-old Lola
Grae Segar's emergency brain surgery.
"We had a life-threatening emergency. They failed us and her,"
father Wesley Segars said.
It was the same situation for Julie Boulanger, who was left with a
$55,000 bill, and a $37,000 heart emergency for Ricky Smallwood.
In all these cases, the company providing their health coverage,
Atlanta-based Aliera, didn't pay for their medical bills.
"At a time like this, that's particularly cruel when people think
that they're buying something that covers them, and it doesn't,"
said attorney Jay Angoff.
Angoff just filed a class action lawsuit against Aliera and Trinity
Healthshare.
"We're alleging that what Aliera sells is inherently unfair and
deceptive," Angoff said.
Tom Kelly is one of the name plaintiffs in the new lawsuit.
"We made sure before we signed up that, of course, our doctors and
hospitals would all be in network," Kelly said.
But when it came time to pay, Aliera told Kelly that's not the
case.
Just like the other families we've introduced you to in our series
of Channel 2 Action News investigations over the past six months,
Kelly has an expensive Aliera story to tell.
"It seemed like no matter what our circumstances were, the surgery
was denied for the same reason -- we were out of network.
"It stated to see there was nothing that was in network?" Gray
asked Kelly.
"Right. Exactly," Kelly said.
What Aliera claims to be is not traditional health insurance. It
administers the payouts for a faith-based nonprofit, Trinity
Healthshare.
Members pay in monthly and are supposed to share each other's
medical expenses.
"They think a faith-based organization, they must have my interests
at heart here?" Gray asked Kelly.
"And that's particularly offensive no matter what religion you
belong to," Kelly said.
Multiple states have ordered Aliera to stop doing business.
Kelly went with Aliera specifically because he wanted to be part of
a faith-based health share.
"They're not a faith-based group. I believe they are con artists. I
believe that they're just doing this to steal money. I don't
believe they have really helped anyone or plan on doing just that,"
Kelly said.
Shelley Steele-Moses is registered as the CEO of Aliera. Court
papers show for most of Aliera's history Steele shared control with
her husband Timothy Moses.
In 2006, Moses was sentenced to more than six years in prison for
securities fraud and perjury.
Channel 2 investigative reporter Jim Strickland tracked Steele down
in the fall.
"Do you have any apologies to the members who feel their claims
ought to be paid and they're not paid?" Strickland asked Steele.
"We're not a health care sharing ministry Mr. Strickland. We only
administer on behalf of the ministries. I can't help you any
further. I need to get out of town," Steele said.
If it sounds confusing, Angoff told Gray that it's by design.
"It's just inherently confusing and unfair and deceptive," Angoff
said.
Since it's not technically insurance, Aliera can avoid regulation
and enforcement from state insurance commissioners.
"Aliera effectively markets itself to the general public as
insurance and it's a fraud and it's using religion as a cover which
I find extremely offensive," Angoff said.
Channel 2 Action News did contact Aliera for comment about this
story. They told Gray in a statement:
"Marketing materials make a point of stating very clearly that
these programs are absolutely not insurance. Any assertions to the
contrary are simply incorrect. We will continue to vigorously
defend against false claims about the services our company provides
its clients."
Along with the new lawsuit, Gray confirmed that an FBI
investigation into Aliera is still active and underway.
Kelly and his wife said they have canceled their Aliera coverage
and found a different health care sharing ministry they trust.
"It can be catastrophic. It can tear up families. It can ruin them
financially. It's time to take some action and get away from them,"
Kelly said.
Aliera officials still maintain they are doing nothing wrong.
The company told Gray that in health care sharing, members pay for
one another's health care through voluntary gifts not because of a
legal obligation. [GN]
ALLIED ACCOUNT: Katz Sues in S.D. New York Over FDCPA Violation
---------------------------------------------------------------
A class action lawsuit has been filed against Allied Account
Services, Inc., et al. The case is styled as Chaim Katz,
individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v.
Allied Account Services, Inc., John Does 1-25, Case No.
7:20-cv-04026 (S.D.N.Y., May 25, 2020).
The lawsuit is brought over alleged violation of the Fair Debt
Collection Practices Act.
Allied Account Services is an accounts receivable management firm
specializing in the recovery of delinquent debt.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Raphael Deutsch, Esq.
STEIN SAKS PLLC
285 Passaic Street
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Phone: (347) 668-9326
Fax: (201) 282-6501
Email: rdeutsch@steinsakslegal.com
ALLIED UNIVERSAL: Faces Zamor Suit Alleging Violations of FLSA
--------------------------------------------------------------
Dodlay Zamor, on behalf of himself and all others similarly
situated v. ALLIED UNIVERSAL, UNIVERSAL PROTECTION SERVICE, LLC,
and JOHN DOE DEFENDANTS 1-10, Case No. 2:20-cv-06294 (D.N.J., May
22, 2020), arises from the Defendants' violation of the Fair Labor
Standards Act, the New Jersey State Wage and Hour Law, the New
Jersey Paid Sick Leave Law, the Family Medical Leave Act, and the
New Jersey Family Leave Act.
The Defendants engaged in a policy and practice of requiring the
Plaintiff to regularly work in excess of 40 hours per week without
providing them overtime compensation as required by applicable
federal and New Jersey state law, according to the complaint. The
Defendants engaged in a policy and practice of failing to provide
the Plaintiff with required sick leave in violation of the New
Jersey Paid Sick Leave law, and associated New Jersey
Administrative Code violations.
Plaintiff Zamora was employed by Defendants full time as a security
officer.
Allied Universal, also known as Universal Security Service, LLC, is
a foreign limited liability company, with its headquarters located
on the east coast in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, and on the west
coast in Santa Ana, California.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Andrew I. Glenn, Esq.
Jodi J. Jaffe, Esq.
JAFFE GLENN LAW GROUP, P.A.
301 N. Harrison Street, Suite 9F, #306
Princeton, NJ 08540
Phone: (201) 687-9977
Facsimile: (201) 595-0308
Email: Aglenn@jaffeglenn.com
jjaffe@JaffeGlenn.com
ALNYLAM PHARMA: Bid to Dismiss CCERF's Class Suit Still Pending
---------------------------------------------------------------
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. said in its Form 10-Q Report filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 2020, for the
quarterly period ended March 31, 2020, that the defendants' motion
to dismiss the class action suit initiated by Chester County
Employees Retirement Fund remains pending.
On September 12, 2019, the Chester County Employees Retirement
Fund, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated,
filed a purported securities class action complaint for violation
of federal securities laws against the company, certain of its
current and former directors and officers, and the underwriters of
the company's November 14, 2017 public stock offering, in the
Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County.
On November 7, 2019, plaintiff filed an amended complaint, or the
New York Complaint. The New York Complaint is brought on behalf of
an alleged class of those who purchased the company's securities
pursuant and/or traceable to its November 14, 2017 public stock
offering.
The New York Complaint purports to allege claims arising under
Sections 11, 12(a)(2) and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and generally alleges that the defendants violated the
federal securities laws by, among other things, making material
misstatements or omissions concerning the results of our APOLLO
Phase 3 clinical trial of patisiran.
The plaintiff seeks, among other things, the designation of the
action as a class action, an award of unspecified compensatory
damages, rescissory damages, interest, costs and expenses,
including counsel fees and expert fees, and other relief as the
court deems appropriate.
All defendants filed a joint motion to dismiss the New York
Complaint in its entirety on December 20, 2019. Plaintiff's
response to that motion was filed on February 3, 2020, and
defendants filed a joint reply on March 4, 2020.
Defendants' motion remains pending.
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, focuses
on discovering, developing, and commercializing RNA interference
(RNAi) therapeutics. The company was founded in 2002 and is
headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
AMAZING DEALS: Alvaro Seeks Unpaid Overtime, Spread-of-Hours Pay
----------------------------------------------------------------
Victor Manuel Alvaro, individually and on behalf of all others
similarly situated, Plaintiff, v. Amazing Deals Inc. and NYC Deals
2nd Avenue Corp., Asad Mahmood, Defendants, Case No. 20-cv-02142
(E.D. N.Y., May 12, 2020) seeks unpaid minimum wages and overtime
wage orders pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, New
York Labor Law, NY Wage Theft Prevention Act and the
"spread-of-hours" and overtime wage orders of the New York
Commission of Labor, including applicable liquidated damages,
interest, attorneys' fees, and costs.
Defendants operate as "NYC Deals and 99 Cent Discount Stores" where
Alvaro worked as a Sales Assistant. He usually works in excess of
40 hours per week, without appropriate compensation for the hours
over 40 per week. Defendants also failed to maintain accurate
recordkeeping of their hours worked and failed to pay Alvaro the
required "spread-of-hours" pay for any day in which he had to work
over 10 hours a day. [BN]
Plaintiff is represented by:
Lina Stillman, Esq.
STILLMAN LEGAL PC
42 Broadway, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Tel: (212) 203-2417
Website: www.FightForUrRights.com
AMERIGAS PARTNERS: Maurice Wutscher Attorney Discusses Ruling
-------------------------------------------------------------
Ryan Grotz, Esq., of Maurice Wutscher LLP, in an article for
Lexology, reports that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth
Circuit recently held that a lawsuit brought by the attorney
general of Michigan on behalf of Michigan residents did not qualify
as a "class action" under the federal Class Action Fairness Act
(CAFA).
The Court reasoned that the state statute authorizing "class
actions" by the Michigan attorney general lacked the core
requirements of typicality, commonality, adequacy, and numerosity
necessary to certify a class under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure
23.
The case is styled Dana Nessel v. AmeriGas Partners.
The attorney general of Michigan sued a provider of residential
propane in Michigan ("propane provider") alleging violations of the
Michigan Consumer Protection Act (MCPA) including unfair trade
practices and illegal pricing schemes.
Section 10 of the MCPA, titled "class actions by attorney general
for actual damages," authorized the attorney general to bring suit
on behalf of Michigan residents. Section 10 provides in part:
"The attorney general may bring a class action on behalf of persons
residing in or injured in this state for the actual damages caused
by any of the following: (a) A method, act or practice in trade or
commerce defined as unlawful under section 3 [unfair,
unconscionable, or deceptive methods, acts, or practices]."
The propane provider removed the case to federal court, arguing the
attorney general's lawsuit is a class action under the federal
Class Action Fairness Act of 2005.
The trial court remanded the case to state court, finding that it
lacked subject matter jurisdiction over the action.
The propane provider petitioned the Sixth Circuit for permission to
appeal the trial court's order. The Sixth Circuit granted
permission based on its discretion to accept appeals presenting
CAFA issues.
As you may recall, under CAFA, a federal court has original
jurisdiction over a class action when (1) there is minimal
diversity of citizenship between the parties; (2) the aggregate
amount in controversy exceeds $5 million; and (3) the proposed
class contains at least 100 members. 28 U.S.C. Sec. 1332(d)
(2)–(6); see Dart Cherokee Basin Operating Co., LLC v. Owens, 574
U.S. 81, 84–85 (2014).
CAFA defines a class action as "any civil action filed under Rule
23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or similar State statute
or rule of judicial procedure authorizing an action to be brought
by 1 or more representative persons as a class action." 28 U.S.C.
Sec. 1332(d)(1)(B).
Rule 23 specifies four prerequisites that must be satisfied before
a member of a class may sue or be sued as a representative party:
numerosity, commonality, typicality, and adequate representation.
Under CAFA, removal jurisdiction exists only when a class action is
brought pursuant to Rule 23 itself or a "similar" state statute. 28
U.S.C. Sec. 1332(d)(1)(B).
The Sixth Circuit first looked to the plain text of the statute to
determine whether removal jurisdiction exists under CAFA, holding
"the Attorney General's lawsuit brought pursuant to Section 10 of
the MCPA does not satisfy any of these core requirements
[numerosity, commonality, typicality, and adequate representation],
most notably typicality and adequate representation, and so is not
similar to a class action brought pursuant to Rule 23."
The Sixth Circuit noted "Section 10 does not require the Attorney
General to have suffered an injury at the hands of Defendants or to
bring a claim that is otherwise typical of each class member's
claim." See Gen. Tel. Co. of Sw. v. Falcon, 457 U.S. 147, 156
(1982) ("We have repeatedly held that ‘a class representative
must be part of the class and possess the same interest and suffer
the same injury as the class members.'" (quoting E. Tex. Motor
Freight Sys., Inc. v. Rodriguez, 431 U.S. 395, 403 (1977)))." The
attorney general herself need not purchase any propane or have
otherwise been harmed and thus her claims are not "typical" of the
proposed class members on whose behalf she brings the lawsuit.
Next, the Sixth Circuit used the same logic in determining the MCPA
does not satisfy the requirement of adequate representation, noting
"just because the Attorney General is authorized to seek damages on
behalf of a group of consumers who were allegedly harmed by [the
propane provider's] practices does not mean that the Attorney
General is an ‘adequate representative' of that class."
Finally, the Sixth Circuit added, Section 10 does not require the
attorney general to join the affected consumers as named plaintiffs
in her lawsuit, "thus, it is unclear how the requirements of
numerosity and commonality could ever be satisfied in a Section 10
lawsuit."
The propane provider responded that although Section 10 does not
require satisfaction of numerosity, commonality, typicality, and
adequate representation, Michigan Rule 3.501, titled "class
actions," does, and is Michigan's analog to Rule 23. In addition,
the propane provider argued that Section 10 of the MCPA
incorporates Michigan Rule 3.501.
However, the Sixth Circuit noted that Michigan Rule 3.501 provides
that "[o]ne or more members of a class may sue or be sued as
representative parties on behalf of all members in a class action
only if" there is numerosity, commonality, typicality, adequate
representation, and superiority. Mich. Ct. R. 3.501(A).
Thus, as the Sixth Circuit described in its Section 10 analysis,
the attorney general is not a "member" of the class and does not
have claims that are typical of it. Therefore, the Sixth Circuit
held, by its plain language, Michigan Rule 3.501 does not apply to
an action brought by the attorney general pursuant to Section 10.
Accordingly, the Sixth Circuit affirmed the trial court's order
remanding the case to state court. [GN]
AO SMITH: Bid to Dismiss Birmingham Retirement Plan Suit Underway
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A. O. Smith Corporation said in its Form 10-Q Report filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on May 5, 2020, for the
quarterly period ended March 31, 2020, that the company's motion to
dismiss the class action suit entitled, City of Birmingham
Retirement and Relief System v. A. O. Smith Corporation, et al., is
pending.
On May 28, 2019, a putative securities class action lawsuit was
filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of
Wisconsin against the Company and certain of its current or former
officers. Subsequently, on November 22, 2019, a consolidated
amended complaint was filed by the lead plaintiff.
This action, now captioned as City of Birmingham Retirement and
Relief System v. A. O. Smith Corporation, et al., asserts
securities fraud claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act"), and seeks damages
and other relief based upon the allegations in the complaint.
On January 24, 2020, A. O. Smith and the other defendants moved to
dismiss the consolidated amended complaint for failure to state a
claim. Their motion is currently pending.
No further updates were provided in the Company's SEC report.
A. O. Smith Corporation, incorporated on July 9, 1986, operates
through two segments: North America and Rest of World. The
Company's Rest of World segment primarily consists of China, Europe
and India. Both segments manufacture and market comprehensive lines
of residential and commercial gas, gas tankless and electric water
heaters, as well as water treatment products. Both segments
primarily manufacture and market in their respective regions of the
world. The company is based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
APPLE INC: Settles iPhone FaceTime Class Action for $18 Million
---------------------------------------------------------------
Chance Miller, writing for 9to5Mac, reports that Apple has
officially inked a deal to settle a class action lawsuit in
California that accused it of intentionally breaking FaceTime on
older iPhone devices. According to Law360, Apple has reached an $18
million deal in the case.
Through the settlement, 90% of the class action members will
receive compensation, either through the mail or electronically.
3.6 million devices are said to have been affected by the update,
and each class member will receive an estimated $3. The case was
scheduled for trial in April.
"The class is defined as all California owners of non-jailbroken
Apple iPhone 4 or 4S devices with iOS 6 or earlier operating
systems," according to the report. 30% of the settlement fund will
go to the class counsel, while the two original named plaintiffs
will each get $7,500.
The class action lawsuit in California accused Apple of
intentionally breaking FaceTime on iPhones running older versions
of iOS. Essentially, Apple switched the technical backend of
FaceTime with iOS 7 to lower its server costs. "That decision left
iPhone users stuck with a choice between a sluggish device or
losing the ability to use FaceTime," the report explains.
9to5Mac detailed the accusations in the past:
When FaceTime originally launched, there were two technologies used
for connecting iPhones together. The first used a peer-to-peer
standard to directly transfer audio and video between users. The
other used a "relay method," relying on third-party servers from
Akami to transfer the data between users.
Come 2012, however, Apple was found guilty of violating patents
owned by VirnetX with its peer-to-peer tech, thus forcing the
company to switch to the relay method for all FaceTime calls and
data.
These changes prompted Apple to investigate ways to reduce the cost
of FaceTime, thus leading to the development of a new peer-to-peer
standard that didn't infringe on VirnetX patents. The new
technology debuted with iOS 7, but the lawsuits alleged that Apple
realized it could force people to either upgrade to iOS 7 or break
FaceTime on iOS 6 by causing an important digital certificate to
expire earlier.
Apple originally agreed to reach a settlement deal back in
February. It also had a small victory in Florida earlier in April,
when a similar case was thrown out by a federal court. [GN]
AVIATION MANAGEMENT: Pomeroy Suit Seeks Overtime Wages Under FLSA
-----------------------------------------------------------------
SHANNON POMEROY v. AVIATION MANAGEMENT SALES, LLC and BRIAN HINKLE,
Case No. 2:20-cv-14151-XXXX (S.D. Fla., May 15, 2020), is brought
under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 on behalf of the
Plaintiff and other similarly situated employees, who were
unlawfully denied overtime wages.
By reason of the intentional, willful and unlawful acts of
Defendants, the Plaintiff and others similarly situated have
suffered damages and will continue to incur costs and attorneys'
fees, says the complaint.
The Plaintiff worked for the Defendants from January 2015 to
September 2019 as aviation hangar supervisor.
Aviation Management is a company serving the needs of regional,
international, private, & military airline operators
worldwide.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Todd W. Shulby, Esq.
TODD W. SHULBY, P.A.
1792 Bell Tower Lane
Weston, FL 33326
Telephone: (954) 530-2236
Facsimile: (954) 530-6628
E-mail: tshulby@shulbylaw.com
BAYAMON MEDICAL: Violates Patients' Privacy Rights, Umpierre Says
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Minerva Maria Hernandez Umpierre and Betzaida Santos Pagan,
individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v.
BAYAMON MEDICAL CENTER, a medical facility, and DOES 1 to 10,
inclusive, Case No. 3:20-cv-01237 (D.P.R., May 22, 2020), is
brought to secure redress against the Defendants for their reckless
and negligent violation of patient privacy rights resulting in
stolen patient information.
Bayamon Medical Center ("BMC") is a hospital. Thousands of patients
count on BMC to treat them competently and to handle their
sensitive medical and personal information with care, according to
the complaint. These patients reasonably expect the highest level
of protection for their private identifiable information, when
giving highly sensitive information, such as their Social Security
numbers and medical information to medical providers and insurers.
What these patients do not expect, and did not expect, was that
their personal and sensitive information would be harvested by
unauthorized individuals.
The Plaintiffs are patients of BMC, who were exposed by a data
breach. The Plaintiffs contend that they suffered significant
injuries and damages. The security breach compromised clinical,
demographic and financial information such as the full names,
social security numbers, dates of birth, and diagnoses. (referred
to collectively as "PII") of the Plaintiffs. As a result of the
Defendants' wrongful actions and inactions, unauthorized
individuals gained access to and harvested Plaintiffs' PII. The
Plaintiffs have been forced to take remedial steps to protect
themselves from future loss, says the complaint.
The Plaintiffs are citizens residing in Bayamon, Puerto
Rico, and have received medical care from BMC.
BMC is a medical facility with its principal offices located in
Bayamon, Puerto Rico.[BN]
The Plaintiffs are represented by:
David C. Indiano, Esq.
Jeffrey M. Williams, Esq.
Vanesa Vicens-Sanchez, Esq.
Christopher A. Davila, Esq.
INDIANO & WILLIAMS, P.S.C.
207 Del Parque Street, Third Floor
San Juan, PR 00912
Phone: 787-641-4545
Fax: 787-641-4544
Email: david.indiano@indianowilliams.com
jeffrey.williams@indianowilliams.com
vanesa.vicens@indianowilliams.com
c.davila@indianowilliams.com
- and –
Bobby Saadian, Esq.
Justin F. Marquez, Esq.
Thiago Coelho, Esq.
Robert J. Dart, Esq.
WILSHIRE LAW FIRM
3055 Wilshire Blvd., 12th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Phone: (213) 381-9988
Facsimile: (213) 381-9989
BIMBO BAKERIES: $325K Settlement in Ang Suit Gets Prelim. Approval
------------------------------------------------------------------
In the case, ALEX ANG, et al., Plaintiffs, v. BIMBO BAKERIES USA,
INC., Defendant, Case No. 13-cv-01196-HSG (N.D. Cal.), Judge
Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Northern
District of California granted the Plaintiffs' motion for
preliminary approval of class action settlement.
The Plaintiffs bring the consumer class action against the
Defendant alleging that it misbranded its baked goods. The
Plaintiffs allege that the Defendant owns and has distributed
products under various brands, including Arnold, Ball Park, Bimbo,
Boboli, Brownberry, Earthgrains, Entenmann's, Francisco,
Freihofer's, Marinela, Mrs. Baird's, Oroweat, Sara Lee, Stroehmann,
Thomas', and Tia Rosa.
According to the complaint, many of the Defendant's products are
sold with false, misleading and deceptive labeling. Specifically,
Plaintiffs allege that they purchased food products manufactured
and sold by Defendant that improperly: (1) applied the American
Heart Association's "Heart-Check Mark" without acknowledging that
the mark is a paid endorsement; (2) labeled products as a "good" or
"excellent source of whole grain"; (3) labeled products as "bread,"
even though they contain added coloring; and (4) labeled products
as "100% Whole Wheat," even though they were made with non-whole
wheat flour.
Based on these allegations, the Plaintiffs sought injunctive relief
and statutory damages, alleging violations of California's Unfair
Competition Law ("UCL); the California False Advertising Law
("FAL"); and the Consumers Legal Remedies Act ("CLRA"). They also
sought to represent four separate classes corresponding to these
violations that include all California consumers who bought the
same products (or products substantially similar to the products)
that they purchased at any time from March 18, 2009, to the
present.
On July 31, 2019, the parties engaged in an all-day mediation
before the Hon. Philip M. Pro (Ret.), former Chief Judge for the
U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, now a professional
mediator with JAMS. Through these efforts, the parties reached
settlement, formally executing the settlement agreement in December
2019. The Plaintiffs then filed an unopposed motion for
preliminary settlement approval on Dec. 13, 2019.
During the hearing on the motion for preliminary settlement
approval, the Court raised several concerns about the scope of the
proposed release and the lack of notice to the absent class
members. The Court provided the parties with several opportunities
to address these concerns. However, the parties appeared reluctant
to provide the absent class members with meaningful notice of the
terms of the settlement, and the Court ultimately denied the motion
for preliminary approval on that basis. On April 17, 2020, the
parties filed a renewed motion for preliminary approval.
In support of their renewed motion, the parties have included a
revised settlement agreement for the Court's consideration.
The key terms of the parties' revised settlement are:
a. Class Definition: The Settlement Class mirrors the Court's
Class Certification Order, and is defined as such all persons or
entities who or that made purchases in California of any
[Defendant] products identified in the Class Certification Order.
b. Settlement Benefits: The settlement agreement provides for
injunctive relief altering the product labeling statements and
formulations challenged in the SAC.
c. The Defendant further agrees that for a period of two years
from the effective date of the settlement, the Defendant will
advise a designated representative of the Class Counsel of any
changes to these products' labels as soon as practicable as they
relate to: (i) For the Whole Grain Products - Any labeling
statement that a product is a good source of whole grain or an
excellent source of whole grain; (ii) For the 100% Whole Wheat
Products: Any change to the product formulation to include soy
flour as an ingredient; and (iii) For the Added Coloring Products:
Any change to the product formulation to include coloring as an
ingredient. The Class Counsel will then have 15 days from the date
of the notice to inform Defendant of any objection to that labeling
change. The parties will work in good faith attempt to resolve all
disputes.
d. Settlement Payment: The Defendant agrees that as part of
the settlement, it will make available $325,000 that must be used,
pending Court approval, to compensate the Class Counsel for
attorneys' fees and costs, and for incentive payments to the Class
Representatives for their service in the case. No other monetary
relief is available to the class.
e. Incentive Award: The Plaintiffs as the Class
Representatives may apply for incentive award of no more than
$10,000 each.
f. Attorneys' Fees and Costs: The Class Counsel may file an
application for attorneys' fees not to exceed $325,000.
The settlement class is coextensive with the Class Certification
Order, including all persons or entities who or that made purchases
in California of any Defendant products identified in the Class
Certification Order. Because no facts that would affect the
Court's reasoning have changed since the Court's Class
Certification Order, Judge Gilliam incorporates by reference the
COurt's prior analysis under Rules 23(a) and (b) as set forth in
the order certifying the class. In addition, he incorporates the
Court's previous analysis appointing the Plaintiffs as the Class
Representatives and Fleischman Law Firm, PLLC, Barrett Law Group,
P.A., and Pratt & Associates as the Class Counsel.
Having weighed the relevant factors, the Judge preliminarily finds
that the settlement agreement is fair, reasonable, and adequate,
and grants preliminary approval. He directs the parties to include
both a joint proposed order and a joint proposed judgment when
submitting their motion for final approval.
Turning to the Class Notice, the Judge finds that the parties'
proposed notice by publication is still reasonably calculated under
the circumstances to apprise all the class members of the proposed
settlement, and finds in his discretion that the parties' proposed
notice plan is appropriate in the case. With respect to the
content of the notice itself, he finds that the parties' proposal
provides sufficient information about the case and proposed
settlement. It also will provide electronic access to key case
documents, including the motion for preliminary approval, motion
for final approval of class action settlement, motion for
attorneys' fees, and motions for incentive awards, as well as
instructions on how to access any other case document.
For the foregoing reasons, Judge Gilliam granted the Plaintiff's
renewed motion for preliminary approval of class action settlement.
The parties are directed to meet and confer and stipulate to a
schedule of dates for each event listed, which will be submitted to
the Court within seven days of the date of the Order:
a. Deadline for posting class notice on websites and issuing
press release
b. Filing deadline for attorneys' fees and costs motion
c. Filing deadline for incentive payment motion
d. Filing deadline for final approval motion
e. Deadline for the class members to submit objections to
motions
f. Final fairness hearing and hearing on motions
A full-text copy of the Court's April 28, 2020 Order is available
at https://is.gd/wrRtNl from Leagle.com.
BOWLING SUPERMARKET: Prieto Sues Over Unpaid Overtime Wages
-----------------------------------------------------------
Juan A. Prieto, and other similarly situated individuals v. BOWLING
SUPERMARKET INC., and NORBERTO BENITEZ-CALDERON, Case No.
9:20-cv-80830-XXXX (S.D. Fla., May 25, 2020), is brought to recover
money damages for unpaid overtime wages under the Fair Labor
Standards Act.
According to the complaint, the Plaintiff worked more than 40 hours
every week period, and he was paid for all hours at his regular
rate. However, the Plaintiff was not paid for overtime hours. The
Plaintiff clocked in and out utilizing a computer and the
Defendants were in complete control of the Plaintiff's schedule,
and they were able to keep track of the time worked by the
Plaintiff. Therefore, the Defendants willfully failed to pay the
Plaintiff for all his overtime hours at the rate of time and
one-half his regular rate for every hour that he worked in excess
of 40, in violation of the FLSA.
The Plaintiff was employed by the Defendants as a non-exempted,
full-time, employee, from September 22, 2018, through June 21,
2019.
Bowling Supermarket is a Latin supermarket located in Belle Glade
Florida.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Zandro E. Palma, Esq.
ZANDRO E. PALMA, P.A.
9100 S. Dadeland Blvd., Suite 1500
Miami, FL 33156
Phone: (305) 446-1500
Facsimile: (305) 446-1502
Email: zep@thepalmalawgroup.com
BRIT GLOBAL: Refuses to Cover COVID-19 Losses, Fire Island Says
---------------------------------------------------------------
FIRE ISLAND RETREAT, individually and on behalf of all others
similarly situated v. BRIT GLOBAL SPECIALTY USA, INC., and LLOYD'S
OF LONDON, Case No. 2:20-cv-02312 (E.D. Pa., May 15, 2020), alleges
that the Defendants denied claims for lost business income and
extra expenses as a result of social distancing and/or stay-at-home
orders issued in connection with the COVID-19 global pandemic.
As a result of COVID-19, the Plaintiff was forced to suspend
business operations at the bed and breakfast in March 2020. This
suspension, which is ongoing, has caused the Plaintiff to suffer
significant losses and to incur substantial expenses, says the
complaint.
The Plaintiff contends that under the Policy, the Defendants
promised to cover these losses and expenses, and are obligated to
pay for them. But in deliberate breach of their contractual
obligations, the Defendants have failed to pay for these losses and
expenses.
Joseph Scholtz was and is a sole proprietor, maintaining his bed
and breakfast business, Fire Island Retreat, at 465 Fishermans
Path, in Fire Island Pines, New York.
The Defendants are insurance underwriters, who contracted, by and
through the syndicates of which they are members, to insure the
Plaintiff's business. Lloyd's of London is an insurance market
located in London, United Kingdom. Insurance underwriters for
Lloyd's of London form syndicates to jointly price and underwrite
risk. These syndicates enter into insurance contracts on behalf of
its members, and the members share the premiums, risk and liability
on these contracts. Each Lloyd's syndicate is identified by its
syndicate number. Underwriters for Lloyd's of London known as BRIT
Syndicate No. 2987 are underwritten by Brit Global Specialty USA,
Inc., which is an Illinois corporation with its principal place of
business at 161 N. Clark Street, Suite 3200, in Chicago,
Illinois.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Dianne M. Nast, Esq.
Daniel N. Gallucci, Esq.
Joanne E. Matusko, Esq.
NAST LAW LLC
1101 Market Street, Suite 2801
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Telephone: (215) 923-9300
Facsimile: (215) 923-9302
Email: dnast@nastlaw.com
dgallucci@nastlaw.com
jmatusko@nastlaw.com
- and -
Michael L. Roberts, Esq.
ROBERTS LAW FIRM, P.A.
20 Rahling Circle
Little Rock, AR 72223
Telephone: (501) 821-5575
Facsimile: (501) 821-4474
E-mail: mikeroberts@robertslawfirm.us
BROSNAN RISK: Jones Suit Moved From Circuit Ct. to W.D. Missouri
----------------------------------------------------------------
The class action lawsuit captioned as ROGER JONES, on his own
behalf and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. BROSNAN
RISK CONSULTANTS, LTD., Case No. 2031-CC00467 (Filed April 16,
2020), was removed from the Missouri Circuit Court, Green County,
to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri on
May 16, 2020.
The Western District of Missouri Court Clerk assigned Case No.
6:20-cv-03143-SRB to the proceeding.
The Plaintiff alleges that the Defendant failed to timely pay him
and the other employees on their scheduled payday for work
performed during the pay period in excess of the applicable
overtime thresholds in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act of
1934.
Brosnan Risk is a full-service protective, investigative and
intelligence firm.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Nickolas W. Allen, Esq.
DOUGLAS, HAUN & HEIDMANN, P.C.
901 E. St. Louis St., Suite 1200
Springfield, MO 65806
Telephone: (417) 326-5261
Facsimile: (417) 326-2845
E-mail: nick@dhhlawfirm.com
The Defendant is represented by:
Matthew B. Banocy, Esq.
Corey L. Franklin, Esq.
Matthew B. Banocy, Esq.
7777 Bonhomme Avenue, Suite 1800
St. Louis, MO 63105
Telephone: (314) 257-0305
Facsimile: (314) 257-0325
E-mail: cfranklin@fordharrison.com
mbanocy@fordharrison.com
CALIFORNIA STATE: Students Sue Over Failure to Offer Fee Refunds
----------------------------------------------------------------
Zaeem Shaikh, writing for The Collegian, reports that a class
action lawsuit filed in a federal court in Los Angeles says that
the California State University system has not offered refunds to
students for fees primarily used for on-campus services that are no
longer available to students.
CSU campuses have been closed since the middle of the March due to
the COVID-19 pandemic. Fresno State transferred to virtual
instruction on March 11, and most campus offices had closed the
following week.
"CSU's decision to transition to online classes and to instruct
students to leave campus were responsible decisions to make, but it
is unfair and unlawful for CSU to retain fees and costs and to pass
the losses on to the students and/or their families," the lawsuit
said.
The campus mandatory fees addressed in the lawsuit at CSU campuses
include health facilities, health services, instructionally related
activities, materials, services and facilities, student success
fee, student association and student center.
According to the suit, depending on campus location, the annual
fees paid by CSU students for the 2019-20 academic year ranged from
$847 to $4,201.
At Fresno State, this includes a $113 health service fee, $3
facility fee, $18 student academic service fee, $132
instructionally related activities fee and $118 university student
union fee for the 2020 spring semester.
The suit also goes on to suggest that based on information about
stimulus funds for higher education, CSU will receive over $350
million.
According to the suit, many students were not eligible for the
$1,200 stimulus payment and may only receive aid from the funds
distributed to universities.
"The fact that students may receive certain taxpayer monies through
a federal stimulus plan does not entitle CSU to retain fees that
belong to plaintiff and the other class members and, indeed, these
fees must be disgorged and returned to them," the lawsuit said.
The plaintiff named in the case is Akayla Miller, a student at
Sonoma State University and a citizen of California. The lawsuit is
filed against the Board of Trustees of the California State
University, which oversees CSU's 23 campuses.
She's represented by attorneys at Cowper Law PC, DiCello Levitt
Gutzler LLC and Matthew S. Miller LLC.
"While both CSU and UC were initially responsible in closing their
campuses," said Adam Levitt, a partner at DiCello Levitt Gutzler,
and co-counsel for the plaintiffs in a press release. "It is
improper for them to attempt to retain what amounts to many
millions of dollars in aggregate in campus fees they collected from
their students, even though they terminated the services that these
fees covered."
This suit includes campuses in Bakersfield, Channel Islands, Chico,
Dominguez Hills, East Bay, Fresno, Fullerton, Humboldt, Long Beach,
Los Angeles, Maritime, Monterey Bay, Northridge, Pomona,
Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, San Luis Obispo, San Marcos,
Sonoma and Stanislaus.
This system serves more than 480,000 students in California.
Another class action lawsuit was filed in a federal court in
Oakland against the University of California system for not
refunding a prorated portion of certain student fees and costs.
Both lawsuits allege that the CSU and the UC systems are profiting
from this pandemic.
"A college education is already a monumental expense for students
and their families, and to essentially offer them no relief on
these material expenditures, particularly during a time when
millions of Americans are struggling financially, is not only
tone-deaf but unfair and unlawful," Levitt said. "Students' lives
have already been turned upside down by this crisis and the
decisions of CSU and UC only serve to exacerbate their pain." [GN]
CC&T CONSULTING: Headrick Seeks Unpaid Overtime Wages Under FLSA
----------------------------------------------------------------
Garry Headrick, Individually and For Others Similarly Situated v.
CC&T CONSULTING LLC and DIAMONDBACK E&P LLC, Case No.
5:20-cv-00454-D (W.D. Okla., May 18, 2020), seeks to recover unpaid
overtime wages and other damages from the Defendants under the Fair
Labor Standards Act.
Mr. Headrick worked for the Defendants as a Drilling Consultant
from August 2018 through August 2019. He contends that he and the
other similarly situated workers, who worked for the Defendants in
the last three years regularly worked more than 40 hours a week.
But they never received overtime pay for the hours they worked in
excess of 40 hours in a single workweek. Instead of receiving
overtime pay as required by the FLSA, the Defendants classified him
and other similarly situated workers as independent contractors and
paid them a flat amount for each day worked (a day-rate) without
overtime compensation, he alleges.
The Defendants provide services in oil and gas exploration
industry.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Gabriel A. Assaad, Esq.
MCDONALD WORLEY, PC
1770 St. James Street, Suite 100
Houston, TX 77056
Telephone: (713) 523-5500
Facsimile: (713) 523-5501
E-mail: gassaad@mcdonaldworley.com
CINTAS CORPORATE: Zambrano Seeks Reimbursement for Work Expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------
LUIS ZAMBRANO, individually, and on behalf of other aggrieved
employees v. CINTAS CORPORATE SERVICES, INC., an Ohio corporation;
CINTAS CORPORATION NO. 2, a Nevada corporation; CINTAS CORPORATION
NO. 3, a Nevada corporation; and DOES 1-50, Inclusive, Case No.
20NWCV00284 (Cal. Super., Los Angeles Cty., May 18, 2020), is
brought to recover civil penalties for violations of the California
Labor Code under the Private Attorneys General Act of 2004 seeking
reimbursement for work-related expenses.
The Plaintiff contends that the Defendants failed to indemnify
and/or reimburse him and other aggrieved employees for use of their
personal cell phone for work related matters. The Defendants
required them to use their personal cell phones for work related
communications throughout their shifts. However, the Plaintiff
says, the Defendants have not and do not reimburse employees for
the costs of this cell phone usage.
According to the complaint, the Defendants paid employees an hourly
rate. However, they failed to properly calculate the regular rate
of pay for purposes of overtime compensation. The Defendants also
failed to issue proper wage statements containing information
required by law and to pay all wages owed upon termination, the
Plaintiff alleges.
The Plaintiff was employed by the Defendants in the State of
California as a non-exempt Service Sales Representative.
Cintas designs, manufactures, and implements corporate identity
uniform programs. The Company also provides entrance mats, restroom
supplies, promotional products, document management, fire
protection, and first aid and safety services.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
James Kawahito, Esq.
KAWAHITO LAW GROUP APC
222 N. Pacific Coast Hwy., Suite 2222
El Segundo, CA 90245
Telephone: (310) 746-5300
Facsimile: (310) 593-2520
E-mail: jkawahito@kawahitolaw.com
CLEARVIEW AI: Roberson Suit Transferred From E.D. Va. to S.D.N.Y.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The class action lawsuit captioned as SHELBY ZELONIS ROBERSON,
individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v.
CLEARVIEW AI, INC., Case No. 1:20-cv-00111, was transferred from
the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia to the
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (Foley
Square) on May 13, 2020.
The Southern District of New York Court Clerk assigned Case No.
1:20-cv-03705-CM to the proceeding.
The case is assigned to the Hon. Judge Colleen McMahon. The lawsuit
demands $75,000 in damages.
Clearview AI is an American technology company that provides facial
recognition software, which they claim is marketed primarily for
law enforcement agencies.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:s
Steven T. Webster, Esq.
WEBSTER BOOK LLP
300 N Washington Street, Suite 404
Alexandria, VA 22314
Telephone: (888) 987-9991
Facsimile: (888) 987-9991
E-mail: swebster@websterbook.com
The Defendant is represented by:
Lee S. Wolosky, Esq.
JENNER & BLOCK LLP
919 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Telephone: (212)-891-1600
E-mail: lwolosky@jenner.com
CNK FOODS: Wrongfully Withholds Wages, Vasquez FLSA Suit Claims
---------------------------------------------------------------
JOEL VASQUEZ, individually and on behalf of all other employees
similarly situated v. NIMESH PATEL (AKA CHIRAN PATEL AND NICK
PATEL) and CNK FOODS INC (AKA NEW YORK SUPER DELI) jointly and
severally, Case No. 1:20-cv-02211 (E.D.N.Y., May 15, 2020), seeks
to remedy the Defendants' wrongful withholding of their lawfully
earned wages compensation under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
The Plaintiffs also brings these claims under New York Labor Law
for violations of minimum wage compensation requirements, and
failure of the Defendants to comply with notice and record-keeping
requirements.
The Plaintiff was employed by the Defendants as a Deli worker from
2010 until March 17, 2020. Throughout the course of his employment,
he worked about 10 hours per day with one day off per week. He
contends that he was never paid at an overtime rate of
one-and-one-half her regular rate of pay for the overtime hours
that he worked.
The Defendants own and operate a Deli located at 144-10 Northern
Boulevard, in the Queens area of New York.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
STILLMAN LEGAL PC
www.FightForUrRights.com
42 Broadway, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Telephone: 212 203-2417
CONTINENTAL CASUALTY: Denies COVID Loss Coverage, Hillcrest Says
----------------------------------------------------------------
HILLCREST OPTICAL, INC., a corporation, on behalf of itself and all
others in the State of Alabama similarly situated v. CONTINENTAL
CASUALTY COMPANY, Case No. 1:20-cv-00275-JB-N (S.D. Ala., May 15,
2020), alleges that the Defendants denied claims for lost business
income and extra expenses as a result of social distancing and/or
stay-at-home orders issued in connection with the COVID-19 global
pandemic.
According to the complaint, Hillcrest has suffered a substantial
loss of business income due to the shutdown, and submitted a claim
for the loss to CNA under the business-income provision of
Hillcrest's insurance policy. Hillcrest's claim was filed on or
about April 15, 2020. Hillcrest's counsel emailed CNA's claims
specialist advising that if CNA did not provide a response to
Hillcrest's claim, either accepting or denying coverage, within
five business days, "we will consider this claim denied and we will
proceed with filing a lawsuit in Federal Court." The
five-business-day period referenced in Hillcrest's counsel's email
has now expired and CNA/Continental still has not responded to
Hillcrest's claim. Accordingly, Hillcrest brings the instant
lawsuit.
On March 13, 2020, Donald J. Trump, the President of the United
States, declared the COVID-19 pandemic a National Emergency. Also
on March 13, 2020, Kay Ivey, Governor of the State of Alabama,
declared the COVID-19 pandemic a State Public Health Emergency.
Gov. Kay Ivey directed the appropriate state agencies to exercise
their statutory and regulatory authority accordingly.
Hillcrest owns and operates an optometrist's office in Mobile,
Alabama.
Continental issued Hillcrest a commercial property insurance
policy, with a policy period of May 1, 2019, to May 1, 2020,
bearing policy number B 4030650931.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Richard H. Taylor, Esq.
W. Lloyd Copeland, Esq.
Steven A. Martino, Esq.
TAYLOR MARTINO, P.C.
P.O. Box 894
Mobile, AL 36601
Telephone: (251) 433-3131
Facsimile: (251) 433-4207
E-mail: richard@taylormartino.com
lloyd@taylormartino.com
stevemartino@taylormartino.com
The Defendant is represented by:
John W. "Don" Barrett, Esq.
BARRETT LAW GROUP, P.A.
404 Court Square North
Lexington, MS
Telephone: (662) 834-9168
Facsimile: (662) 834-2628
E-mail: donbarrettpa@gmail.com
CONTINENTAL PRODUCTION: Workers Seek to Recover Unpaid OT, Min. Pay
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Idell Bell and Rashard Tatum, individually and on behalf of all
others similarly situated, Plaintiffs, v. Continental Production
Services, Inc. and Craig Corbell, Defendants, Case No. 20-cv-01654
(S.D. Tex., May 12, 2020), seeks to recover overtime compensation
for all unpaid hours worked in excess of forty hours in any
workweek at the rate of one-and-one-half times their regular rates,
liquidated damages, reasonable attorneys' fees, expert fees, costs
and expenses of this action, prejudgment and post-judgment interest
and such other relief pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Bell and Tatum are construction crew members for Continental's
project at a solar farm in Wimauma, Florida. They would work more
than 40 hours per work week, without being paid overtime
compensation and applicable minimum wages, asserts the complaint.
[BN]
Plaintiff is represented by:
Chris R. Miltenberger, Esq.
THE LAW OFFICE OF CHRIS R. MILTENBERGER, PLLC
1340 N. White Chapel, Suite 100
Southlake, TX 76092-4322
Tel: (817) 416-5060
Fax: (817) 416-5062
Email: chris@crmlawpractice.com
- and -
Amanda E. Heystek, Esq.
Brandon Hill, Esq.
WENZEL, FENTON AND CABASSA PA
1110 North Florida Ave., Suite 300
Tampa, FL 33602
Telephone: (813) 224-0431, 337-7992
Facsimile: (813) 229-8712
Email: aheystek@wfclaw.com
jcornell@wfclaw.com
bhill@wfclaw.com
CONTINENTAL WESTERN: Refuses to Pay Covid-19 Claims, RPR Alleges
----------------------------------------------------------------
RPR Enterprises, Inc., d/b/a Topsy's Popcorn & Ice Cream, Topsy's
International, Inc., RammKerr, Inc., and Big Top, LLC d/b/a
Brookside Party Warehouse, Individually and on behalf of all others
similarly situated v. CONTINENTAL WESTERN GROUP, LLC, and UNION
INSURANCE COMPANY, Case No. 2:20-cv-02256-JWB-GEB (D. Kan., May 22,
2020), alleges breach of contract arising from the Defendants'
refusal to pay claims related to COVID-19 as required by their
property insurance agreements they sold to the Plaintiffs and other
businesses.
The Plaintiffs purchased an all-risk commercial property insurance
policy from the Defendants to protect them in the event of property
loss and business interruption. COVID-19 and the resulting response
by state and local governments have caused physical loss of the
Plaintiffs' property and have interrupted the Plaintiffs' business.
Yet, as of this date the Defendants have refused to honor their
promise to provide the protection that the Plaintiffs purchased,
the Plaintiffs assert.
Moreover, according to the complaint, the Plaintiffs are not
unique. The insurance industry appears to be taking a uniform
approach to the current pandemic: deny coverage even when the
policy they drafted and offered to insureds, and the policy paid
for by the insureds, does not contain an exclusion for pandemic- or
virus-related losses. The Plaintiffs' policy with the Defendants is
one such policy and exemplifies the broken promise from insurance
companies across the country.
Plaintiffs RPR Enterprises and Rammker, Inc., operate more than a
dozen Topsy's Popcorn and Ice Cream shops in Missouri and Kansas,
including locations in shopping centers and strip malls, as well as
a distribution center for fulfilling online orders.
Continental Western Group, LLC is a Delaware limited liability
company, with its principal place of business in Des Moines,
Iowa.[BN]
The Plaintiffs are represented by:
Patrick J. Stueve, Esq.
Bradley T. Wilders, Esq.
Curtis Shank, Esq.
STUEVE SIEGEL HANSON LLP
460 Nichols Road, Suite 200
Kansas City, MO 64112
Phone: (816) 714-7100
Email: stueve@stuevesiegel.com
wilders@stuevesiegel.com
shank@stuevesiegel.com
- and -
J. Kent Emison, Esq.
LANGDON & EMISON LLC
911 Main Street
PO Box 220
Lexington, MO 64067
Phone: (660) 259-6175
Fax: (660) 259-4571
Email: kent@lelaw.com
- and -
John J. Schirger, Esq.
Matthew W. Lytle, Esq.
Joseph M. Feierabend, Esq.
MILLER SCHIRGER, LLC
4520 Main Street, Suite 1570
Kansas City, MO 64111
Phone: 816-561-6500
Facsimile: 816-561-6501
Email: jschirger@millerschirger.com
mlytle@millerschirger.com
jfeierabend@millerschirger.com
- and -
Richard F. Lombardo, Esq.
Dawn M. Parsons, Esq.
Michael F. Barzee, Esq.
Rachael D. Longhofer, Esq.
SHAFFER LOMBARDO SHURIN, P.C.
2001 Wyandotte Street
Kansas City, MO 64108
Phone: 816-931-0500
Fax: 816-931-5775
Email: rlombardo@sls-law.com
dparsons@sls-law.com
mbarzee@sls-law.com
rlonghofer@sls-law.com
CORECIVIC INC: Denial of Bid to Dismiss Barrientos Suit Upheld
--------------------------------------------------------------
In the case, WILHEN HILL BARRIENTOS, individually and on behalf of
all others similarly situated, MARGARITO VELAZQUEZ-GALICIA,
individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, SHOAIB
AHMED, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated,
Plaintiffs-Appellees, v. CORECIVIC, INC., Defendant-Appellant, Case
No. 18-15081 (11th Cir.), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
Eleventh Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of
CoreCivic's motion to dismiss the Appellees' complaint.
Appellees Barrientos, Margarito Velazquez-Galicia, and Shoaib
Ahmed, current and former alien detainees, brought a class action
lawsuit against Appellant CoreCivic, a private contractor, which
owns and operates the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia.
Stewart is a federal immigration detention facility where aliens
are held during the pendency of removal proceedings or for other
reasons related to enforcement of the nation's immigration laws.
At Stewart, CoreCivic, as a private contractor, is required to
operate what is referred to as a "voluntary work program," through
which detainees may perform work for compensation.
The complaint alleged that, far from operating a "voluntary" work
program, CoreCivic coerces alien detainees to perform labor at
Stewart by, inter alia, the use or threatened use of serious harm,
criminal prosecution, solitary confinement, and the withholding of
basic necessities. The complaint asserted that CoreCivic's labor
scheme violated, and continues to violate, the forced-labor
prohibition in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act ("TVPA"), and
Georgia law. The TVPA subjects to criminal and civil liability
whoever knowingly obtains the labor or services of a "person" by
any one of the prohibited coercive means explicitly listed in the
TVPA.
CoreCivic moved to dismiss the complaint, contending that the TVPA
does not apply to a private government contractor or cover labor
performed in work programs by alien detainees in lawful custody of
the U.S. government. Although it denied the motion, the district
court certified for immediate appeal the narrow, purely legal
question of whether the TVPA applies to work programs in federal
immigration detention facilities operated by private for-profit
contractors. The Appellate Court granted CoreCivic's petition for
permission to immediately appeal the district court's order.
The question certified by the district court concerns the TVPA and
work programs in federal immigration detention facilities. The
Eleventh Circuit reviews the TVPA, the relevant work programs, and
then the district court proceedings.
The Eleventh Circuit finds that the mere fact that CoreCivic -- or
any other private government contractor -- is operating a work
program at the behest of the federal government does not, in and of
itself, shield CoreCivic from liability under the TVPA if it in
fact obtains the forced labor of program participants through the
illegal coercive means explicitly proscribed by the TVPA. The
plain language of the TVPA brings within its scope for-profit
government contractors operating work programs in federal
immigration detention facilities, and such entities are not
categorically excluded or shielded from liability under the TVPA.
The Eleventh Circuit does not find a private government
contractor's obtaining forced labor through actual or threatened
force, restraint, or serious harm to be so far removed from the
purpose Congress identified as to cause us to look beyond the plain
statutory language. Just because Congress may have had in mind a
particular narrow objective --in the case, combatting human
trafficking -- does not on its own justify a departure from the
principle that one should give general terms their general
meaning.
The Eleventh Circuit is also not persuaded by CoreCivic's resort to
Supreme Court decisions it claims counsel against adopting a
construction of a criminal statute, like the TVPA, that may lead to
results disconnected from Congress's purpose. The Appellate Court
sees no reason to read the limiting principle into the statute.
Congress wrote these statute plainly, and it is up to Congress, not
the Appellate Court, to rewrite it.
The Eleventh Circuit further notes that, while none of the sister
circuits has addressed the specific application of the TVPA now
before the Court, they have found Section 1589 applicable outside
the core human-trafficking context to which CoreCivic would
apparently have the Court limit the statute's reach. To clarify,
the Appellate Court is not approving the specific holdings or
analyses in these decisions, but cite them to show that federal
courts have concluded that Section 1589 is not limited to cases of
overt human trafficking.
After review, and with the benefit of oral argument, the Eleventh
Circuit concludes that: (1) under the plain language of the
statute, the TVPA covers the conduct of private contractors
operating federal immigration detention facilities; (2) the TVPA
does not bar private contractors from operating the sort of
voluntary work programs generally authorized under federal law for
aliens held in immigration detention facilities; but (3) private
contractors that operate such work programs are not categorically
excluded from the TVPA and may be liable if they knowingly obtain
or procure the labor or services of a program participant through
the illegal coercive means explicitly listed in the TVPA.
Because its review is limited to the legal question of the TVPA's
applicability to private contractors operating federal immigration
detention facilities, the Eleventh Circuit does not at this time
address whether the factual allegations in the complaint are
sufficient to state a TVPA claim.
For these reasons, the Eleventh Circuit upheld the district court's
denial of CoreCivic's motion to dismiss the Appellees' complaint.
A full-text copy of the Appellate Court's Feb. 28, 2020 Opinion is
available at https://is.gd/q4p0yL from Leagle.com.
Alvin Francis Lindsay, III -- alvin.lindsay@hoganlovells.com -- for
Defendant-Appellant.
Stephen E. Curry, for Defendant-Appellant.
Azadeh N. Shahshahani, for Plaintiff-Appellee.
Daniel Werner, for Plaintiff-Appellee.
Meredith Blake Stewart -- Meredith.Stewart@jacksonlewis.com -- for
Plaintiff-Appellee.
Warren Tavares Burns -- wburns@burnscharest.com -- for
Plaintiff-Appellee.
Robert Andrew Free -- andrew@immigrantcivilrights.com -- for
Plaintiff-Appellee.
Daniel P. Struck -- dstruck@strucklove.com -- for
Defendant-Appellant.
Nicholas D. Acedo -- nacedo@strucklove.com -- for
Defendant-Appellant.
D'AHT WORLD: Wrongfully Withholds Earned Wages, Cabrera Suit Says
-----------------------------------------------------------------
WENDY CABRERA, NANCY PAVIA individually and on behalf of all other
employees similarly situated v. JOHN H. LEE and D'AHT WORLD, INC
(DBA AS SHEEC) jointly and severally, Case No. 1:20-cv-02213
(E.D.N.Y., May 16, 2020), seeks to remedy the Defendants' wrongful
withholding of their lawfully earned wages compensation under the
Fair Labor Standards Act.
The Plaintiffs also brings these claims under New York Labor Law
for violations of minimum wage compensation requirements, and
failure of the Defendants to comply with notice and record-keeping
requirements.
The Plaintiffs contend that they were dismissed when they asked to
be paid minimum wage. As a result of the Defendants' actions, of
not paying at least minimum wage, they suffered great hardship and
damages.
The Plaintiffs were employed by the Defendants as factory workers.
Ms. Pavia was employed from 2018 until April 2020. Ms. Cabrera was
employed from October 2018 until November 2019.
D'aht World is an international trading and distribution
company.[BN]
The Plaintiffs are represented by:
STILLMAN LEGAL PC
42 Broadway, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Telephone: 212 203-2417
DAVITA INC: Response to Class Certification Bid Due June 29
-----------------------------------------------------------
In the case, Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund of Georgia v.
DaVita Inc. et al., Case No. 1:17-cv-00304 (D. Colo.), Defendants
DaVita Inc., James K. Hilger, Javier J Rodriguez, Kent J. Thiry
have urged the District Court to reconsider its order denying their
motion to dismiss the case. On May 1, 2020, the Defendants filed a
brief in support of their amended motion for reconsideration.
In a March 26, 2020 Order, Judge William J. Martinez granted the
case parties' Second Joint Motion for Extension of Time for
Briefing on (I) Plaintiffs' Motion for Class Certification and (II)
Defendants' Amended Motion for Pretrial Reconsideration.
The Court held that the Defendants' Response to the Class
Certification Motion must be filed on or before June 29, 2020.
Lead Plaintiffs' Reply in Further Support of Class Certification
must be filed on or before August 7, 2020.
Lead Plaintiffs' Opposition to the Amended Motion for Partial
Reconsideration was due April 10. Defendants' Reply in Further
Support of the Amended Motion for Partial Reconsideration was due
May 1.
To the extent any party in the future seeks any further extension
of these or any other pretrial deadline based in whole or in part
on claimed disruptions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the
Court will only consider such requests upon a showing that the
pertinent parties and counsel have already made meaningful and
significant efforts to schedule depositions, client meetings,
meetings of counsel, and the like, via videoconference or
telephonic means, in order to avoid further delays in this
litigation, Judge Martinez said.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Judge N. Reid Neureiter entered a Minute
Order on March 26, setting the following milestones:
Discovery due by September 18, 2020.
Dispositive Motions due by November 13, 2020.
Magistrate Judge Neureiter said the Final Pretrial Conference is
vacated and reset to March 3, 2021.
DaVita Inc. said in its Form 10-Q Report filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on May 5, 2020, for the quarterly period
ended March 31, 2020, that on February 1, 2017, the Peace Officers'
Annuity and Benefit Fund of Georgia filed a putative federal
securities class action complaint in the U.S. District Court for
the District of Colorado against the Company and certain
executives.
The complaint covers the time period of August 2015 to October 2016
and alleges, generally, that the Company and its executives
violated federal securities laws concerning the Company's financial
results and revenue derived from patients who received charitable
premium assistance from an industry-funded non-profit organization.
The complaint further alleges that the process by which patients
obtained commercial insurance and received charitable premium
assistance was improper and "created a false impression of DaVita's
business and operational status and future growth prospects."
In November 2017, the court appointed the lead plaintiff and an
amended complaint was filed on January 12, 2018. On March 27, 2018,
the Company and various individual defendants filed a motion to
dismiss.
On March 28, 2019, the U.S. District Court for the District of
Colorado denied the motion to dismiss. The Company answered the
complaint on May 28, 2019.
On January 31, 2020, the plaintiffs filed a motion for class
certification that the Company said it would oppose.
The Company disputes these allegations and intends to defend this
action accordingly.
DaVita Inc. provides kidney dialysis services for patients
suffering from chronic kidney failure or end stage renal disease
(ESRD). The company operates kidney dialysis centers and provides
related lab services in outpatient dialysis centers. The company
was formerly known as DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc. and changed
its name to DaVita Inc. in September 2016. DaVita Inc. was founded
in 1994 and is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.
EL CHURRASCO GRILL: Mateo Sues Over Half-Time Unpaid OT Wages
-------------------------------------------------------------
Leticia C. Mateo, and other similarly situated individuals v. EL
CHURRASCO GRILL, LLC, EVER SANTIZO GONZALEZ, individually, Case No.
2:20-cv-14163-XXXX (S.D. Fla., May 25, 2020), is brought to recover
money damages for half-time unpaid overtime wages, under the Fair
Labor Standards Act.
While employed by the Defendants, the Plaintiff always worked more
than 40 hours in a week period. The Plaintiff was paid for all her
hours at her regular rate, but she did not receive payment for
overtime hours as established by the FLSA, according to the
complaint. The Plaintiff clocked in and out, and the Defendants
were able to keep track of the hours worked by the Plaintiff.
Therefore, the Defendants willfully failed to pay the Plaintiff
overtime hours at the rate of time and one-half her regular rate
for every hour that he worked in excess of 40, in violation of the
FLSA.
The Plaintiff was employed by the Defendants as a cook and
restaurant employee from October 01, 2017, to April 20, 2020.
El Churrasco Grill is a Guatemalan restaurant located in
Indiantown, Florida.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Zandro E. Palma, Esq.
ZANDRO E. PALMA, P.A.
9100 S. Dadeland Blvd., Suite 1500
Miami, FL 33156
Phone: (305) 446-1500
Facsimile: (305) 446-1502
Email: zep@thepalmalawgroup.com
EMULEX CORP: Varjabedian Securities Suit Dismissed with Prejudice
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Judge Cormac J. Carney of the U.S. District Court for the Central
District of California, Southern Division, dismissed with prejudice
Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint in the case, GARY VARJABEDIAN,
on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, Plaintiff,
v. EMULEX CORPORATION, et al., Defendants, Case No. SACV
15-00554-CJC (JCGx) (C.D. Cal.).
The Defendants include Emulex, Emerald Merger Sub, Inc., and 10
former members of Emulex's Board and management.
The case alleged violations of securities laws.
A full-text copy of the District Court's Feb. 25, 2020 Judgment is
available at https://is.gd/7XmDPF from Leagle.com.
Juan E. Monteverde -- jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com -- (argued),
Monteverde & Associates PC, New York, New York; Barbara A. Rohr -
- brohr@faruqilaw.com -- Faruqi & Faruqi LLP, Los Angeles,
California; for Plaintiff-Appellant.
Eric N. Landau -- elandau@jonesday.com -- (argued), and Travis
Biffar -- tbiffar@jonesday.com -- Jones Day, Irvine, California;
Erica L. Reilley -- matt.rawlinson@lw.com -- Jones Day, Los
Angeles, California; for Defendants-Appellees Emulex Corporation,
Bruce C. Edwards, Jeffrey W. Benck, Gregory S. Clark, Gary J.
Daichendt, Paul F. Folino, Beatriz V. Infante, John A. Kelley,
Rahul N. Merchant, Nersi Nazari, and Dean A. Yoost.
Matthew Rawlinson -- matt.rawlinson@lw.com -- (argued) and Hilary
Mattis -- hilary.mattis@lw.com -- Latham & Watkins LLP, Menlo
Park, California; for Defendants-Appellees Avago Technologies
Wireless (USA) Manufacturing, Inc.; Emerald Merger Sub, Inc.
EUPHORIA WELLNESS: Jackson Sues Over Automated Marketing Texts
--------------------------------------------------------------
JACQUELINE JACKSON, individually and on behalf of all others
similarly situated v. EUPHORIA WELLNESS, LLC, Case No. (May 15,
2020), alleges that the Defendant promotes and markets its
merchandise, in part, by sending automated telemarketing text
messages to wireless phone users, in violation of the Telephone
Consumer Protection Act.
The Plaintiff contends that at no time did she provide her cellular
number to the Defendant through any medium, nor did she consent to
receive such unsolicited text messages.
Euphoria Wellness is a cannabis dispensary in New Market,
Maryland.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Seth M. Lehrman, Esq.
EDWARDS POTTINGER LLC
425 North Andrews Avenue, Suite 2
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Telephone: 954-524-2820
Facsimile: 954-524-2822
E-mail: seth@epllc.com
FADA GROUP: Lin Suit Seeks Minimum and OT Pay Under FLSA & NJWHL
----------------------------------------------------------------
MINSHOU LIN, and HUOTAI LUO, on their own behalf and on behalf of
others similarly situate v. FADA GROUP INC d/b/a Sogo and; MARK
HUO, and JUN LI, Case No. 2:20-cv-05942-JMV-JBC (May 15, 2020), is
brought under the Fair Labor Standards Act and New Jersey Wage and
Hour Law arising from the Defendants' alleged various unlawful
employment policies, patterns and practices.
The Plaintiffs contend that the Defendants failed to pay their
employees, including the Plaintiffs, minimum wage for each hour
worked and overtime compensation for all hours worked over 40 each
workweek. The Plaintiffs assert that pursuant to the FLSA, they are
entitled to recover from the Defendants unpaid overtime wages,
liquidated damages, prejudgment and post-judgment interest and or
attorney's fees and cost.
The Plaintiffs were employed by the Defendants in Sogo located at
248 Route 46 West, in Denville, New Jersey. Mr. Lin was employed as
a Fry Wok Chef and driver from July 5, 2008, to March 4, 2020.
Mr. Luo was employed from September 20, 2011, to March 04, 2020.
The Defendants own and operate a food service-related usiness.[BN]
The Plaintiffs are represented by:
Aaron Schweitzer, Esq.
John Troy, Esq.
TROY LAW, PLLC
41-25 Kissena Boulevard, Suite 103
Flushing, NY 11355
Telephone: (718) 762-1324
FITZCON EXCAVATION: Lema Sues Over Failure to Pay Overtime Wages
----------------------------------------------------------------
Carlos Lema, individually and on behalf of all others similarly
situated v. FITZCON EXCAVATION INC, PUB CONSTRUCTION/REN INC., ESCO
HIRF CO INC., RONAN FITZPATRICK, CONNIE O'SULLIVAN, and LIAM
O'SULLIVAN, Case No. 1:20-cv-02311 (E.D.N.Y., May 22, 2020),
accuses the Defendants of violating the Fair Labor Standards Act of
1938 and the New York Labor Law by willfully failing to pay the
Plaintiff overtime compensation, and to provide with required
payroll notices and wage statements.
The Plaintiff was a non-exempt employee pursuant to the FLSA and
the NYLL, and was entitled to overtime compensation, according to
the complaint. However, despite routinely working more than 40
hours per week, the Plaintiff was not paid overtime compensation of
one and one-half times his regular hourly rate of pay for all hours
he worked over 40 per week. The Defendants also failed to furnish
to the Plaintiff, at the time he was hired or at any time
thereafter, a notice containing his rate of pay, the designated
payday, or other information required by NYLL.
The Plaintiff worked solely as a laborer from the start of his
employment until May 2015 and held the role of worksite manager in
addition to his role as a laborer in June 2015 until December
2016.
Fitzcon, Pub Construction, and Esco Hirf are contractors that
provide construction services in the Greater New York Area.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Nicola Ciliotta, Esq.
KATZ MELINGER PLLC
280 Madison Avenue, Suite 600
New York, NY 10016
Phone: (212) 460-0047
Facsimile: (212) 428-6811
Email: nciliotta@katzmelinger.com
FLIGHT CENTRE: Changes Cancellation Cap Amid Class Action Threat
----------------------------------------------------------------
Travel Weekly reports that hundreds of people had reportedly put
their hand up to participate in a class action against travel giant
Flight Centre over cancellation fees that saw some customers entire
refund disappear, while some groups were given the option of paying
thousands or transferring their booking to a travel credit.
Previously, Flight Centre's cancellation fee cap was set at $300
per person on international trips and $50 per person on domestic
trips.
Under the new policy, customers will be charged at a cap of $600
all up on international bookings and $100 per booking on domestic
trips. If the client chooses to keep the money as a credit with
Flight Centre, it will be valid until at least 31 December 2021.
According to Traveller, customers were also anxious about a 12-week
delay for refund payments. However, the company told customers in a
letter that airlines were to blame for the delay
-- not travel agents.
Travel Weekly has contacted Flight Centre for comment.
Meanwhile, a woman from the UK threatened to sit in her travel
agent's window in a swimsuit if she did not receive a refund.
The Oxford Mail reported that Lorraine Willmore had posted to
Facebook threatening that if she has not received a refund by the
time TUI in Witney reopened, she would sit in their shop window
until she gets one.
She said she would also go into the store with cocktails and a CD
player, wearing a sombrero and flip flops.
Willmore claims she has been waiting for a refund for several
weeks. [GN]
FLOWCO PRODUCTION: Keating Seeks OT Pay for Field Technicians
-------------------------------------------------------------
Dean Keating, individually and on behalf of all those similarly
situated v. Flowco Production Solutions, LLC, Case No.
7:20-cv-00122 (W.D. Tex., May 18, 2020), seeks to recover overtime
pay pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act and New Mexico Minimum
Wage Act.
The Defendant employed the Plaintiff and other Class Members as Gas
Lift Field Technicians whose primary job duties involved manual
labor tasks in the oil field.
The Class Members consist of the Defendant's current and former
Field Technicians, who were paid on a salary basis and a day rate,
who worked more than 40 hours in one or more workweek over the
previous three years but were not paid overtime.
Flowco is a leading provider of plunger lift and gas lift equipment
to the oil and gas industry.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Chris R. Miltenberger, Esq.
THE LAW OFFICE OF CHRIS R. MILTENBERGER, PLLC
1360 N. White Chapel, Suite 200
Southlake, TX 76092-4322
Telephone: 817-416-5060
Facsimile: 817-416-5062
E-mail: chris@crmlawpractice.com
FOOD BAZAAR: Alvarez-Gutierrez Suit Seeks Unpaid Overtime Pay
-------------------------------------------------------------
Edgar Ronaldo Alvarez-Gutierrez, individually and on behalf of all
others similarly situated, Plaintiff, v. Food Bazaar International,
Inc., Defendant, Case No. 20-cv-60945, (S.D. Fla., May 6, 2020),
seeks monetary damages, liquidated damages, prejudgment interest,
civil penalties and costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees
under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Food Bazaar International is engaged in the sale of produce, dairy
items, canned and packaged food, meat products, cleaning products,
ornamental flowers and other associated items to households and
commercial businesses in Broward County where Gutierrez worked as a
non-exempt worker. He claims that he was not paid overtime for all
hours worked over 40 in an individual workweek. [BN]
Plaintiff is represented by:
Sergio R. Casiano, Esq.
MKRS LAW, PL
201 Alhambra Circle, Suite 802
Coral Gables, FL 33134
Tel. (305) 446-5228
Fax. (305) 446-7110
Email: sergioc@mkrs.com
- and -
C. Mitchell Barrenechea, Esq.
MITCHELL BARRENCHEA, P.A.
333 Las Olas Way, CU#327
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Tel. (954) 281-7220
Fax: (954) 337-3224
Email: mitchell@mb-attorney.com
FRONERI US: Falsely Sells Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream Bars, Sencen Says
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Theresa Sencen, individually and on behalf of all others similarly
situated v. Froneri US, Inc., Case No. 7:20-cv-04024 (S.D.N.Y., May
24, 2020), seeks damages and an injunction to stop the Defendant's
false and misleading marketing practices with regards to its ice
cream bars purporting to be dipped in milk chocolate under the
Haagen-Dazs brand.
The relevant front label representations include "Haagen-Dazs,"
"Milk Chocolate," "Vanilla ice cream dipped in, then drizzled in
rich milk chocolate," a piece of chocolate and the Product. The
Plaintiff contends that the representations are misleading because
although the Product is represented as milk chocolate, it actually
contains the one ingredient, which is prohibited in real
chocolate--vegetable oils.
The Defendant's branding and packaging of the Product is designed
to--and does--deceive, mislead, and defraud plaintiff and
consumers, according to the complaint. The Defendant sold more of
the Product and at higher prices than it would have in the absence
of this misconduct, resulting in additional profits at the expense
of consumers like the Plaintiff. The value of the Product that
plaintiff purchased and consumed was materially less than its value
as represented by the Defendant.
Had the Plaintiff and class members known the truth, they would not
have bought the Product or would have paid less for them, the
Plaintiff asserts. As a result of the false and misleading
labeling, the Product is sold at a premium price, approximately no
less than $6.49 for three 3 OZ bars, excluding tax, compared to
other similar products represented in a non-misleading way, 3 OZ
bars, individually and in packages of three, says the complaint.
The Plaintiff purchased the Product within her district and/or
State for personal consumption.
The Defendant is the world's largest ice cream conglomerate,
representing the biggest manufacturers in Europe, Latin America and
the United States.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Spencer Sheehan, Esq.
SHEEHAN & ASSOCIATES, P.C.
505 Northern Blvd., Suite 311
Great Neck, NY 11021
Phone: (516) 303-0552
Facsimile: (516) 234-7800
Email: spencer@spencersheehan.com
GALENOS MEDICAL: Hernandez Sues to Recover Unpaid Overtime Wages
----------------------------------------------------------------
Julio Lee Hernandez, and other similarly situated individuals v.
GALENOS MEDICAL CENTER CORP. and MARIA C. ELOY, individually, Case
No. 1:20-cv-22162-XXXX (S.D. Fla., May 25, 2020), is brought to
recover money damages for unpaid overtime wages under the Fair
Labor Standards Act.
According to the complaint, the Plaintiff was paid for 40 regular
hours, plus 2.5 overtime hours at the correct overtime rate.
Nevertheless, the Plaintiff was not paid for all his overtime hours
as required by the FLSA. The Plaintiff did not clock in and out,
but the Defendants were in complete control of the Plaintiff's
working hours, and they were able to keep track of the hours worked
by the Plaintiff. Therefore, the Defendants willfully failed to pay
Plaintiff overtime hours at the rate of time and one-half his
regular rate for every hour that he worked in excess of 40, in
violation of the FLSA.
The Plaintiff was employed by the Defendants as a non-exempt local
driver from November 14, 2018, to April 22, 2020.
Galenos Medical Center is a medical center that provides a complete
range of medical services including transportation services.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Zandro E. Palma, Esq.
ZANDRO E. PALMA, P.A.
9100 S. Dadeland Blvd., Suite 1500
Miami, FL 33156
Phone: (305) 446-1500
Facsimile: (305) 446-1502
Email: zep@thepalmalawgroup.com
GENERAL MOTORS: Faces Holguin Suit Over Corvettes' Wheel Defect
---------------------------------------------------------------
ERNEST HOLGUIN, DAVID GOLDBERG, JAMES KALKSTEIN, ROBERT SMITH, and
CAROLE SMITH, individually and on behalf of all others similarly
situated v. GENERAL MOTORS, LLC, Case No. 1:20-cv-00615-UNA (D.
Del., May 18, 2020), is brought on behalf of the Plaintiffs an all
persons in the United States, who purchased or leased any 2015 to
present Chevrolet Corvette Z06 or 2017 to present Chevrolet
Corvette Grand Sport vehicle designed, manufactured, marketed,
distributed, sold, warranted, and/or serviced by General Motors
LLC.
According to the complaint, the Class Vehicles are equipped with
wheels (a.k.a., rims) that are prone to bending and cracking,
without impact damage, and which necessitate costly repairs and
replacements. In addition, cracked rims can puncture the tires,
causing air leaks and tire blowouts (Wheel Defect).
The lawsuit is a consumer class action concerning a failure to
disclose material facts and a safety concern to consumers. The
Plaintiffs contend the General Motors manufactured, marketed,
distributed, and sold the Class Vehicles without disclosing that
the Class Vehicles' wheels were defective in design or material.
General Motors is an American multinational corporation
headquartered in Detroit that designs, manufactures, markets, and
distributes vehicles and vehicle parts, and sells financial
services, with global headquarters in Detroit's Renaissance
Center.[BN]
The Plaintiffs are represented by:
Russell D. Paul, Esq.
Amey J. Park, Esq.
BERGER MONTAGUE PC
1818 Market Street, Suite 3600
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Telephone: (215) 875-3000
Facsimile: (215) 875-4604
E-mail: rpaul@bm.net
apark@bm.net
- and -
Steven R. Weinmann, Esq.
Tarek H. Zohdy, Esq.
Cody R. Padgett, Esq.
Trisha K. Monesi, Esq.
CAPSTONE LAW APC
1875 Century Park East, Suite 1000
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Telephone: (310) 556-4811
Facsimile: (310) 943-0396
E-mail: Steven.Weinmann@capstonelawyers.com
Tarek.Zohdy@capstonelawyers.com
Cody.Padgett@capstonelawyers.com
Trisha.Monesi@capstonelawyers.com
GENERAL MOTORS: Jefferson Sues Over Shifter Defect in Acadia Cars
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Rilla Jefferson and Mark Riley, on behalf of themselves and all
others similarly situated v. General Motors LLC, Case No.
3:20-cv-11213-RHC-MJH (E.D. Mich., May 15, 2020), is brought under
the Magnuson-Moss Warrant Act on behalf of the Plaintiffs and a
proposed class of past and present Tennessee and Ohio owners and
lessees of defective 2017-2018 GMC Acadia vehicles designed,
manufactured, marketed, distributed, sold, warranted, and serviced
by General Motors LLC.
According to the complaint, the Class Vehicles contain a defect
whereby the vehicles fail to detect that the driver placed the car
in "Park" and prevents the vehicle driver from shutting off and
locking the vehicle. Instead, the Class Vehicles display a "Shift
to Park" message on the instrument cluster even though the gear
shifter is already in "Park" (Shifter Defect).
As a result of this Shifter Defect, the Plaintiffs and members of
the Class are unable to shut off their vehicles and, to avoid
battery discharge, are forced to resort to all sort of gimmicks to
get their vehicles to detect that the shift lever is in fact in
"Park."
The Plaintiffs contend that GM's conduct is in breach of contract,
in breach of express and implied warranties, and in breach of the
Magnuson-Moss Warrant Act.
General Motors is an American multinational corporation
headquartered in Detroit that designs, manufactures, markets, and
distributes vehicles and vehicle parts, and sells financial
services, with global headquarters in Detroit's Renaissance
Center.[BN]
The Plaintiffs are represented by:
Sergei Lemberg, Esq.
LEMBERG LAW
43 Danbury Road
Wilton, CT 06897
Telephone: (203) 653-2250
Facsimile: (203) 653-3424
E-mail: slemberg@lemberglaw.com
GENWORTH FINANCIAL: Awaits 11th Cir. Decision in TVPX ARX Suit
--------------------------------------------------------------
Genworth Financial, Inc. said in its Form 10-Q Report filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 2020, for the
quarterly period ended March 31, 2020, that the plaintiff's appeal
and the company's cross-appeal from a trial court decision in the
class action suit entitled, TVPX ARX INC., as Securities
Intermediary for Consolidated Wealth Management, LTD. on behalf of
itself and all others similarly situated v. Genworth Life and
Annuity Insurance Company, is pending.
In September 2018, Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance Company
("GLAIC"), the company's indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, was
named as a defendant in a putative class action lawsuit pending in
the United States District Court for the Eastern District of
Virginia captioned TVPX ARX INC., as Securities Intermediary for
Consolidated Wealth Management, LTD. on behalf of itself and all
others similarly situated v. Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance
Company.
Plaintiff alleges unlawful and excessive cost of insurance charges
were imposed on policyholders.
The complaint asserts claims for breach of contract, alleging that
Genworth improperly considered non-mortality factors when
calculating cost of insurance rates and failed to decrease cost of
insurance charges in light of improved expectations of future
mortality, and seeks unspecified compensatory damages, costs, and
equitable relief.
On October 29, 2018, the company filed a motion to enjoin the case
in the Middle District of Georgia, and a motion to dismiss and
motion to stay in the Eastern District of Virginia. The company
moved to enjoin the prosecution of the Eastern District of Virginia
action on the basis that it involves claims released in a prior
nationwide class action settlement that was approved by the Middle
District of Georgia. Plaintiff filed an amended complaint on
November 13, 2018.
On December 6, 2018, the company moved the Middle District of
Georgia for leave to file its counterclaim, which alleges that
plaintiff breached the covenant not to sue contained in the prior
settlement agreement by filing its current action. On March 15,
2019, the Middle District of Georgia granted the company's motion
to enjoin and denied its motion for leave to file its counterclaim.
As such, plaintiff is enjoined from pursuing its class action in
the Eastern District of Virginia.
On March 29, 2019, plaintiff filed a notice of appeal in the Middle
District of Georgia, notifying the Court of its appeal to the
United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit from the
order granting our motion to enjoin.
On March 29, 2019, the company filed its notice of cross-appeal in
the Middle District of Georgia, notifying the Court of its
cross-appeal to the Eleventh Circuit from the portion of the order
denying its motion for leave to file its counterclaim.
On April 8, 2019, the Eastern District of Virginia dismissed the
case without prejudice, with leave for plaintiff to refile an
amended complaint only if a final appellate Court decision vacates
the injunction and reverses the Middle District of Georgia's
opinion. On May 21, 2019, plaintiff filed its appeal and memorandum
in support in the Eleventh Circuit.
The company filed its response to plaintiff's appeal memorandum on
July 3, 2019. The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral
argument on plaintiff's appeal and the company's cross-appeal on
April 21, 2020.
Genworth said, "We intend to continue to vigorously defend the
dismissal of this action."
Genworth Financial, Inc. provides insurance and homeownership
solutions in the United States and internationally. It operates
through five segments: U.S. Mortgage Insurance, Canada Mortgage
Insurance, Australia Mortgage Insurance, U.S. Life Insurance, and
Runoff. Genworth Financial, Inc. was founded in 1871 and is
headquartered in Richmond, Virginia.
GENWORTH FINANCIAL: Brighton Trustees Sues GLAIC over COI Hike
--------------------------------------------------------------
Genworth Financial, Inc. said in its Form 10-Q Report filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 2020, for the
quarterly period ended March 31, 2020, that Genworth Life and
Annuity Insurance Company (GLAIC), a company subsidiary, has been
named as a defendant in a putative class action suit entitled,
Brighton Trustees, LLC, on behalf of and as trustee for Diamond LS
Trust; and Bank of Utah, solely as securities intermediary for
Diamond LS Trust; on behalf of themselves and all others similarly
situated v. Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance Company.
On April 6, 2020, Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance Company
(GLAIC), the company's indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, was named
as a defendant in a putative class action lawsuit filed in the
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia,
captioned Brighton Trustees, LLC, on behalf of and as trustee for
Diamond LS Trust; and Bank of Utah, solely as securities
intermediary for Diamond LS Trust; on behalf of themselves and all
others similarly situated v. Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance
Company.
Plaintiff seeks to represent life insurance policyholders, alleging
that GLAIC subjected policyholders to an unlawful and excessive
cost of insurance increase.
Plaintiff also alleges that the cost of insurance increase was not
applied uniformly to policyholders, and that GLAIC improperly
refused to provide reports on illustrative future death benefits
and policy values to policyholders.
The Complaint asserts claims for breach of contract and injunctive
relief, and seeks damages in excess of $5 million, restitution,
reinstatement of lapsed and/or surrendered policies, and equitable
relief.
Genworth said, "We intend to vigorously defend this action."
Genworth Financial, Inc. provides insurance and homeownership
solutions in the United States and internationally. It operates
through five segments: U.S. Mortgage Insurance, Canada Mortgage
Insurance, Australia Mortgage Insurance, U.S. Life Insurance, and
Runoff. Genworth Financial, Inc. was founded in 1871 and is
headquartered in Richmond, Virginia.
GENWORTH FINANCIAL: Continues to Defend Burkhart Class Action
-------------------------------------------------------------
Genworth Financial, Inc. said in its Form 10-Q Report filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 2020, for the
quarterly period ended March 31, 2020, that the company continues
to defend a class action suit entitled, Richard F. Burkhart,
William E. Kelly, Richard S. Lavery, Thomas R. Pratt, Gerald Green,
individually and on behalf of all other persons similarly situated
v. Genworth et al.
In September 2018, Genworth Financial, Genworth Holdings, Genworth
North America Corporation, Genworth Financial International
Holdings, LLC (GFIH) and Genworth Life Insurance Company ("GLIC")
were named as defendants in a putative class action lawsuit pending
in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware captioned Richard
F. Burkhart, William E. Kelly, Richard S. Lavery, Thomas R. Pratt,
Gerald Green, individually and on behalf of all other persons
similarly situated v. Genworth et al. Plaintiffs allege that GLIC
paid dividends to its parent and engaged in certain reinsurance
transactions causing it to maintain inadequate capital capable of
meeting its obligations to GLIC policyholders and agents.
The complaint alleges causes of action for intentional fraudulent
transfer and constructive fraudulent transfer, and seeks injunctive
relief.
The company moved to dismiss this action in December 2018. On
January 29, 2019, plaintiffs exercised their right to amend their
complaint. On March 12, 2019, the company moved to dismiss
plaintiffs' amended complaint.
On April 26, 2019, plaintiffs filed a memorandum in opposition to
the company's motion to dismiss, which the company replied to on
June 14, 2019. On August 7, 2019, plaintiffs filed a motion seeking
to prevent proceeds that GFIH expected to receive from the then
planned sale of its shares in Genworth Canada from being
transferred out of GFIH.
On September 11, 2019, plaintiffs filed a renewed motion seeking
the same relief from their August 7, 2019 motion with an exception
that allowed GFIH to transfer $450 million of expected proceeds
from the sale of Genworth Canada through a dividend to Genworth
Holdings to allow the pay off of a senior secured term loan
facility dated March 7, 2018 among Genworth Holdings as the
borrower, GFIH as the limited guarantor and the lending parties
thereto.
Oral arguments on the company's motion to dismiss and plaintiffs'
motion occurred on October 21, 2019, and plaintiffs' motion was
denied. On January 31, 2020, the Court granted in part the
company's motion to dismiss, dismissing claims relating to $395
million in dividends GLIC paid to its parent from 2012 to 2014 (out
of the $410 million in total dividends subject to plaintiffs'
claims). The Court denied the balance of the motion to dismiss
leaving a claim relating to $15 million in dividends and
unquantified claims relating to the 2016 termination of a
reinsurance transaction.
On March 27, 2020, the company's filed its answer to plaintiffs'
amended complaint.
Genworth said, "We intend to continue to vigorously defend this
action."
Genworth Financial, Inc. provides insurance and homeownership
solutions in the United States and internationally. It operates
through five segments: U.S. Mortgage Insurance, Canada Mortgage
Insurance, Australia Mortgage Insurance, U.S. Life Insurance, and
Runoff. Genworth Financial, Inc. was founded in 1871 and is
headquartered in Richmond, Virginia.
GHIRARDELLI: Class Action Over White Baking Chips Packaging Nixed
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Lori Lustrin, Esq. -- llustrin@bilzin.com -- Melissa
Pallett-Vasquez, Esq. -- mpallett@bilzin.com -- and Brianna Sainte,
Esq., of Bilzin Sumberg, in an article for JDSupra, report that
U.S. District Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton granted Ghirardelli's
Motion to Dismiss a proposed class action involving the
chocolatier's packaging of its white baking chips.
Filing their case in September of last year in California state
court, the class plaintiffs alleged that the products were
deceptively labeled because the use of the term "white" insinuated
that the chips contained white chocolate when it, in fact, did not.
Ghirardelli removed the case to federal court and moved to dismiss,
arguing that the mere use of the word ‘white' says nothing about
whether the product is chocolate," but rather simply describes the
color of the chips.
Judge Hamilton agreed. On April 8, 2020, the court dismissed the
case in its entirety without prejudice. Applying the "reasonable
consumer" standard -- which requires a probability that a
"significant portion of the general consuming public or of targeted
consumers, acting reasonably in the circumstances, could be misled"
-- Judge Hamilton concluded that it would be unreasonable for the
average person to rely on Ghirardelli's use of the word "white" as
an indication that the product contained chocolate, particularly
where the term "chocolate" or "cocoa" was not used anywhere on the
packaging. [2] The court analogized the situation to the use of the
term "white wine." As Judge Hamilton observed, "white wine may
define the characteristic of the wine's color but does not inform
the consumer whether the wine is a zinfandel or gewürztraminer."
The court also observed that any potential confusion caused to
consumers by the use of the color descriptor could be resolved by
the ingredients list on the product packaging.
While courts are generally reluctant to address the reasonable
consumer standard -- characterized as a fact-based inquiry --
outside the context of class certification or summary judgment,
Judge Hamilton's opinion demonstrates an increasing willingness by
Judges to take the common sense based analysis into account at the
pleading stage and dispense with complaints predicated on labels
that fail to indicate plausible deception. [GN]
GSX TECHEDU: June 16 Lead Plaintiff Motion Deadline Set
-------------------------------------------------------
Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm,
reminds investors in GSX Techedu Inc. (NYSE: GSX) ("GSX" or the
"Company") of the June 16, 2020 deadline to seek the role of lead
plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed
against the Company.
If you invested in GSX stock or options between June 6, 2019 and
April 13, 2020 and would like to discuss your legal rights, click
here: www.faruqilaw.com/GSX. There is no cost or obligation to
you.
You can also contact us by calling Richard Gonnello toll free at
877-247-4292 or at 212-983-9330 or by sending an e-mail to
rgonnello@faruqilaw.com.
CONTACT:
FARUQI & FARUQI, LLP
685 Third Avenue, 26th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Attn: Richard Gonnello, Esq.
rgonnello@faruqilaw.com
Telephone: (877) 247-4292 or (212) 983-9330
The lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the
District of New Jersey on behalf of all those who purchased GSX
securities between June 6, 2019 and April 13, 2020 (the "Class
Period"). The case, Wu v. GSX Techedu Inc. et a.ls, No.
1:20-cv-04457 was filed on April 17, 2020.
The lawsuit focuses on whether the Company and its executives
violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading
statements and/or failing to disclose that: (1) GSX overstated its
profitability, revenue, student enrollment figures, teacher
qualifications, and teacher selection process; (2) the foregoing,
once revealed, was foreseeably likely to have a material negative
impact on the Company's financial results; and (3) as a result, the
Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at
all relevant times.
On February 25, 2020, Grizzly Research LLC ("Grizzly") published a
report highlighting multiple alleged issues with GSX's business and
financial operations (the "Grizzly Report"). Specifically, the
Grizzly Report alleged, among other issues, that the Company "has
been drastically overstating its profitability in its US public
filings, especially for 2018"; Grizzly "found multiple strong
indications of past and current order 'brushing,'" which are
"essentially fake student enrollments to boost student count";
"many of GSX's reported students do not actually exist"; and
"[w]hile [GSX] touts its high-quality teacher recruitment
mechanism, [Grizzly] found a sign-up website that was not
functional, multiple allegations of GSX hiring teachers right out
of college with no prior experience, and fabricated teachers
profiles."
On this news, the price of the Company's American Depository Shares
("ADS") fell from $45.42 per share on February 24, 2020 to $44.09
per share on February 25, 2020: a $1.33 or 2.93% drop.
Then, on April 14, 2020, Citron Research ("Citron") published a
report highlighting additional alleged issues with GSX's business
and financial operations (the "Citron Report"), including, among
other issues, that the Company's "2019 revenue was overstated by
70%," that "sales revenues are largely exaggerated," and that the
Company's "filings are riddled with suspicious transactions."
On this news, the Company's ADS price fell from $31.40 per share on
April 13, 2020 to $31.20 per share on April 14, 2020: a $0.20 or
0.64% drop.
The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest
financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is
adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the
litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the
putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff
through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and
remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any
recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead
plaintiff or not.
Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information
regarding GSX's conduct to contact the firm, including
whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others. [GN]
HARTFORD FINANCIAL: Reinol Sues Over Failure to Pay for Losses
--------------------------------------------------------------
Reinol A. Gonzalez, D.M.D., P.A., individually and on behalf of all
others similarly situated v. THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP,
INC., and SENTINEL INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED, Case No.
1:20-cv-22151-XXXX (S.D. Fla., May 22, 2020), is brought against
the Defendants, who have refused and failed to pay for the
Plaintiff's losses and expenses.
To protect the dental practice and the income from operation of the
dental practice, the Plaintiff purchased a property insurance
policy with policy number 01 SBA AZ4326 DW (the "Policy"). The
Policy was issued and underwritten by the Defendants Sentinel and
the Hartford. The Policy is a bilateral contract: the Plaintiff
agreed to pay monthly premiums to the Defendants, in exchange for
the Defendants' promises of coverage for certain losses.
Among other types of coverage, the Policy protects the Plaintiff
against a loss of business income due to a suspension of the dental
practice's operations. This type of coverage is often referred to
as business interruption coverage. The Policy also provides "Extra
Expense" coverage, under which the Defendants promised to pay
expenses incurred to minimize the suspension of business.
Additionally, the Policy provides "Civil Authority" coverage, under
which the Defendants promised to pay for loss of business income
caused by the action of a civil authority prohibiting access to the
dental practice. The Plaintiff duly complied with its obligations
under the Policy and paid the requisite premiums.
Beginning in March 2020, the Plaintiff was forced to suspend
operations at the dental practice, as a result of COVID-19. Related
actions of civil authorities also prohibited access to and
occupancy of the dental practice. This suspension, which is
ongoing, has caused the Plaintiff to suffer significant losses and
incur significant expenses, according to the complaint. Under the
Policy, the Defendants promised to cover these losses and expenses,
and are obligated to pay for them, subject to the applicable limit
of insurance. But in blatant breach of their contractual
obligations, the Defendants have failed to pay for these losses and
expenses. The Defendants have failed to pay for similar losses and
expenses by at least thousands of other insureds holding policies
that are, in all material respects, identical.
Reinol A. Gonzalez, D.M.D., P.A., is the operator of a dental
practice located in Davie, Florida.
The Hartford contracts to insure properties in all fifty states,
including by and through its wholly-owned subsidiaries.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Steven C. Marks, Esq.
Aaron S. Podhurst, Esq.
Lea P. Bucciero, Esq.
Matthew P. Weinshall, Esq.
Kristina M. Infante, Esq.
Pablo Rojas, Esq.
PODHURST ORSECK, P.A.
SunTrust International Center
One S.E. 3rd Ave., Suite 2300
Miami, FL 33131
Phone: (305) 358-2800
Fax: (305) 358-2382
Email: smarks@podhurst.com
apodhurst@podhurst.com
lbucciero@podhurst.com
mweinshall@podhurst.com
kinfante@podhurst.com
projas@podhurst.com
- and -
Stephen N. Zack, Esq.
Bruce Weil, Esq.
James Lee, Esq.
Marshall Dore Louis, Esq.
BOIES SCHILLER FLEXNER LLP
100 Southeast 2nd Street, Suite 2800
Miami, FL 33131
Phone: (305) 539-8400
Fax: (305) 539-1307
Email: szack@bsfllp.com
bweil@bsfllp.com
jlee@bsfllp.com
mlouis@bsfllp.com
- and -
David Boies, Esq.
Nick Gravante, Esq.
Alex Boies, Esq.
BOIES SCHILLER FLEXNER LLP
55 Hudson Yards
New York, NY 10001
Phone: (212) 446-2300
Fax: (212) 446-2350
Email: dboies@bsfllp.com
ngravante@bsfllp.com
aboies@bsfllp.com
HARTFORD FINANCIAL: Wrongfully Denies Claims, Independence Claims
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Independence Barbershop, LLC, individually and on behalf of all
others similarly situated v. THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP,
INC. and TWIN CITY FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY, Case No. 1:20-cv-00555
(W.D. Tex., May 22, 2020), is brought against the Defendants for
wrongfully denying the Plaintiff's insurance claim.
Like many businesses, including barbershops in Texas, Independence
Barbershop was forced to significantly curtail its services due to
the COVID-19 Pandemic (also known as the "Coronavirus" or
"SARS-CoV-2"), the executive order issued by the Governor of Texas,
and the orders by the County Judge of Travis County. Independence
Barbershop sought to protect itself--and reasonably believed that
it had protected itself--in the event that its operations were
suspended or reduced for reasons outside of its control beyond just
damage to the physical premises (such as fire), by purchasing an
"all-risk" property Spectrum Business Owner's Policy through the
Defendants (the "Special Property Coverage Form"). An "all-risk"
property policy provides broad coverage for losses resulting from
any cause unless expressly excluded.
The Business Income and Civil Authority coverages purchased by te
Plaintiff are not subject to any relevant exclusion for losses
caused by pandemics like COVID-19, according to the complaint. But
even to the extent a virus exclusion would apply, Defendants have
rendered this exclusion inapplicable by expressly providing for
limited Time Element Coverage when a cessation of business
operations is caused by a "virus."
Notwithstanding this coverage, the Plaintiff contends that when it
suffered an actual loss of Business Income as a result of a covered
cause of loss and needed her Business Income coverage, the
Defendants wrongfully--and in contravention of the policy--denied
its insurance claim. The Plaintiff is not alone. The Defendants
have systematically refused to pay all their insureds under their
Business Income and Civil Authority coverages for losses suffered
due to COVID-19 (and related civil authority orders), regardless of
whether the implicated insurance policy has an applicable pandemic
exclusion or not, and regardless of whether the policy had
applicable "Limited Fungi, Bacteria Or Virus Coverage," says the
complaint.
Independence Barbershop is a full-service barbershop and grooming
supply retailer.
The Hartford is a financial holding company for a group of
insurance and non-insurance subsidiaries.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Hans W. Lodge, Esq.
BERGER MONTAGUE P.C.
43 SE Main Street, Suite 505
Minneapolis, MN 55414
Phone: (612) 594-5933
Email: hlodge@bm.net
- and -
Shanon J. Carson, Esq.
BERGER MONTAGUE, P.C.
1818 Market Street, Suite 3600
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: 215-875-4656
Email: scarson@bm.net
- and -
Alex R. Straus, Esq.
GREG COLEMAN LAW PC
16748 McCormick Street
Los Angeles, CA 91436
Phone: (917) 471-1894
Email: alex@gregcolemanlaw.com
- and –
Greg F. Coleman, Esq.
Will Ladnier, Esq.
Jonathan B. Cohen, Esq.
GREG COLEMAN LAW PC
First Tennessee Plaza
800 S. Gay Street, Suite 1100
Knoxville, TN 37929
Phone: 865-247-0080
Fax: 865-522-0049
Email: greg@gregcolemanlaw.com
will@gregcolemanlaw.com
jonathan@gregcolemanlaw.com
- and -
Daniel K. Bryson, Esq.
Patrick M. Wallace, Esq.
WHITFIELD BRYSON & MASON, LLP
900 W. Morgan Street
Raleigh, NC 27605
Phone: 919-600-5000
Fax: (919) 600-5035
Email: dan@whitfieldbryson.com
pat@whitfieldbryson.com
HB USA: Web Site Not Accessible to Blind People, Gonzalez Says
--------------------------------------------------------------
RAYMOND GONZALEZ, on behalf of himself and all others similarly
situated v. HB USA HOLDINGS, INC., Case No. 1:20-cv-03790
(S.D.N.Y., May 15, 2020), is a civil rights action against the
Defendant for its failure to design, construct, maintain, and
operate its Web site to be fully accessible to and independently
usable by the Plaintiff and other blind or visually-impaired people
in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The Plaintiff contends that because the Defendant's Web site,
http://www.hudabeauty.com/,is not equally accessible to blind and
visually-impaired consumers, it violates the ADA. The Plaintiff
seeks a permanent injunction to cause a change in the Defendant's
corporate policies, practices, and procedures so that the
Defendant's website will become and remain accessible to blind and
visually-impaired consumers.
Based on a 2010 U.S. Census Bureau report, approximately 8.1
million people in the United States are visually impaired,
including 2.0 million who are blind, and according to the American
Foundation for the Blind's 2016 report, approximately 420,000
visually impaired persons live in the State of New York.
The Plaintiff uses the terms "blind" or "visually-impaired" to
refer to all people with visual impairments, who meet the legal
definition of blindness in that they have a visual acuity with
correction of less than or equal to 20 x 200.
The Defendant is a beauty products company that owns and operates
the Web site offering features, which should allow all consumers to
access the goods and services which the Defendant ensures the
delivery of throughout the United States, including New York
State.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Mars Khaimov, Esq.
MARS KHAIMOV LAW, PLLC
10826 64th Avenue, Second Floor
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Telephone: (929) 324-0717
E-mail: marskhaimovlaw@gmail.com
HISCOX INSURANCE: Refused Business Interruption Coverage Claims
---------------------------------------------------------------
CHIEF OF STAFF LLC, individually and on behalf of all others
similarly situated, Plaintiff v. HISCOX INSURANCE COMPANY INC.,
Defendant, Case No. 1:20-cv-03169 (N.D. Ill., May 29, 2020) is a
class action against the Defendant for breach of its contractual
obligation under common all-risk commercial property insurance
policies.
The Plaintiff, on behalf of itself and all others
similarly-situated entities that purchased the Defendant's all-risk
commercial property insurance policies, alleges that the Defendant
has denied its obligation to pay for business income losses and
other covered expenses incurred by policyholders, including the
Plaintiff, for the physical loss and damage to the insured property
from measures put in place by the civil authorities in response to
the COVID-19 pandemic. The Plaintiff and Class members argue that
they are entitled for payments under the business income, civil
authority, and extra expense coverage because the incurred business
income losses in connection with the closure orders and the
necessary interruption of their businesses stemming from such
orders are insured losses under the Defendant's policies.
Chief of Staff LLC is an operator of a hospitality support agency
with principal place of business in Hartford, Connecticut.
Hiscox Insurance Company Inc. is an insurance provider based in
Chicago, Illinois. [BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Paul J. Geller, Esq.
Stuart A. Davidson, Esq.
Bradley M. Beall, Esq.
ROBBINS GELLER RUDMAN & DOWD LLP
120 East Palmetto Park Road, Suite 500
Boca Raton, FL 33432
Telephone: (561) 750-3000
Facsimile: (561) 750-3364
E-mail: pgeller@rgrdlaw.com
sdavidson@rgrdlaw.com
bbeall@rgrdlaw.com
- and –
James E. Barz, Esq.
Frank A. Richter, Esq.
William J. Edelman, Esq.
Gina M. Buschatzke, Esq.
ROBBINS GELLER RUDMAN & DOWD LLP
200 South Wacker Drive, 31st Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
Telephone: (312) 674-4674
Facsimile: (312) 674-4676
E-mail: jbarz@rgrdlaw.com
frichter@rgrdlaw.com
wedelman@rgrdlaw.com
gbuschatzke@rgrdlaw.com
- and –
Samuel H. Rudman, Esq.
ROBBINS GELLER RUDMAN & DOWD LLP
58 South Service Road, Suite 200
Melville, NY 11747
Telephone: (631) 367-7100
E-mail: srudman@rgrdlaw.com
- and –
Christopher A. Seeger, Esq.
Stephen A. Weiss, Esq.
SEEGER WEISS
55 Challenger Road, 6th Floor
Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660
Telephone: (973) 639-9100
E-mail: cseeger@seegerweiss.com
sweiss@seegerweiss.com
- and –
James E. Cecchi, Esq.
Lindsey H. Taylor, Esq.
CARELLA, BYRNE, CECCHI OLSTEIN, BRODY & AGNELLO
5 Becker Farm Road
Roseland, NJ 07068
Telephone: (973) 994-1700
E-mail: jcecchi@carellabyrne.com
ltaylor@carellabyrne.com
HOMYN ENTERPRISES: Faces Gabriel Suit Over Untimely Wage Payment
----------------------------------------------------------------
FRANCKY GABRIEL, individually and on behalf of all others similarly
situated v. HOMYN ENTERPRISES CORP. D/B/A SECURE WRAP, Case No.
1:20-cv-02232 (E.D.N.Y., May 18, 2020), seeks to recover untimely
wage compensation and other damages for manual workers pursuant to
the New York Labor Law.
The Plaintiff and similar hourly customer associates and machine
operators worked or have worked as manual workers for Homyn. As a
manual worker, the Plaintiff was required to lift customer's
baggage onto a machine that allowed him to wrap the customer's
baggage in plastic wrap. The Plaintiff has been employed by Homyn
in 2019.
Despite being manual workers, the Defendant has failed to properly
pay the Plaintiff and other manual workers their wages within seven
calendar days after the end of the week in which these wages were
earned, says the complaint.
Homyn provides full-service baggage protection services to airport
customers across 17 countries and in over 50 airports. In New York,
Homyn operates out of John F. Kennedy International Airport under
the name Secure Wrap.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Brian S. Schaffer, Esq.
Frank J. Mazzaferro, Esq.
FITAPELLI & SCHAFFER, LLP
28 Liberty Street, 30th Floor
New York, NY 10005
Telephone: (212) 300-0375
IMAGINARY IMAGES: Dollar Suit Seeks Minimum and OT Pay Under FLSA
-----------------------------------------------------------------
HAILEY DOLLAR and FANNIE RECKARD, On Behalf of Themselves and all
Others Similarly Situated v. IMAGINARY IMAGES, INC. d/b/a PAPER
MOON and WILLIAM PYLIARIS, Case No. 3:20-cv-00351 (E.D. Va., May
15, 2020), seeks unpaid minimum wages, unpaid overtime
compensation, back-pay, restitution, liquidated damages, reasonable
attorney's fees and costs, and all related penalties and damages
under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
The Plaintiff contends that the Defendants had a systemic
company-wide policy, pattern, or practice of misclassifying
employees as "independent contractors." As a result of this policy,
pattern, or practice of misclassification, the Defendants are
legally responsible and now liable for failing to pay Plaintiffs
under the FLSA.
The Plaintiffs were employed by the Defendants as an exotic dancers
at the Defendants' strip club.
The Defendants operate Paper Moon strip club located in Richmond,
Virginia.[BN]
The Plaintiffs are represented by:
Gregg C. Greenberg, Esq.
ZIPIN, AMSTER & GREENBERG, LLC
8757 Georgia Avenue, Suite 400
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Telephone: (301) 587-9373
E-mail: GGreenberg@ZAGFirm.com
JOUER COSMETICS: Web Site Not Accessible to Blind, Gonzalez Says
----------------------------------------------------------------
RAYMOND GONZALEZ, on behalf of himself and all others similarly
situated v. JOUER COSMETICS, LLC, Case No. 1:20-cv-03794 (S.D.N.Y.,
May 15, 2020), is a civil rights action against the Defendant for
its failure to design, construct, maintain, and operate its Web
site to be fully accessible to and independently usable by the
Plaintiff and other blind or visually-impaired people in violation
of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The Plaintiff contends that because the Defendant's Web site,
http://www.jouercosmetics.com/,is not equally accessible to blind
and visually-impaired consumers, it violates the ADA. The Plaintiff
seeks a permanent injunction to cause a change in the Defendant's
corporate policies, practices, and procedures so that the
Defendant's Web site will become and remain accessible to blind and
visually-impaired consumers.
Based on a 2010 U.S. Census Bureau report, approximately 8.1
million people in the United States are visually impaired,
including 2.0 million who are blind, and according to the American
Foundation for the Blind's 2016 report, approximately 420,000
visually impaired persons live in the State of New York.
The Plaintiff uses the terms "blind" or "visually-impaired" to
refer to all people with visual impairments, who meet the legal
definition of blindness in that they have a visual acuity with
correction of less than or equal to 20 x 200.
The Defendant is a cosmetic and skincare products company that owns
and operates the Web site offering features, which should allow all
consumers to access the goods and services which Defendant ensures
the delivery of throughout the United States, including New York
State.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Mars Khaimov, Esq.
MARS KHAIMOV LAW, PLLC
10826 64th Avenue, Second Floor
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Telephone: (929) 324-0717
E-mail: marskhaimovlaw@gmail.com
JUUL LABS: BVSD School Board Mulls Joining Vaping Class Action
--------------------------------------------------------------
Amy Bounds, writing for Daily Camera, reports that the Boulder
Valley school board voted unanimously in April to hire a law firm
to investigate joining a class action lawsuit against Juul Labs
that alleges the company contributed to creating a youth vaping
epidemic.
The law firm, Lieff, Cabraser, Heimann and Bernstein, LLP, is asked
to gather Boulder Valley-specific information and statements. If
the investigation suggests the district should go forward,
Superintendent Rob Anderson would have the authority to direct the
firm to represent the school district in the lawsuit.
"We feel like this is the right next step," Anderson said. "We're
in a great position to be leaders amongst the state around
vaping."
The lawsuit the district likely would join is one that includes
Denver, Jefferson, Eagle and Pitkin counties, along with several
other jurisdictions across the United States. Those counties are
suing vape maker JUUL Labs Inc. for contributing to the rapid use
of e-cigarettes by minors, as reported by Biz West.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court of Colorado, alleges
Juul and its affiliates engaged in racketeering by trying to entice
teenagers to use their products while also publicly denying the
potential adverse health effects.
A passage in the suit claims a Juul representative contacted
Nederland Middle-Senior High School in January 2018 to offer free
classes to teach students alternative ways of dealing with stress,
an offer seen as in bad faith, according to the Biz West story.
Boulder Valley School District officials previously joined parents
in urging the Boulder City Council to ban the sale of flavored
vaporized products and raise the age to buy tobacco and nicotine
products to 21. The City Council approved the restrictions in
August 2019.
Along with the potential for vaping-related lung disease, public
health officials are concerned that e-cigarettes -- marketed as a
safer alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes -- are
addicting a new generation to nicotine.
In Boulder County, teens are vaping at a higher rate than the state
average -- and Colorado teens are vaping more than those
nationwide, based on the most recent results of the Healthy Kids
Colorado Survey. [GN]
K&L ENTERTAINMENT: Parker Sues Over Unpaid Minimum and OT Wages
---------------------------------------------------------------
Shannon Parker, on behalf of herself and all others similarly
situated v. K&L ENTERTAINMENT, INC. d/b/a THE GENTLEMEN'S PLAYHOUSE
and KRISHAN LAL, Case No. 5:20-cv-00217-BO (E.D.N.C., May 22,
2020), seeks to recover unpaid minimum wages, unpaid overtime
compensation, back-pay, restitution, liquidated damages, reasonable
attorney's fees and costs, and all related penalties and damages
under the Fair Labor Standards Act and under the North Carolina
Wage and Hour Act.
According to the complaint, the Defendants had a systemic
company-wide policy, pattern, or practice of misclassifying
employees as "independent contractors." As a result of this policy,
pattern, or practice of misclassification, the Defendants are
legally responsible and now liable for failing to pay the Plaintiff
under FLSA and the NCWHA. At no time during the Plaintiff's period
of employment did the Defendants ever pay the Plaintiff any wages
for hours that the Plaintiff worked each week. The Defendants
failed to pay wages or any kind of compensation to the Plaintiff
for work duties performed.
The Plaintiff was employed by the Defendants as an exotic dancer at
their Gentlemen's Playhouse strip club located in Selma, North
Carolina.
K&L Entertainment, Inc., d/b/a the Gentlemen's Playhouse, is a
corporation formed in North Carolina and operates as a strip club
featuring female exotic dancers.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Jason S. Chestnut, Esq.
Philip J. Gibbons, Jr., Esq.
Craig L. Leis, Esq.
GIBBONS LEIS, PLLC
14045 Ballantyne Corporate Place, Ste. 325
Charlotte, NC 28277
Phone: 704-612-0038
Email: jason@gibbonsleis.com
phil@gibbonsleis.com
craig@gibbonsleis.com
- and -
Gregg C. Greenberg, Esq.
ZIPIN, AMSTER & GREENBERG, LLC
8757 Georgia Avenue, Suite 400
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 301-587-9373
Email: ggreenberg@zagfirm.com
KLM ROYAL: Subramanyam Sues Over Failure to Provide Full Refunds
----------------------------------------------------------------
Anil Kumar Subramanyam, individually and on behalf of all others
similarly situated v. KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRLINES, Case No.
2:20-cv-11296-LJM-APP (E.D. Mich., May 22, 2020), arises from the
Defendant's failure to provide full refunds to customers whose
flights were cancelled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The United States Department of Transportation ("DOT") has "issued
an Enforcement Notice clarifying, in the context of the 2019 Novel
Coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency, that U.S. and
foreign airlines remain obligated to provide a prompt refund to
passengers for flights to, within, or from the United States when
the carrier cancels the passenger's scheduled flight or makes a
significant schedule change and the passenger chooses not to accept
the alternative offered by the carrier.
Given the outbreak of the coronavirus, the Defendant has cancelled
a vast percentage of its international and United States flights.
The Defendant has, to date, not issued refunds for flights that the
Defendant cancelled, according to the complaint. This is
particularly egregious given that KLM's parent company, Air
France-KLM S.A., received a nearly $11 billion bailout from the
French and Dutch governments.
The Plaintiff, like many other travelers, was scheduled to fly with
KLM. As part of the Plaintiff's trip, the Plaintiff was to embark
on two flights departing from or destined for the United States: a
departing flight from Detroit, Michigan to Paris, France, and a
return flight from Paris to Detroit. The Plaintiff purchased his
flight directly from KLM. The Plaintiff's flights were cancelled by
KLM. The Plaintiff alleges that he has not been refunded by KLM for
his cancelled flights. KLM was required by the DOT Enforcement
Notice to provide the Plaintiff a prompt refund when it cancelled
his flight, says the complaint.
The Plaintiff purchased tickets for himself, his wife, and his
daughter directly from KLM for flights to and from the United
States.
KLM is the flag carrier of the Netherlands.[BN]
The Plaintiff is reprensented by:
Nick Suciu III, Esq.
BARBAT MANSOUR SUCIU & TOMINA PLLC
6905 Telegraph Rd., Suite 115
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
Phone: (313) 303-3472
Email: nicksuciu@bmslawyers.com
- and -
Yeremey O. Krivoshey, Esq.
BURSOR & FISHER, P.A.
1990 N. California Blvd., Suite 940
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Phone: (925) 300-4455
Fax: (925) 407-2700
Email: ykrivoshey@bursor.com
- and -
Andrew J. Obergfell, Esq.
Max S. Roberts, Esq.
BURSOR & FISHER, P.A.
888 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10019
Phone: (646) 837-7150
Fax: (212) 989-9163
Email: aobergfell@bursor.com
mroberts@bursor.com
KVZ GOLF: Kroll Seeks Minimum Wages for Cart Attendants & Rangers
-----------------------------------------------------------------
WALTER KROLL, on his own behalf and others similarly situated v.
KVZ GOLF, LLC, a Florida Limited Liability Company, d/b/a Palm Cove
Golf and Yacht Club, and MIROSLAV VOJTISEK, an individual, jointly
and severally, Case No. 2:20-cv-14150-RLR (S.D. Fla., May 15,
2020), is brought against the Defendants under the Fair Labor
Standards Act of 1938 and the Florida Minimum Wage Act for failing
to pay minimum wages to all unpaid cart attendants, rangers and
range pickers.
The Plaintiff worked for the Defendant as a cart attendant in Palm
City, Florida, between October 15, 2016, and April 10, 2020. The
proposed class members are unpaid cart attendants, rangers and
range pickers who worked for Defendant during any work weeks within
the last five years.
The Defendants own and operate a golf course and Yacht Club in Palm
City, Florida.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Robert S. Norell, Esq.
ROBERT S. NORELL, P.A.
300 N.W. 70th Avenue, Suite 305
Plantation, FL 33317
Telephone: (954) 617-6017
Facsimile: (954) 617-6018
E-mail: rob@floridawagelaw.com
L'OREAL USA: Faces Williams Suit Over Blind-Inaccessible Web Site
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Pamela Williams, on behalf of herself and all others similarly
situated v. L'OREAL USA, INC. D/B/A GIRGIO ARMANI BEAUTY, Case No.
1:20-cv-03965 (S.D.N.Y., May 22, 2020), is brought against the
Defendant for its failure to design, construct, maintain, and
operate its Web site to be fully accessible to and independently
usable by the Plaintiff and other blind or visually-impaired
people.
According to the complaint, the Defendant's denial of full and
equal access to its Web site,
http://www.giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com,and therefore denial of its
goods and services offered thereby, is a violation of Plaintiff's
rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Because the
Defendant's Web site is not equally accessible to blind and
visually-impaired consumers, it violates the ADA. The Plaintiff
seeks a permanent injunction to cause a change in the Defendant's
corporate policies, practices, and procedures so that the
Defendant's Web site will become and remain accessible to blind and
visually-impaired consumers.
The Plaintiff is a visually-impaired and legally blind person, who
requires screen-reading software to read Web site content using her
computer.
The Defendant is a cosmetics company that owns and operates the Web
site offering features which should allow all consumers to access
the goods and services and which the Defendant ensures the delivery
of such goods throughout the United States, including New York
State.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
David P. Force, Esq.
STEIN SAKS, PLLC
285 Passaic Street
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Phone: (201) 282-6500
Fax: (201) 282-6501
Email: dforce@steinsakslegal.com
LAND O'LAKES: Breaches Fiduciary Duties Under ERISA, Parmer Says
----------------------------------------------------------------
Craig Parmer and Mark A. Laurance, individually and on behalf of
all others similarly situated v. LAND O'LAKES, INC., THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OF LAND O'LAKES, INC., LAND O'LAKES, INC. RETIREMENT PLAN
COMMITTEE, and JOHN DOES 1-30, Case No. 0:20-cv-01253 (D. Minn.,
May 26, 2020), is brought pursuant to the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974 against the Plan's fiduciaries for
breaches of their fiduciary duties.
To safeguard Plan participants and beneficiaries, ERISA imposes
strict fiduciary duties of loyalty and prudence upon employers and
other plan fiduciaries. The Plan has, at all times during the Class
Period, maintained over a billion dollars in assets (including
having 1.4 billion dollars in assets in 2018), qualifying it as a
large plan in the defined contribution plan marketplace, and among
the largest plans in the United States.
According to the complaint, these Plan assets are entrusted to the
care of the Plan's fiduciaries. As a large plan, the Plan had
substantial bargaining power regarding the fees and expenses that
were charged against participants' investments. The Defendants,
however, did not try to reduce the Plan's expenses or exercise
appropriate judgment to scrutinize each investment option that was
offered in the Plan to ensure it was prudent.
The Plaintiffs allege that during the putative Class Period (May
26, 2014, through the date of judgment) the Defendants, as
"fiduciaries" of the Plan, as that term is defined under ERISA,
breached the duties they owed to the Plan, to the Plaintiffs, and
to the other participants of the Plan by, inter alia, (1) failing
to objectively and adequately review the Plan's investment
portfolio with due care to ensure that each investment option was
prudent, in terms of cost; and (2) maintaining certain funds in the
Plan despite the availability of identical or similar investment
options with lower costs and/or better performance histories.
To make matters worse, the Defendants failed to utilize the lowest
cost share class for many of the mutual funds within the Plan, and
failed to consider lower cost collective trusts that were available
to the Plan as alternatives to certain mutual funds in the Plan,
according to the complaint. The Defendants' mismanagement of the
Plan, to the detriment of participants and beneficiaries,
constitutes a breach of the fiduciary duties of prudence and
loyalty, in violation of the ERISA.
The Plaintiffs participated in the Plan, investing in the options
offered by the Plan.
Land O'Lakes is the Plan sponsor, who describes itself as "one of
America's premier agribusiness and food companies" with operations
that span the spectrum from agricultural production to consumer
foods.[BN]
The Plaintiffs are represented by:
Vernon J. Vander Weide, Esq.
Robert K. Shelquist, Esq.
LOCKRIDGE GRINDAL NAUEN P.L.L.P.
100 South Washington Avenue, Suite 2200
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone: (612) 339-6900
Facsimile: (612) 339-0981
Email: rkshelquist@locklaw.com
- and -
Mark K. Gyandoh, Esq.
CAPOZZI ADLER, P.C.
312 Old Lancaster Road
Merion Station, PA 19066
Phone: (610) 890-0200
Fax (717) 233-4103
Email: markg@capozziadler.com
- and -
Donald R. Reavey, Esq.
CAPOZZI ADLER, P.C.
2933 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Phone: (717) 233-4101
Fax (717) 233-4103
Email: donr@capozziadler.com
LINDNER & MARSACK: Oliver Sues in N.D. Texas Over FDCPA Violation
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A class action lawsuit has been filed against Lindner & Marsack SC.
The case is captioned as Darlisha Oliver, Individually and on
Behalf of All Others Similarly Situated v. Lindner & Marsack SC,
Case No. 3:20-cv-01216-E (N.D. Tex., May 12, 2020).
The case is assigned to the Hon. Judge Ada Brown.
The lawsuit alleges violation of Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
involving consumer credit.
Lindner & Marsack is a law firm specializing in labor and
employment.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Walt D. Roper, Esq.
THE ROPER FIRM PC
3131 McKinney Avenue, Suite 600
Dallas, TX 75204
Telephone: (214) 420-4520
Facsimile: (214) 856-8480
E-mail: walt@roperfirm.com
MANAGEMENT TRAINING: Jail Staff Seek OT Pay for Off-Clock Hours
---------------------------------------------------------------
Lisa Aguilar, Edgar Castro, Jorge Guillen, Jason Johnson, Veronica
Hernandez and Arlene Dungan, on behalf of themselves and all others
similarly situated, Plaintiffs, v. Management & Training
Corporation (MTC), Defendant, Case No. 20-cv-00058, (D. Utah, May
12, 2020), seeks unpaid overtime compensation, liquidated damages,
attorneys' fees and costs under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the
New Mexico Minimum Wage Act and the Portal to Portal Act.
MTC contracts with various federal, state, county, and local
governments to operate and provide services at correctional,
detention and processing facilities throughout the United States.
Plaintiffs are correctional officers assigned to New Mexico and
Texas facilities. Plaintiffs seek compensation for hours spent
completing security screenings before and after each shift. [BN]
Plaintiff is represented by:
Bret M. Hanna, Esq.
WRONA LAW
1745 Sidewinder Drive
Park City, UT 84060
Tel: (435) 649-2525
Fax: (435) 649-5959
Email: hanna@wdlawfirm.com
- and -
Gary K. Burger, Esq.
BURGER LAW FIRM, LLC
500 N. Broadway, Suite 1860
St. Louis, MO 63102
Tel: (314) 542-2222
Fax: (314) 542-2229
Email: gary@burgerlaw.com
MANTECH INT'L: Faces Gerken Suit Over Breach of Fiduciary Duties
----------------------------------------------------------------
CHRISTOPHER J. GERKEN, DENNIS KEMP, TRAVIS KNIGHT and ANGELIQUE
PERKINS, individually and on behalf of all others similarly
situated v. MANTECH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF MANTECH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, THE RETIREMENT PLAN
COMMITTEE, and JOHN DOES 1-30, Case No. 3:20-cv-00350-REP (E.D.
Va., May 15, 2020), is brought against the Defendants pursuant to
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 for breaches of
their fiduciary duties.
The Plaintiffs allege that the Defendants as fiduciaries of the
ManTech International 401(k) Plan, breached the duties they owed to
the Plan, to the Plaintiffs, and to the other participants of the
Plan by failing to objectively and adequately review the Plan's
investment portfolio with due care to ensure that each investment
option was prudent, in terms of cost; and maintaining certain funds
in the Plan despite the availability of identical
or similar investment options with lower costs and/or better
performance histories.
According to the complaint, the Defendants' mismanagement of the
Plan, to the detriment of participants and beneficiaries,
constitutes a breach of the fiduciary duties of prudence and
loyalty, in violation of 29 U.S.C. Section 1104. The Defendants'
actions were contrary to actions of a reasonable fiduciary and cost
the Plan and its participants millions of dollars, the Plaintiffs
add.
ManTech established the 401(k) Plan to help employees meet their
savings goals as a way of providing them with the funds for
retirement. The Plan is a "defined contribution" or "individual
account" plan within the meaning of ERISA, in that the Plan
provides for individual accounts for each participant and for
benefits based solely upon the amount contributed to those
accounts, and any income, expense, gains and losses, and any
forfeitures of accounts of the participants which may be allocated
to such participant's account. Consequently, retirement benefits
provided by the Plan are based solely on the amounts allocated to
each individual's account.
ManTech describes itself as a multibillion-dollar public company
that provides innovation, adaptability and critical thinking the
government needs for success in defense, intelligence, law
enforcement, science, administration, health and other fields
throughout the nation and in many countries around the world.[BN]
The Plaintiffs are represented by:
Charles L. Williams, Esq.
WILLIAMS & SKILLING, P.C.
7104 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Suite 204
Mechanicsville, VA 23111
Telephone: (804) 447-0307
Facsimile: (804) 447-0367
E-mail: cwilliams@williamsandskilling.com
- and -
Mark K. Gyandoh, Esq.
Donald R. Reavey, Esq.
CAPOZZI ADLER, P.C.
312 Old Lancaster Road
Merion Station, PA 19066
Telephone: (610) 890-0200
Facsimile: (717) 233-4103
E-mail: markg@capozziadler.com
donr@capozziadler.com
MASSACHUSETTS: Class Action Filed on Behalf of Prisoners
--------------------------------------------------------
David Linton, writing for The Sun Chronicle, reports that a class
action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of prisoners, including
three in local state prisons, seeking their release due to the
coronavirus pandemic.
The suit filed by Prisoners Legal Services of Massachusetts seeks
relief for 11 inmates, including two at the Pondville Correctional
Center and one at MCI-Norfolk.
MCI-Norfolk is a medium security prison, and Pondville is minimum
security, and both are in Norfolk.
The suit is separate from the one before the state Supreme Judicial
Court, which ruled certain pretrial inmates could be released but
that it lacked the authority to release prisoners serving
sentences.
On April2 8, the SJC ruled it would not reconsider its April 3
unanimous decision, saying it was up to the executive branch to
commute sentences, issue furloughs or grant early parole.
In the class action suit, filed April 17, Prisoners Legal Services
argues that inmates' rights against cruel and unusual punishment
and due process are being violated in the light of the COVID-19
crisis.
Lawyers for the organization say the state should take steps to
release inmates who are nearing completion of their sentences, have
been approved for parole, have health issues or are civilly
committed for addiction treatment.
Although the organization filed the suit with the SJC on behalf of
11 inmates, they seek to extend it to "all others similarly
situated."
The suit cites the five inmate deaths due to COVID-19 and a rising
number of infections in state prisons and jails among inmates and
staff.
"The Commonwealth's prisons and jails are the perfect incubators
for the disease, threatening to consume vital health care resources
and endangering the general public as well as those incarcerated
and correctional staff," the suit states.
The defendants named include Massachusetts Department of Correction
Commissioner Carol Mici, Massachusetts Parole Board Chair Gloriann
Moroney, Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and
Security Secretary Thomas Turco and Gov. Charlie Baker.
"Unlike other states," the suit states, "Massachusetts officials
have failed to take action to effectuate the release of prisoners
despite their clear authority to do so."
The lawyers argue Baker "has refused to act on his near plenary
emergency powers when it comes to the health and safety of
prisoners, publicly confirming his intention to stick with a
failing status quo."
The defendants have asked that the suit be dismissed and deny
allegations made regarding the health and sanitary conditions at
the facilities.
Baker has declined to commute sentences or order the early release
of prisoners because of the pandemic.
Among the inmates the suit seeks to release is Steven Palladino,
52, an inmate at MCI-Norfolk who, it says, is nearing completion of
a sentence for a non-violent financial crime.
He suffers from insulin-dependent diabetes as well as kidney
disease and has served 8 1/2 years of a 10- to 12-year sentence
followed by a two-year consecutive term, according to the suit.
Another is David Sibnich, a 61-year-old inmate at the Pondville
Correctional Center, who has high-blood pressure and a diagnosis of
probable prostate cancer, according to the suit.
Since 1982, the suit states, he has been serving a life sentence
with parole eligibility for armed robbery and was granted parole
over a year ago.
He was scheduled in March to move to a long-term residential
program in his home state of New York but remains incarcerated.
The other Pondville inmate is Peter Kyriakides, 52, who is
scheduled to be released June 1 after serving a sentence for a
probation violation.
He suffers from asthma and is in a two-inmate cell that is 5-feet
long by 4-feet wide, making it impossible to keep a 6-foot distance
recommended by health professionals, according to the suit. [GN]
MDL 2599: Remand of Abi-Hanna Suit v. Ford to New Jersey Endorsed
-----------------------------------------------------------------
In the case, IN RE: TAKATA AIRBAG PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION.
THIS DOCUMENT RELATES TO ECONOMIC LOSS TRACK CASES. AKRAM
ABI-HANNA, et. al., Plaintiffs, v. FORD MOTOR COMPANY, Defendant,
MDL No. 2599, Master File No. 15-02599-MD-MORENO, Econ. Loss File
No. 14-24009-CV-MORENO, S.D. Fla. Case No. 19-24241-CV-MORENO (S.D.
Fla.), Judge Federico A. Moreno of the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, (i) granted Defendant
Ford's Motion for Suggestion of Remand, filed on Jan. 21, 2020; and
(ii) suggested to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
that the named case be remanded to the U.S. District Court for the
District of New Jersey.
In December 2018, the Court entered a Final Order that approved a
$299 million class settlement with Ford and that certified the
settlement class. The Court attached to the Final Order an exhibit
that listed more than 3,500 persons and entities who opted out of
the settlement class. A significant number of these "opt-outs"
reorganized by state and in the summer of 2019 began filing "group
action" complaints against Ford across more than 20 states.
Ford subsequently filed Notices of Potential Tag-Along Actions with
the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ("JPML") for each
group action. After receiving no objections to transfer, the JPML
transferred each group action to the Court for consolidated
pretrial proceedings. Once the transfers completed, Ford filed
motions to dismiss for each group action. Then -- despite having
not objected to the JPML's Conditional Transfer Orders for each
group action -- Ford filed the underlying motion, which asks the
Court to suggest to the JPML that each group action should actually
be remanded to its respective transferor court.
Meanwhile, the Plaintiffs -- who, despite opting out of the $299
million settlement that was reached as a result of consolidated
pretrial proceedings -- now want to litigate their renewed claims
against Ford in consolidated pretrial proceedings, arguing that the
Court is in the best position to make pretrial rulings and expedite
a disposition of the litigation.
After reviewing the Motion for Suggestion of Remand, the
Opposition, the Reply, and hearing from counsel during the Jan. 23,
2020 status conference, Judge Moreno now decides whether the named
group action should be recommended for remand. In so deciding, he
analyzes the group actions collectively.
Judge Moreno finds that it is actually the parties that are in the
unique position to facilitate a resolution of the lawsuits without
the need for trials. And indeed, it appears to the Court that a
settlement was already reached in a California based group action
before transfer to the MDL proceeding was ever initiated. Thus,
the parties have already proven their ability to meaningfully work
through issues without the need for centralized proceedings.
Notably, when considering whether to transfer cases for
consolidated pretrial proceedings, the JPML has factored into its
decisions the extent of practicable informal cooperation between
counsel. In short, then, the Judge finds that the informal
cooperation already demonstrated by the counsel in these group
actions weighs in favor of remand.
The Judge now assesses the extent to which the group actions raise
common discovery issues and common legal claims, both amongst each
other and when compared to the class actions currently being
litigated in the MDL proceeding. The Plaintiffs maintain that the
group actions should remain in the Court for consolidated pretrial
proceedings. On the other hand, Ford contends that common
liability discovery is complete and thus no meaningful efficiencies
will be created by consolidation of these cases into the MDL.
The Court finds that discovery will be needed to determine, at
minimum, when and where each plaintiff purchased or leased their
vehicle, whether each plaintiff transacted with Ford or an
authorized Ford dealer, and potentially whether each plaintiff
relied on alleged misrepresentations when purchasing or leasing
their vehicle. The discovery is case specific. It has no relation
to the common liability discovery into Ford that was completed
earlier in the MDL proceeding; it also has no relation to the
discovery currently ongoing into several other automotive
manufacturers named in the consolidated class action complaints.
For these reasons, the Judge finds that because remaining discovery
is case specific, this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
In addition to remaining discovery being case specific, there is
also a dearth of common legal issues because each group action
asserts state specific claims. Accordingly, the Judge finds that
this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
Ultimately, Judge Moreno agrees with the Plaintiffs that
consolidated pretrial proceedings would convenience the parties and
their counsel. But because the bulk of remaining discovery and the
legal claims in each group action are case specific, and because
common counsel involved in each group action have demonstrated
their ability to cooperate and resolve disputes without court
supervision, he finds that under a totality of the circumstances,
the group actions will not benefit from coordinated pretrial
proceedings as part of the MDL.
For all these reasons, Judge Moreno granted the Motion for
Suggestion of Remand. The Judge respectfully suggested to the
Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation that the named case be
remanded to the U.S. District Court for the District of New
Jersey.
A full-text copy of Judge Moreno's Feb. 28, 2020 Order is available
at https://is.gd/67pdqA from Leagle.com.
Takata Airbag Products Liability Litigation, In Re, represented by
Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- at Covington &
Burling, LLP
Daniel S. Silva, James Herron, Leslie Flaherty, Holly Ruth, M&K
Used Auto Parts, Inc., Robert Barto, John Meiser, Charles & Vickie
Burd Plaintiffs, Charles & Dana Talamantes, Eugennie Sinclair,
Quarnos Auto Salvage, Daniel Thies, Camila G. Corteleti, Rigsby's
Auto Parts & Sales, Inc., Darla Spies, Vickie Burd, Dana
Talamantes, Alicia Benton, Justin S. Birdsall, Loren Petersen,
Eric Rosson, Teresa Woodard, Plaintiffs, represented by Peter
Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Mary Hasley, Megan Sayre-Scibona, Pamela Wilsey, Doreen Dembeck,
Helen Klemer, Lisa Peterson, Plaintiffs, represented by Brian
Morrison -- bmorrison@labaton.com -- Daniel R. Leathers -- at
Labaton Sucharow, LLP; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Regina M. Reilly, Rebecca Lew, Carla Thompson, Plaintiffs,
represented by W. Daniel Miles, III -- dee.miles@beasleyallen.com
-- Archie I. Grubb, II -- archie.grubb@beasleyallen.com -- H. Clay
Barnett -- clay.barnett@beasleyallen.com -- at Beasley Allen Crow
Methvin Portis & Miles; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Plaintiffs Lead Counsel, Plaintiff, represented by Peter Prieto --
pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; Curtis Bradley
Miner -- curt@colson.com -- Stephanie Anne Casey --
scasey@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Gurinder Dhillon, Plaintiff, represented by Curtis Bradley Miner -
- curt@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Craig Dunn, Consol Plaintiff, represented by Aaron Samuel Podhurst
-- apodhurst@podhurst.com -- John Gravante, III --
jgravante@podhurst.com -- Matthew Weinshall --
mweinshall@podhurst.com -- Stephen Frederick Rosenthal --
srosenthal@podhurst.com -- Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com --
at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; David Fernandes --
dfernandes@baronbudd.com -- J. Burton LeBlanc -- Mark Pifko --
mpifko@baronbudd.com -- Pablo Orozco -- Roland Tellis --
rtellis@baronbudd.com -- at Baron & Budd, PC; Michael P. Thornton
-- mthornton@tenlaw.com -- at Thornton Law Firm, LLP; Eric D.
Gottlieb -- egottlieb@labaton.com -- Gregory S. Asciolla --
gasciolla@labaton.com -- Katherine R. Ryan -- Lawrence A. Sucharow
-- lsucharow@labaton.com -- Martis Alex -- Michael W. Stocker --
mstocker@labaton.com -- Robin A. van der Meulen --
rvandermeulen@labaton.com -- at Labaton Sucharow LLP
FCA US LLC, Defendant, represented by Martin Leonard Steinberg --
marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Scott M. Sarason -- ssarason@rumberger.com
-- at Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell
Inflation Systems Inc., Defendant, represented by Stephen J.
Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
General Motors LLC, Defendant, represented by Laurie Michele Riley
-- lriley@joneswalker.com -- at Jones Walker LLP; Leonid Feller --
leonid.feller@kirkland.com -- Renee D. Smith --
renee.smith@kirkland.com -- at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP
Takata Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by Brian O.
Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore & Henderson,
PA; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; Keith A. Teel --
kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com -- Lanny A.
Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- Paul W.
Schmidt -- pschmidt@cov.com -- at Covington & Burling, LLP;
Phillippa V. Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton,
Egan, Jones & Sweeney, LLP; T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.
TK Holdings, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by Alex P.
Tilling -- atilling@leakeandersson.com -- Cristin Fitzgerald
Bordelon -- Jerry L. Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com --
at Leake & Anderson LLP; Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent
-- ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor,
LLP; Brian O. Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore
& Henderson, PA; Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- Keith
A. Teel -- kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com --
Lanny A. Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- at Covington
& Burling, LLP; Christopher J. York -- at McGahren Gaskill & York,
LLC; Cynthia A. Hawkins -- Cynthia@CynthiaHawkinsLaw.com -- at Law
Office of Cynthia Hawkins; Damien Arthur Orato --
dorato@rumberger.com -- Lena Marguerite Mirilovic --
lmirilovic@rumberger.com -- Michael Daniel Begey --
mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers Culley --
sculley@rumberger.com -- William L. Kirk, Jr. -- at Rumberger,
Kirk & Caldwell; Daniel John Kissan -- daniel.kissane@csklegal.com
-- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice; Garth Thomas Yearick --
gyearick@carltonfields.com -- Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- Thomas Meeks --
tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.;
Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Loren William
Fender -- loren.fender@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda
Cardenas-Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke LLP; Matthew J. Stanczyk --
mstanczyk@plunkettcooney.com -- at Plunkett Cooney; Phillippa V.
Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton, Egan, Jones &
Sweeney, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod; Robert J. Hoffman --
rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP; Sterling Gardner
Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at Rogers & Hardin, LLP;
William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliff
Highland Industries, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor;
Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at Womble Carlyle Sandridge &
Rice; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Jerry L.
Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com -- at Leake & Anderson
LLP; Lena Marguerite Mirilovic -- lmirilovic@rumberger.com --
Michael Daniel Begey -- mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers
Culley -- sculley@rumberger.com -- Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell;
Robert J. Hoffman -- rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP;
Sterling Gardner Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at
Rogers & Hardin, LLP; William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington &
Sutcliff; Stephen J. Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com --
Thomas Meeks -- tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
Honda Motor Company, LTD, Consol Defendant, represented by Adam P.
Micale -- amicale@sidley.com -- Alexis Rollins Dunton --
adunton@sidley.com -- Amanda Farfel -- afarfel@sidley.com --
Andrew J. Chinsky -- achinsky@sidley.com -- Darlene M. Cho --
dcho@sidley.com -- Kristen E. Rau -- at Sidley Austin, LLP; Joel
H. Smith -- joel.smith@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Matthew Brooks
Miller -- brooks.miller@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman & Brooke,
LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com
-- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod
American Honda Co., Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Courtney Crook Shytle -- courtney.shytle@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke; Daniel John Kissane --
daniel.kissane@csklegal.com -- Thomas E. Scott, Jr. --
thomas.scott@csklegal.com -- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Ellyce R.
Cooper -- ecooper@sidley.com -- Eric S. Mattson --
emattson@sidley.com -- Mark Douglas Campbell --
mcampbell@sidley.com -- Michael C. Andolina --
mandolina@sidley.com -- Michael L. Mallow -- mmallow@sidley.com --
Sean A. Commons -- scommons@sidley.com -- Catherine Valerio Barrad
-- at Sidley Austin LLP
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Consol Defendant, represented by
Jessica Farley -- jessica.farley@nortonrosefulbright.com -- Steven
D. Jansma -- steven.jansma@nortonrosefulbright.com -- at Norton
Rose Fulbright US LLP
BMW of North America, LLC and BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC, Consol
Defendants, represented by Christopher J. Dalton --
christopher.dalton@bipc.com -- Rosemary Joan Bruno --
rosemary.bruno@bipc.com -- Jesse H. Diner -- jesse.diner@bipc.com
-- Stephen Carey Villeneuve -- carey.villeneuve@bipc.com -- at
Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, PC; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod; Eric Y. Kizirian -- Eric.Kizirian@lewisbrisbois.com --
Jeffrey Arthur Mowers -- Jeffrey.Mowers@lewisbrisbois.com --
Michael Keith Grimaldi -- Michael.Grimaldi@lewisbrisbois.com -- at
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard and Smith, LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -
- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Jeffrey T. Gorcyca -- jeffrey.gorcyca@bowmanandbrooke.com --
Matthew G. Berard -- matthew.berard@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Thomas
P. Branigan -- tom.branigan@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP; Philip Semprevivo, Jr. --
Philip.Semprevivo@lawbhs.com -- at Biedermann Hoenig-Semprevivo;
Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis &
Bockius LLP
Toyota Motor Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Derek S.
Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew --
etew@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; Michiko A. Brown
-- brown@wtotrial.com -- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com
-- at Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell, LLP; Robert Mark Brochin --
bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis & Bockius; John Carl
Seipp, Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering &
Manufacturing North America, Inc. Consol Defendants, represented
by Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com --
at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom --
mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod;
Kimberly A. Cook -- kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick
LLP; Derek S. Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew
-- etew@dykema.com -- Terri Steinhaus Reiskin --
treiskin@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; John Carl Seipp,
Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Donald Arthur Blackwell -
- don.blackwell@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda Cardenas-
Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke LLP; Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -
- at Lewis & Bockius LLP; Michiko A. Brown -- brown@wtotrial.com -
- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com -- at Wheeler Trigg
O'Donnell, LLP; Mark N. Bodin -- mbodin@mcglinchey.com -- Sarah
Elizabeth McMillan -- semcmillan@mcglinchey.com -- at McGlinchey
Stafford, PLLC
Chrysler Group LLC, Consol Defendant, represented by Armando
Gustavo Hernandez -- ahernandez@rumberger.com -- Scott M. Sarason
-- ssarason@rumberger.com -- at Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell, PA;
John W. Rogers -- at Coburn, LLP.
MDL 2599: Remand of Allen Suit v. Ford to Mississippi Endorsed
--------------------------------------------------------------
In the case, IN RE: TAKATA AIRBAG PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION.
THIS DOCUMENT RELATES TO ECONOMIC LOSS TRACK CASES. MARTIN ALLEN,
et. al., Plaintiffs, v. FORD MOTOR COMPANY, Defendant, MDL No.
2599, Master File No. 15-02599-MD-MORENO, Econ. Loss File No.
14-24009-CV-MORENO, S.D. Fla. Case No. 19-25006-CV-MORENO (S.D.
Fla.), Judge Federico A. Moreno of the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, (i) granted Defendant
Ford's Motion for Suggestion of Remand, filed on Jan. 21, 2020; and
(ii) suggested to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
that the named case be remanded to the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of Mississippi.
In December 2018, the Court entered a Final Order that approved a
$299 million class settlement with Ford and that certified the
settlement class. The Court attached to the Final Order an exhibit
that listed more than 3,500 persons and entities who opted out of
the settlement class. A significant number of these "opt-outs"
reorganized by state and in the summer of 2019 began filing "group
action" complaints against Ford across more than 20 states.
Ford subsequently filed Notices of Potential Tag-Along Actions with
the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ("JPML") for each
group action. After receiving no objections to transfer, the JPML
transferred each group action to the Court for consolidated
pretrial proceedings. Once the transfers completed, Ford filed
motions to dismiss for each group action. Then -- despite having
not objected to the JPML's Conditional Transfer Orders for each
group action -- Ford filed the underlying motion, which asks the
Court to suggest to the JPML that each group action should actually
be remanded to its respective transferor court.
Meanwhile, the Plaintiffs -- who, despite opting out of the $299
million settlement that was reached as a result of consolidated
pretrial proceedings -- now want to litigate their renewed claims
against Ford in consolidated pretrial proceedings, arguing that the
Court is in the best position to make pretrial rulings and expedite
a disposition of the litigation.
After reviewing the Motion for Suggestion of Remand, the
Opposition, the Reply, and hearing from counsel during the Jan. 23,
2020 status conference, Judge Moreno now decides whether the named
group action should be recommended for remand. In so deciding, he
analyzes the group actions collectively.
The Judge finds that it is actually the parties that are in the
unique position to facilitate a resolution of the lawsuits without
the need for trials. And indeed, it appears to the Court that a
settlement was already reached in a California based group action
before transfer to the MDL proceeding was ever initiated. Thus,
the parties have already proven their ability to meaningfully work
through issues without the need for centralized proceedings.
Notably, when considering whether to transfer cases for
consolidated pretrial proceedings, the JPML has factored into its
decisions the extent of practicable informal cooperation between
counsel. In short, then, the Judge finds that the informal
cooperation already demonstrated by the counsel in these group
actions weighs in favor of remand.
The Judge now assesses the extent to which the group actions raise
common discovery issues and common legal claims, both amongst each
other and when compared to the class actions currently being
litigated in the MDL proceeding. The Plaintiffs maintain that the
group actions should remain in the Court for consolidated pretrial
proceedings. On the other hand, Ford contends that common
liability discovery is complete and thus no meaningful efficiencies
will be created by consolidation of these cases into the MDL.
The Judge finds that discovery will be needed to determine, at
minimum, when and where each plaintiff purchased or leased their
vehicle, whether each plaintiff transacted with Ford or an
authorized Ford dealer, and potentially whether each plaintiff
relied on alleged misrepresentations when purchasing or leasing
their vehicle. The discovery is case specific. It has no relation
to the common liability discovery into Ford that was completed
earlier in the MDL proceeding; it also has no relation to the
discovery currently ongoing into several other automotive
manufacturers named in the consolidated class action complaints.
For these reasons, the Judge finds that because remaining discovery
is case specific, this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
In addition to remaining discovery being case specific, there is
also a dearth of common legal issues because each group action
asserts state specific claims. Accordingly, the Judge finds that
this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
Ultimately, Judge Moreno agrees with the Plaintiffs that
consolidated pretrial proceedings would convenience the parties and
their counsel. But because the bulk of remaining discovery and the
legal claims in each group action are case specific, and because
common counsel involved in each group action have demonstrated
their ability to cooperate and resolve disputes without court
supervision, the Judge finds that under a totality of the
circumstances, the group actions will not benefit from coordinated
pretrial proceedings as part of the MDL.
For all these reasons, Judge Moreno granted the Motion for
Suggestion of Remand. The Judge respectfully suggested to the
Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation that the named case be
remanded to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of
Mississippi.
A full-text copy of Judge Moreno's Feb. 28, 2020 Order is available
at https://is.gd/wuO0EC from Leagle.com.
Takata Airbag Products Liability Litigation, In Re, represented by
Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- at Covington &
Burling, LLP
Daniel S. Silva, James Herron, Leslie Flaherty, Holly Ruth, M&K
Used Auto Parts, Inc., Robert Barto, John Meiser, Charles & Vickie
Burd Plaintiffs, Charles & Dana Talamantes, Eugennie Sinclair,
Quarnos Auto Salvage, Daniel Thies, Camila G. Corteleti, Rigsby's
Auto Parts & Sales, Inc., Darla Spies, Vickie Burd, Dana
Talamantes, Alicia Benton, Justin S. Birdsall, Loren Petersen,
Eric Rosson, Teresa Woodard, Plaintiffs, represented by Peter
Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Mary Hasley, Megan Sayre-Scibona, Pamela Wilsey, Doreen Dembeck,
Helen Klemer, Lisa Peterson, Plaintiffs, represented by Brian
Morrison -- bmorrison@labaton.com -- Daniel R. Leathers -- at
Labaton Sucharow, LLP; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Regina M. Reilly, Rebecca Lew, Carla Thompson, Plaintiffs,
represented by W. Daniel Miles, III -- dee.miles@beasleyallen.com
-- Archie I. Grubb, II -- archie.grubb@beasleyallen.com -- H. Clay
Barnett -- clay.barnett@beasleyallen.com -- at Beasley Allen Crow
Methvin Portis & Miles; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Plaintiffs Lead Counsel, Plaintiff, represented by Peter Prieto --
pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; Curtis Bradley
Miner -- curt@colson.com -- Stephanie Anne Casey --
scasey@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Gurinder Dhillon, Plaintiff, represented by Curtis Bradley Miner -
- curt@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Craig Dunn, Consol Plaintiff, represented by Aaron Samuel Podhurst
-- apodhurst@podhurst.com -- John Gravante, III --
jgravante@podhurst.com -- Matthew Weinshall --
mweinshall@podhurst.com -- Stephen Frederick Rosenthal --
srosenthal@podhurst.com -- Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com --
at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; David Fernandes --
dfernandes@baronbudd.com -- J. Burton LeBlanc -- Mark Pifko --
mpifko@baronbudd.com -- Pablo Orozco -- Roland Tellis --
rtellis@baronbudd.com -- at Baron & Budd, PC; Michael P. Thornton
-- mthornton@tenlaw.com -- at Thornton Law Firm, LLP; Eric D.
Gottlieb -- egottlieb@labaton.com -- Gregory S. Asciolla --
gasciolla@labaton.com -- Katherine R. Ryan -- Lawrence A. Sucharow
-- lsucharow@labaton.com -- Martis Alex -- Michael W. Stocker --
mstocker@labaton.com -- Robin A. van der Meulen --
rvandermeulen@labaton.com -- at Labaton Sucharow LLP
FCA US LLC, Defendant, represented by Martin Leonard Steinberg --
marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Scott M. Sarason -- ssarason@rumberger.com
-- at Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell
Inflation Systems Inc., Defendant, represented by Stephen J.
Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
General Motors LLC, Defendant, represented by Laurie Michele Riley
-- lriley@joneswalker.com -- at Jones Walker LLP; Leonid Feller --
leonid.feller@kirkland.com -- Renee D. Smith --
renee.smith@kirkland.com -- at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP
Takata Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by Brian O.
Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore & Henderson,
PA; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; Keith A. Teel --
kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com -- Lanny A.
Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- Paul W.
Schmidt -- pschmidt@cov.com -- at Covington & Burling, LLP;
Phillippa V. Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton,
Egan, Jones & Sweeney, LLP; T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.
TK Holdings, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by Alex P.
Tilling -- atilling@leakeandersson.com -- Cristin Fitzgerald
Bordelon -- Jerry L. Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com --
at Leake & Anderson LLP; Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent
-- ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor,
LLP; Brian O. Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore
& Henderson, PA; Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- Keith
A. Teel -- kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com --
Lanny A. Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- at Covington
& Burling, LLP; Christopher J. York -- at McGahren Gaskill & York,
LLC; Cynthia A. Hawkins -- Cynthia@CynthiaHawkinsLaw.com -- at Law
Office of Cynthia Hawkins; Damien Arthur Orato --
dorato@rumberger.com -- Lena Marguerite Mirilovic --
lmirilovic@rumberger.com -- Michael Daniel Begey --
mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers Culley --
sculley@rumberger.com -- William L. Kirk, Jr. -- at Rumberger,
Kirk & Caldwell; Daniel John Kissan -- daniel.kissane@csklegal.com
-- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice; Garth Thomas Yearick --
gyearick@carltonfields.com -- Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- Thomas Meeks --
tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.;
Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Loren William
Fender -- loren.fender@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda
Cardenas-Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke LLP; Matthew J. Stanczyk --
mstanczyk@plunkettcooney.com -- at Plunkett Cooney; Phillippa V.
Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton, Egan, Jones &
Sweeney, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod; Robert J. Hoffman --
rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP; Sterling Gardner
Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at Rogers & Hardin, LLP;
William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliff
Highland Industries, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor;
Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at Womble Carlyle Sandridge &
Rice; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Jerry L.
Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com -- at Leake & Anderson
LLP; Lena Marguerite Mirilovic -- lmirilovic@rumberger.com --
Michael Daniel Begey -- mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers
Culley -- sculley@rumberger.com -- Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell;
Robert J. Hoffman -- rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP;
Sterling Gardner Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at
Rogers & Hardin, LLP; William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington &
Sutcliff; Stephen J. Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com --
Thomas Meeks -- tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
Honda Motor Company, LTD, Consol Defendant, represented by Adam P.
Micale -- amicale@sidley.com -- Alexis Rollins Dunton --
adunton@sidley.com -- Amanda Farfel -- afarfel@sidley.com --
Andrew J. Chinsky -- achinsky@sidley.com -- Darlene M. Cho --
dcho@sidley.com -- Kristen E. Rau -- at Sidley Austin, LLP; Joel
H. Smith -- joel.smith@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Matthew Brooks
Miller -- brooks.miller@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman & Brooke,
LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com
-- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod
American Honda Co., Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Courtney Crook Shytle -- courtney.shytle@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke; Daniel John Kissane --
daniel.kissane@csklegal.com -- Thomas E. Scott, Jr. --
thomas.scott@csklegal.com -- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Ellyce R.
Cooper -- ecooper@sidley.com -- Eric S. Mattson --
emattson@sidley.com -- Mark Douglas Campbell --
mcampbell@sidley.com -- Michael C. Andolina --
mandolina@sidley.com -- Michael L. Mallow -- mmallow@sidley.com --
Sean A. Commons -- scommons@sidley.com -- Catherine Valerio Barrad
-- at Sidley Austin LLP
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Consol Defendant, represented by
Jessica Farley -- jessica.farley@nortonrosefulbright.com -- Steven
D. Jansma -- steven.jansma@nortonrosefulbright.com -- at Norton
Rose Fulbright US LLP
BMW of North America, LLC and BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC, Consol
Defendants, represented by Christopher J. Dalton --
christopher.dalton@bipc.com -- Rosemary Joan Bruno --
rosemary.bruno@bipc.com -- Jesse H. Diner -- jesse.diner@bipc.com
-- Stephen Carey Villeneuve -- carey.villeneuve@bipc.com -- at
Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, PC; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod; Eric Y. Kizirian -- Eric.Kizirian@lewisbrisbois.com --
Jeffrey Arthur Mowers -- Jeffrey.Mowers@lewisbrisbois.com --
Michael Keith Grimaldi -- Michael.Grimaldi@lewisbrisbois.com -- at
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard and Smith, LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -
- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Jeffrey T. Gorcyca -- jeffrey.gorcyca@bowmanandbrooke.com --
Matthew G. Berard -- matthew.berard@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Thomas
P. Branigan -- tom.branigan@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP; Philip Semprevivo, Jr. --
Philip.Semprevivo@lawbhs.com -- at Biedermann Hoenig-Semprevivo;
Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis &
Bockius LLP
Toyota Motor Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Derek S.
Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew --
etew@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; Michiko A. Brown
-- brown@wtotrial.com -- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com
-- at Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell, LLP; Robert Mark Brochin --
bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis & Bockius; John Carl
Seipp, Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering &
Manufacturing North America, Inc. Consol Defendants, represented
by Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com --
at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom --
mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod;
Kimberly A. Cook -- kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick
LLP; Derek S. Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew
-- etew@dykema.com -- Terri Steinhaus Reiskin --
treiskin@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; John Carl Seipp,
Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Donald Arthur Blackwell -
- don.blackwell@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda Cardenas-
Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke LLP; Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -
- at Lewis & Bockius LLP; Michiko A. Brown -- brown@wtotrial.com -
- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com -- at Wheeler Trigg
O'Donnell, LLP; Mark N. Bodin -- mbodin@mcglinchey.com -- Sarah
Elizabeth McMillan -- semcmillan@mcglinchey.com -- at McGlinchey
Stafford, PLLC
Chrysler Group LLC, Consol Defendant, represented by Armando
Gustavo Hernandez -- ahernandez@rumberger.com -- Scott M. Sarason
-- ssarason@rumberger.com -- at Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell, PA;
John W. Rogers -- at Coburn, LLP
MDL 2599: Remand of Arvin Suit v. Ford to Indiana Endorsed
----------------------------------------------------------
In the case, IN RE: TAKATA AIRBAG PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION.
THIS DOCUMENT RELATES TO ECONOMIC LOSS TRACK CASES. KAREN ARVIN,
et. al., Plaintiffs, v. FORD MOTOR COMPANY, Defendant, MDL No.
2599, Master File No. 15-02599-MD-MORENO, Econ. Loss File No.
14-24009-CV-MORENO, S.D. Fla. Case No. 19-25002-CV-MORENO (S.D.
Fla.), Judge Federico A. Moreno of the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, (i) granted Defendant
Ford's Motion for Suggestion of Remand, filed on Jan. 21, 2020; and
(ii) suggested to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
that the named case be remanded to the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of Indiana.
In December 2018, the Court entered a Final Order that approved a
$299 million class settlement with Ford and that certified the
settlement class. The Court attached to the Final Order an exhibit
that listed more than 3,500 persons and entities who opted out of
the settlement class. A significant number of these "opt-outs"
reorganized by state and in the summer of 2019 began filing "group
action" complaints against Ford across more than 20 states.
Ford subsequently filed Notices of Potential Tag-Along Actions with
the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ("JPML") for each
group action. After receiving no objections to transfer, the JPML
transferred each group action to the Court for consolidated
pretrial proceedings. Once the transfers completed, Ford filed
motions to dismiss for each group action. Then -- despite having
not objected to the JPML's Conditional Transfer Orders for each
group action -- Ford filed the underlying motion, which asks the
Court to suggest to the JPML that each group action should actually
be remanded to its respective transferor court.
Meanwhile, the Plaintiffs -- who, despite opting out of the $299
million settlement that was reached as a result of consolidated
pretrial proceedings -- now want to litigate their renewed claims
against Ford in consolidated pretrial proceedings, arguing that the
Court is in the best position to make pretrial rulings and expedite
a disposition of the litigation.
After reviewing the Motion for Suggestion of Remand, the
Opposition, the Reply, and hearing from counsel during the Jan. 23,
2020 status conference, Judge Moreno now decides whether the named
group action should be recommended for remand. In so deciding, the
Judge analyzes the group actions collectively.
The Judge finds that it is actually the parties that are in the
unique position to facilitate a resolution of the lawsuits without
the need for trials. And indeed, it appears to the Court that a
settlement was already reached in a California based group action
before transfer to the MDL proceeding was ever initiated. Thus,
the parties have already proven their ability to meaningfully work
through issues without the need for centralized proceedings.
Notably, when considering whether to transfer cases for
consolidated pretrial proceedings, the JPML has factored into its
decisions the extent of practicable informal cooperation between
counsel. In short, then, the Judge finds that the informal
cooperation already demonstrated by the counsel in these group
actions weighs in favor of remand.
The Judge now assesses the extent to which the group actions raise
common discovery issues and common legal claims, both amongst each
other and when compared to the class actions currently being
litigated in the MDL proceeding. The Plaintiffs maintain that the
group actions should remain in the Court for consolidated pretrial
proceedings. On the other hand, Ford contends that common
liability discovery is complete and thus no meaningful efficiencies
will be created by consolidation of these cases into the MDL.
The Judge finds that discovery will be needed to determine, at
minimum, when and where each plaintiff purchased or leased their
vehicle, whether each plaintiff transacted with Ford or an
authorized Ford dealer, and potentially whether each plaintiff
relied on alleged misrepresentations when purchasing or leasing
their vehicle. The discovery is case specific. It has no relation
to the common liability discovery into Ford that was completed
earlier in the MDL proceeding; it also has no relation to the
discovery currently ongoing into several other automotive
manufacturers named in the consolidated class action complaints.
For these reasons, the Judge finds that because remaining discovery
is case specific, this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
In addition to remaining discovery being case specific, there is
also a dearth of common legal issues because each group action
asserts state specific claims. Accordingly, the Judge finds that
this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
Ultimately, Judge Moreno agrees with the Plaintiffs that
consolidated pretrial proceedings would convenience the parties and
their counsel. But because the bulk of remaining discovery and the
legal claims in each group action are case specific, and because
common counsel involved in each group action have demonstrated
their ability to cooperate and resolve disputes without court
supervision, the Judge finds that under a totality of the
circumstances, the group actions will not benefit from coordinated
pretrial proceedings as part of the MDL.
For all these reasons, Judge Moreno granted the Motion for
Suggestion of Remand. The Judge respectfully suggested to the
Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation that the named case be
remanded to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of
Indiana.
A full-text copy of Judge Moreno's Feb. 28, 2020 Order is available
at https://is.gd/oM62BQ from Leagle.com.
Takata Airbag Products Liability Litigation, In Re, represented by
Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- at Covington &
Burling, LLP
Daniel S. Silva, James Herron, Leslie Flaherty, Holly Ruth, M&K
Used Auto Parts, Inc., Robert Barto, John Meiser, Charles & Vickie
Burd Plaintiffs, Charles & Dana Talamantes, Eugennie Sinclair,
Quarnos Auto Salvage, Daniel Thies, Camila G. Corteleti, Rigsby's
Auto Parts & Sales, Inc., Darla Spies, Vickie Burd, Dana
Talamantes, Alicia Benton, Justin S. Birdsall, Loren Petersen,
Eric Rosson, Teresa Woodard, Plaintiffs, represented by Peter
Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Mary Hasley, Megan Sayre-Scibona, Pamela Wilsey, Doreen Dembeck,
Helen Klemer, Lisa Peterson, Plaintiffs, represented by Brian
Morrison -- bmorrison@labaton.com -- Daniel R. Leathers -- at
Labaton Sucharow, LLP; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Regina M. Reilly, Rebecca Lew, Carla Thompson, Plaintiffs,
represented by W. Daniel Miles, III -- dee.miles@beasleyallen.com
-- Archie I. Grubb, II -- archie.grubb@beasleyallen.com -- H. Clay
Barnett -- clay.barnett@beasleyallen.com -- at Beasley Allen Crow
Methvin Portis & Miles; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Plaintiffs Lead Counsel, Plaintiff, represented by Peter Prieto --
pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; Curtis Bradley
Miner -- curt@colson.com -- Stephanie Anne Casey --
scasey@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Gurinder Dhillon, Plaintiff, represented by Curtis Bradley Miner -
- curt@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Craig Dunn, Consol Plaintiff, represented by Aaron Samuel Podhurst
-- apodhurst@podhurst.com -- John Gravante, III --
jgravante@podhurst.com -- Matthew Weinshall --
mweinshall@podhurst.com -- Stephen Frederick Rosenthal --
srosenthal@podhurst.com -- Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com --
at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; David Fernandes --
dfernandes@baronbudd.com -- J. Burton LeBlanc -- Mark Pifko --
mpifko@baronbudd.com -- Pablo Orozco -- Roland Tellis --
rtellis@baronbudd.com -- at Baron & Budd, PC; Michael P. Thornton
-- mthornton@tenlaw.com -- at Thornton Law Firm, LLP; Eric D.
Gottlieb -- egottlieb@labaton.com -- Gregory S. Asciolla --
gasciolla@labaton.com -- Katherine R. Ryan -- Lawrence A. Sucharow
-- lsucharow@labaton.com -- Martis Alex -- Michael W. Stocker --
mstocker@labaton.com -- Robin A. van der Meulen --
rvandermeulen@labaton.com -- at Labaton Sucharow LLP
FCA US LLC, Defendant, represented by Martin Leonard Steinberg --
marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Scott M. Sarason -- ssarason@rumberger.com
-- at Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell
Inflation Systems Inc., Defendant, represented by Stephen J.
Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
General Motors LLC, Defendant, represented by Laurie Michele Riley
-- lriley@joneswalker.com -- at Jones Walker LLP; Leonid Feller --
leonid.feller@kirkland.com -- Renee D. Smith --
renee.smith@kirkland.com -- at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP
Takata Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by Brian O.
Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore & Henderson,
PA; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; Keith A. Teel --
kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com -- Lanny A.
Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- Paul W.
Schmidt -- pschmidt@cov.com -- at Covington & Burling, LLP;
Phillippa V. Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton,
Egan, Jones & Sweeney, LLP; T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.
TK Holdings, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by Alex P.
Tilling -- atilling@leakeandersson.com -- Cristin Fitzgerald
Bordelon -- Jerry L. Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com --
at Leake & Anderson LLP; Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent
-- ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor,
LLP; Brian O. Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore
& Henderson, PA; Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- Keith
A. Teel -- kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com --
Lanny A. Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- at Covington
& Burling, LLP; Christopher J. York -- at McGahren Gaskill & York,
LLC; Cynthia A. Hawkins -- Cynthia@CynthiaHawkinsLaw.com -- at Law
Office of Cynthia Hawkins; Damien Arthur Orato --
dorato@rumberger.com -- Lena Marguerite Mirilovic --
lmirilovic@rumberger.com -- Michael Daniel Begey --
mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers Culley --
sculley@rumberger.com -- William L. Kirk, Jr. -- at Rumberger,
Kirk & Caldwell; Daniel John Kissan -- daniel.kissane@csklegal.com
-- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice; Garth Thomas Yearick --
gyearick@carltonfields.com -- Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- Thomas Meeks --
tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.;
Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Loren William
Fender -- loren.fender@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda
Cardenas-Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke LLP; Matthew J. Stanczyk --
mstanczyk@plunkettcooney.com -- at Plunkett Cooney; Phillippa V.
Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton, Egan, Jones &
Sweeney, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod; Robert J. Hoffman --
rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP; Sterling Gardner
Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at Rogers & Hardin, LLP;
William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliff
Highland Industries, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor;
Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at Womble Carlyle Sandridge &
Rice; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Jerry L.
Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com -- at Leake & Anderson
LLP; Lena Marguerite Mirilovic -- lmirilovic@rumberger.com --
Michael Daniel Begey -- mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers
Culley -- sculley@rumberger.com -- Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell;
Robert J. Hoffman -- rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP;
Sterling Gardner Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at
Rogers & Hardin, LLP; William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington &
Sutcliff; Stephen J. Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com --
Thomas Meeks -- tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
Honda Motor Company, LTD, Consol Defendant, represented by Adam P.
Micale -- amicale@sidley.com -- Alexis Rollins Dunton --
adunton@sidley.com -- Amanda Farfel -- afarfel@sidley.com --
Andrew J. Chinsky -- achinsky@sidley.com -- Darlene M. Cho --
dcho@sidley.com -- Kristen E. Rau -- at Sidley Austin, LLP; Joel
H. Smith -- joel.smith@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Matthew Brooks
Miller -- brooks.miller@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman & Brooke,
LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com
-- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod
American Honda Co., Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Courtney Crook Shytle -- courtney.shytle@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke; Daniel John Kissane --
daniel.kissane@csklegal.com -- Thomas E. Scott, Jr. --
thomas.scott@csklegal.com -- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Ellyce R.
Cooper -- ecooper@sidley.com -- Eric S. Mattson --
emattson@sidley.com -- Mark Douglas Campbell --
mcampbell@sidley.com -- Michael C. Andolina --
mandolina@sidley.com -- Michael L. Mallow -- mmallow@sidley.com --
Sean A. Commons -- scommons@sidley.com -- Catherine Valerio Barrad
-- at Sidley Austin LLP
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Consol Defendant, represented by
Jessica Farley -- jessica.farley@nortonrosefulbright.com -- Steven
D. Jansma -- steven.jansma@nortonrosefulbright.com -- at Norton
Rose Fulbright US LLP
BMW of North America, LLC and BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC, Consol
Defendants, represented by Christopher J. Dalton --
christopher.dalton@bipc.com -- Rosemary Joan Bruno --
rosemary.bruno@bipc.com -- Jesse H. Diner -- jesse.diner@bipc.com
-- Stephen Carey Villeneuve -- carey.villeneuve@bipc.com -- at
Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, PC; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod; Eric Y. Kizirian -- Eric.Kizirian@lewisbrisbois.com --
Jeffrey Arthur Mowers -- Jeffrey.Mowers@lewisbrisbois.com --
Michael Keith Grimaldi -- Michael.Grimaldi@lewisbrisbois.com -- at
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard and Smith, LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -
- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Jeffrey T. Gorcyca -- jeffrey.gorcyca@bowmanandbrooke.com --
Matthew G. Berard -- matthew.berard@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Thomas
P. Branigan -- tom.branigan@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP; Philip Semprevivo, Jr. --
Philip.Semprevivo@lawbhs.com -- at Biedermann Hoenig-Semprevivo;
Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis &
Bockius LLP
Toyota Motor Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Derek S.
Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew --
etew@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; Michiko A. Brown
-- brown@wtotrial.com -- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com
-- at Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell, LLP; Robert Mark Brochin --
bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis & Bockius; John Carl
Seipp, Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering &
Manufacturing North America, Inc. Consol Defendants, represented
by Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com --
at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom --
mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod;
Kimberly A. Cook -- kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick
LLP; Derek S. Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew
-- etew@dykema.com -- Terri Steinhaus Reiskin --
treiskin@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; John Carl Seipp,
Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Donald Arthur Blackwell -
- don.blackwell@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda Cardenas-
Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke LLP; Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -
- at Lewis & Bockius LLP; Michiko A. Brown -- brown@wtotrial.com -
- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com -- at Wheeler Trigg
O'Donnell, LLP; Mark N. Bodin -- mbodin@mcglinchey.com -- Sarah
Elizabeth McMillan -- semcmillan@mcglinchey.com -- at McGlinchey
Stafford, PLLC
Chrysler Group LLC, Consol Defendant, represented by Armando
Gustavo Hernandez -- ahernandez@rumberger.com -- Scott M. Sarason
-- ssarason@rumberger.com -- at Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell, PA;
John W. Rogers -- at Coburn, LLP
MDL 2599: Remand of Bass Suit v. Ford to S.D. Alabama Endorsed
--------------------------------------------------------------
In the case, IN RE: TAKATA AIRBAG PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION.
THIS DOCUMENT RELATES TO ECONOMIC LOSS TRACK CASES. BOBBY BASS, et.
al., Plaintiffs, v. FORD MOTOR COMPANY, Defendant, MDL No. 2599,
Master File No. 15-02599-MD-MORENO, Econ. Loss File No.
14-24009-CV-MORENO, S.D. Fla. Case No. 19-24980-CV-MORENO (S.D.
Fla.), Judge Federico A. Moreno of the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, (i) granted Defendant
Ford's Motion for Suggestion of Remand, filed on Jan. 21, 2020; and
(ii) suggested to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
that the named case be remanded to the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of Alabama.
In December 2018, the Court entered a Final Order that approved a
$299 million class settlement with Ford and that certified the
settlement class. The Court attached to the Final Order an exhibit
that listed more than 3,500 persons and entities who opted out of
the settlement class. A significant number of these "opt-outs"
reorganized by state and in the summer of 2019 began filing "group
action" complaints against Ford across more than 20 states.
Ford subsequently filed Notices of Potential Tag-Along Actions with
the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ("JPML") for each
group action. After receiving no objections to transfer, the JPML
transferred each group action to the Court for consolidated
pretrial proceedings. Once the transfers completed, Ford filed
motions to dismiss for each group action. Then -- despite having
not objected to the JPML's Conditional Transfer Orders for each
group action -- Ford filed the underlying motion, which asks the
Court to suggest to the JPML that each group action should actually
be remanded to its respective transferor court.
Meanwhile, the Plaintiffs -- who, despite opting out of the $299
million settlement that was reached as a result of consolidated
pretrial proceedings -- now want to litigate their renewed claims
against Ford in consolidated pretrial proceedings, arguing that the
Court is in the best position to make pretrial rulings and expedite
a disposition of the litigation.
After reviewing the Motion for Suggestion of Remand, the
Opposition, the Reply, and hearing from counsel during the Jan. 23,
2020 status conference, Judge Moreno now decides whether the named
group action should be recommended for remand. In so deciding, he
analyzes the group actions collectively.
The Judge finds that it is actually the parties that are in the
unique position to facilitate a resolution of the lawsuits without
the need for trials. And indeed, it appears to the Court that a
settlement was already reached in a California based group action
before transfer to the MDL proceeding was ever initiated. Thus,
the parties have already proven their ability to meaningfully work
through issues without the need for centralized proceedings.
Notably, when considering whether to transfer cases for
consolidated pretrial proceedings, the JPML has factored into its
decisions the extent of practicable informal cooperation between
counsel. In short, then, the Judge finds that the informal
cooperation already demonstrated by the counsel in these group
actions weighs in favor of remand.
The Judge now assesses the extent to which the group actions raise
common discovery issues and common legal claims, both amongst each
other and when compared to the class actions currently being
litigated in the MDL proceeding. The Plaintiffs maintain that the
group actions should remain in the Court for consolidated pretrial
proceedings. On the other hand, Ford contends that common
liability discovery is complete and thus no meaningful efficiencies
will be created by consolidation of these cases into the MDL.
The Judge finds that discovery will be needed to determine, at
minimum, when and where each plaintiff purchased or leased their
vehicle, whether each plaintiff transacted with Ford or an
authorized Ford dealer, and potentially whether each plaintiff
relied on alleged misrepresentations when purchasing or leasing
their vehicle. The discovery is case specific. It has no relation
to the common liability discovery into Ford that was completed
earlier in the MDL proceeding; it also has no relation to the
discovery currently ongoing into several other automotive
manufacturers named in the consolidated class action complaints.
For these reasons, the Judge finds that because remaining discovery
is case specific, this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
In addition to remaining discovery being case specific, there is
also a dearth of common legal issues because each group action
asserts state specific claims. Accordingly, the Judge finds that
this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
Ultimately, Judge Moreno agrees with the Plaintiffs that
consolidated pretrial proceedings would convenience the parties and
their counsel. But because the bulk of remaining discovery and the
legal claims in each group action are case specific, and because
common counsel involved in each group action have demonstrated
their ability to cooperate and resolve disputes without court
supervision, the Judge finds that under a totality of the
circumstances, the group actions will not benefit from coordinated
pretrial proceedings as part of the MDL.
For all these reasons, Judge Moreno granted the Motion for
Suggestion of Remand. The Judge respectfully suggested to the
Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation that the named case be
remanded to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of
Alabama.
A full-text copy of Judge Moreno's Feb. 28, 2020 Order is available
at https://is.gd/tdmG1a from Leagle.com.
Takata Airbag Products Liability Litigation, In Re, represented by
Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- at Covington &
Burling, LLP
Daniel S. Silva, James Herron, Leslie Flaherty, Holly Ruth, M&K
Used Auto Parts, Inc., Robert Barto, John Meiser, Charles & Vickie
Burd Plaintiffs, Charles & Dana Talamantes, Eugennie Sinclair,
Quarnos Auto Salvage, Daniel Thies, Camila G. Corteleti, Rigsby's
Auto Parts & Sales, Inc., Darla Spies, Vickie Burd, Dana
Talamantes, Alicia Benton, Justin S. Birdsall, Loren Petersen,
Eric Rosson, Teresa Woodard, Plaintiffs, represented by Peter
Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Mary Hasley, Megan Sayre-Scibona, Pamela Wilsey, Doreen Dembeck,
Helen Klemer, Lisa Peterson, Plaintiffs, represented by Brian
Morrison -- bmorrison@labaton.com -- Daniel R. Leathers -- at
Labaton Sucharow, LLP; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Regina M. Reilly, Rebecca Lew, Carla Thompson, Plaintiffs,
represented by W. Daniel Miles, III -- dee.miles@beasleyallen.com
-- Archie I. Grubb, II -- archie.grubb@beasleyallen.com -- H. Clay
Barnett -- clay.barnett@beasleyallen.com -- at Beasley Allen Crow
Methvin Portis & Miles; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Plaintiffs Lead Counsel, Plaintiff, represented by Peter Prieto --
pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; Curtis Bradley
Miner -- curt@colson.com -- Stephanie Anne Casey --
scasey@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Gurinder Dhillon, Plaintiff, represented by Curtis Bradley Miner -
- curt@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Craig Dunn, Consol Plaintiff, represented by Aaron Samuel Podhurst
-- apodhurst@podhurst.com -- John Gravante, III --
jgravante@podhurst.com -- Matthew Weinshall --
mweinshall@podhurst.com -- Stephen Frederick Rosenthal --
srosenthal@podhurst.com -- Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com --
at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; David Fernandes --
dfernandes@baronbudd.com -- J. Burton LeBlanc -- Mark Pifko --
mpifko@baronbudd.com -- Pablo Orozco -- Roland Tellis --
rtellis@baronbudd.com -- at Baron & Budd, PC; Michael P. Thornton
-- mthornton@tenlaw.com -- at Thornton Law Firm, LLP; Eric D.
Gottlieb -- egottlieb@labaton.com -- Gregory S. Asciolla --
gasciolla@labaton.com -- Katherine R. Ryan -- Lawrence A. Sucharow
-- lsucharow@labaton.com -- Martis Alex -- Michael W. Stocker --
mstocker@labaton.com -- Robin A. van der Meulen --
rvandermeulen@labaton.com -- at Labaton Sucharow LLP
FCA US LLC, Defendant, represented by Martin Leonard Steinberg --
marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Scott M. Sarason -- ssarason@rumberger.com
-- at Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell
Inflation Systems Inc., Defendant, represented by Stephen J.
Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
General Motors LLC, Defendant, represented by Laurie Michele Riley
-- lriley@joneswalker.com -- at Jones Walker LLP; Leonid Feller --
leonid.feller@kirkland.com -- Renee D. Smith --
renee.smith@kirkland.com -- at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP
Takata Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by Brian O.
Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore & Henderson,
PA; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; Keith A. Teel --
kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com -- Lanny A.
Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- Paul W.
Schmidt -- pschmidt@cov.com -- at Covington & Burling, LLP;
Phillippa V. Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton,
Egan, Jones & Sweeney, LLP; T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.
TK Holdings, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by Alex P.
Tilling -- atilling@leakeandersson.com -- Cristin Fitzgerald
Bordelon -- Jerry L. Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com --
at Leake & Anderson LLP; Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent
-- ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor,
LLP; Brian O. Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore
& Henderson, PA; Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- Keith
A. Teel -- kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com --
Lanny A. Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- at Covington
& Burling, LLP; Christopher J. York -- at McGahren Gaskill & York,
LLC; Cynthia A. Hawkins -- Cynthia@CynthiaHawkinsLaw.com -- at Law
Office of Cynthia Hawkins; Damien Arthur Orato --
dorato@rumberger.com -- Lena Marguerite Mirilovic --
lmirilovic@rumberger.com -- Michael Daniel Begey --
mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers Culley --
sculley@rumberger.com -- William L. Kirk, Jr. -- at Rumberger,
Kirk & Caldwell; Daniel John Kissan -- daniel.kissane@csklegal.com
-- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice; Garth Thomas Yearick --
gyearick@carltonfields.com -- Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- Thomas Meeks --
tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.;
Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Loren William
Fender -- loren.fender@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda
Cardenas-Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke LLP; Matthew J. Stanczyk --
mstanczyk@plunkettcooney.com -- at Plunkett Cooney; Phillippa V.
Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton, Egan, Jones &
Sweeney, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod; Robert J. Hoffman --
rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP; Sterling Gardner
Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at Rogers & Hardin, LLP;
William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliff
Highland Industries, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor;
Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at Womble Carlyle Sandridge &
Rice; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Jerry L.
Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com -- at Leake & Anderson
LLP; Lena Marguerite Mirilovic -- lmirilovic@rumberger.com --
Michael Daniel Begey -- mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers
Culley -- sculley@rumberger.com -- Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell;
Robert J. Hoffman -- rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP;
Sterling Gardner Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at
Rogers & Hardin, LLP; William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington &
Sutcliff; Stephen J. Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com --
Thomas Meeks -- tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
Honda Motor Company, LTD, Consol Defendant, represented by Adam P.
Micale -- amicale@sidley.com -- Alexis Rollins Dunton --
adunton@sidley.com -- Amanda Farfel -- afarfel@sidley.com --
Andrew J. Chinsky -- achinsky@sidley.com -- Darlene M. Cho --
dcho@sidley.com -- Kristen E. Rau -- at Sidley Austin, LLP; Joel
H. Smith -- joel.smith@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Matthew Brooks
Miller -- brooks.miller@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman & Brooke,
LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com
-- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod
American Honda Co., Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Courtney Crook Shytle -- courtney.shytle@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke; Daniel John Kissane --
daniel.kissane@csklegal.com -- Thomas E. Scott, Jr. --
thomas.scott@csklegal.com -- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Ellyce R.
Cooper -- ecooper@sidley.com -- Eric S. Mattson --
emattson@sidley.com -- Mark Douglas Campbell --
mcampbell@sidley.com -- Michael C. Andolina --
mandolina@sidley.com -- Michael L. Mallow -- mmallow@sidley.com --
Sean A. Commons -- scommons@sidley.com -- Catherine Valerio Barrad
-- at Sidley Austin LLP
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Consol Defendant, represented by
Jessica Farley -- jessica.farley@nortonrosefulbright.com -- Steven
D. Jansma -- steven.jansma@nortonrosefulbright.com -- at Norton
Rose Fulbright US LLP
BMW of North America, LLC and BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC, Consol
Defendants, represented by Christopher J. Dalton --
christopher.dalton@bipc.com -- Rosemary Joan Bruno --
rosemary.bruno@bipc.com -- Jesse H. Diner -- jesse.diner@bipc.com
-- Stephen Carey Villeneuve -- carey.villeneuve@bipc.com -- at
Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, PC; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod; Eric Y. Kizirian -- Eric.Kizirian@lewisbrisbois.com --
Jeffrey Arthur Mowers -- Jeffrey.Mowers@lewisbrisbois.com --
Michael Keith Grimaldi -- Michael.Grimaldi@lewisbrisbois.com -- at
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard and Smith, LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -
- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Jeffrey T. Gorcyca -- jeffrey.gorcyca@bowmanandbrooke.com --
Matthew G. Berard -- matthew.berard@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Thomas
P. Branigan -- tom.branigan@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP; Philip Semprevivo, Jr. --
Philip.Semprevivo@lawbhs.com -- at Biedermann Hoenig-Semprevivo;
Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis &
Bockius LLP
Toyota Motor Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Derek S.
Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew --
etew@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; Michiko A. Brown
-- brown@wtotrial.com -- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com
-- at Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell, LLP; Robert Mark Brochin --
bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis & Bockius; John Carl
Seipp, Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering &
Manufacturing North America, Inc. Consol Defendants, represented
by Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com --
at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom --
mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod;
Kimberly A. Cook -- kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick
LLP; Derek S. Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew
-- etew@dykema.com -- Terri Steinhaus Reiskin --
treiskin@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; John Carl Seipp,
Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Donald Arthur Blackwell -
- don.blackwell@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda Cardenas-
Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke LLP; Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -
- at Lewis & Bockius LLP; Michiko A. Brown -- brown@wtotrial.com -
- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com -- at Wheeler Trigg
O'Donnell, LLP; Mark N. Bodin -- mbodin@mcglinchey.com -- Sarah
Elizabeth McMillan -- semcmillan@mcglinchey.com -- at McGlinchey
Stafford, PLLC
Chrysler Group LLC, Consol Defendant, represented by Armando
Gustavo Hernandez -- ahernandez@rumberger.com -- Scott M. Sarason
-- ssarason@rumberger.com -- at Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell, PA;
John W. Rogers -- at Coburn, LLP
MDL 2599: Remand of Childs Suit v. Ford to Wisconsin Endorsed
-------------------------------------------------------------
In the case, IN RE: TAKATA AIRBAG PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION.
THIS DOCUMENT RELATES TO ECONOMIC LOSS TRACK CASES. MILTON CHILDS,
et. al., Plaintiffs, v. FORD MOTOR COMPANY, Defendant, MDL No.
2599, Master File No. 15-02599-MD-MORENO, Econ. Loss File No.
14-24009-CV-MORENO, S.D. Fla. Case No. 19-24816-CV-MORENO (S.D.
Fla.), Judge Federico A. Moreno of the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, (i) granted Defendant
Ford's Motion for Suggestion of Remand, filed on Jan. 21, 2020; and
(ii) suggested to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
that the named case be remanded to the U.S. District Court for the
Eastern District of Wisconsin.
In December 2018, the Court entered a Final Order that approved a
$299 million class settlement with Ford and that certified the
settlement class. The Court attached to the Final Order an exhibit
that listed more than 3,500 persons and entities who opted out of
the settlement class. A significant number of these "opt-outs"
reorganized by state and in the summer of 2019 began filing "group
action" complaints against Ford across more than 20 states.
Ford subsequently filed Notices of Potential Tag-Along Actions with
the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ("JPML") for each
group action. After receiving no objections to transfer, the JPML
transferred each group action to the Court for consolidated
pretrial proceedings. Once the transfers completed, Ford filed
motions to dismiss for each group action. Then -- despite having
not objected to the JPML's Conditional Transfer Orders for each
group action -- Ford filed the underlying motion, which asks the
Court to suggest to the JPML that each group action should actually
be remanded to its respective transferor court.
Meanwhile, the Plaintiffs -- who, despite opting out of the $299
million settlement that was reached as a result of consolidated
pretrial proceedings -- now want to litigate their renewed claims
against Ford in consolidated pretrial proceedings, arguing that the
Court is in the best position to make pretrial rulings and expedite
a disposition of the litigation.
After reviewing the Motion for Suggestion of Remand, the
Opposition, the Reply, and hearing from counsel during the Jan. 23,
2020 status conference, Judge Moreno now decides whether the named
group action should be recommended for remand. In so deciding, he
analyzes the group actions collectively.
The Judge finds that it is actually the parties that are in the
unique position to facilitate a resolution of the lawsuits without
the need for trials. And indeed, it appears to the Court that a
settlement was already reached in a California based group action
before transfer to the MDL proceeding was ever initiated. Thus,
the parties have already proven their ability to meaningfully work
through issues without the need for centralized proceedings.
Notably, when considering whether to transfer cases for
consolidated pretrial proceedings, the JPML has factored into its
decisions the extent of practicable informal cooperation between
counsel. In short, then, the Judge finds that the informal
cooperation already demonstrated by the counsel in these group
actions weighs in favor of remand.
The Judge now assesses the extent to which the group actions raise
common discovery issues and common legal claims, both amongst each
other and when compared to the class actions currently being
litigated in the MDL proceeding. The Plaintiffs maintain that the
group actions should remain in the Court for consolidated pretrial
proceedings. On the other hand, Ford contends that common
liability discovery is complete and thus no meaningful efficiencies
will be created by consolidation of these cases into the MDL.
The Judge finds that discovery will be needed to determine, at
minimum, when and where each plaintiff purchased or leased their
vehicle, whether each plaintiff transacted with Ford or an
authorized Ford dealer, and potentially whether each plaintiff
relied on alleged misrepresentations when purchasing or leasing
their vehicle. The discovery is case specific. It has no relation
to the common liability discovery into Ford that was completed
earlier in the MDL proceeding; it also has no relation to the
discovery currently ongoing into several other automotive
manufacturers named in the consolidated class action complaints.
For these reasons, the Judge finds that because remaining discovery
is case specific, this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
In addition to remaining discovery being case specific, there is
also a dearth of common legal issues because each group action
asserts state specific claims. Accordingly, the Judge finds that
this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
Ultimately, Judge Moreno agrees with the Plaintiffs that
consolidated pretrial proceedings would convenience the parties and
their counsel. But because the bulk of remaining discovery and the
legal claims in each group action are case specific, and because
common counsel involved in each group action have demonstrated
their ability to cooperate and resolve disputes without court
supervision, the Judge finds that under a totality of the
circumstances, the group actions will not benefit from coordinated
pretrial proceedings as part of the MDL.
For all these reasons, Judge Moreno granted the Motion for
Suggestion of Remand. The Judge respectfully suggested to the
Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation that the named case be
remanded to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of
Wisconsin.
A full-text copy of Judge Moreno's Feb. 28, 2020 Order is available
at https://is.gd/mjVFtD from Leagle.com.
Takata Airbag Products Liability Litigation, In Re, represented by
Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- at Covington &
Burling, LLP
Daniel S. Silva, James Herron, Leslie Flaherty, Holly Ruth, M&K
Used Auto Parts, Inc., Robert Barto, John Meiser, Charles & Vickie
Burd Plaintiffs, Charles & Dana Talamantes, Eugennie Sinclair,
Quarnos Auto Salvage, Daniel Thies, Camila G. Corteleti, Rigsby's
Auto Parts & Sales, Inc., Darla Spies, Vickie Burd, Dana
Talamantes, Alicia Benton, Justin S. Birdsall, Loren Petersen,
Eric Rosson, Teresa Woodard, Plaintiffs, represented by Peter
Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Mary Hasley, Megan Sayre-Scibona, Pamela Wilsey, Doreen Dembeck,
Helen Klemer, Lisa Peterson, Plaintiffs, represented by Brian
Morrison -- bmorrison@labaton.com -- Daniel R. Leathers -- at
Labaton Sucharow, LLP; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Regina M. Reilly, Rebecca Lew, Carla Thompson, Plaintiffs,
represented by W. Daniel Miles, III -- dee.miles@beasleyallen.com
-- Archie I. Grubb, II -- archie.grubb@beasleyallen.com -- H. Clay
Barnett -- clay.barnett@beasleyallen.com -- at Beasley Allen Crow
Methvin Portis & Miles; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Plaintiffs Lead Counsel, Plaintiff, represented by Peter Prieto --
pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; Curtis Bradley
Miner -- curt@colson.com -- Stephanie Anne Casey --
scasey@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Gurinder Dhillon, Plaintiff, represented by Curtis Bradley Miner -
- curt@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Craig Dunn, Consol Plaintiff, represented by Aaron Samuel Podhurst
-- apodhurst@podhurst.com -- John Gravante, III --
jgravante@podhurst.com -- Matthew Weinshall --
mweinshall@podhurst.com -- Stephen Frederick Rosenthal --
srosenthal@podhurst.com -- Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com --
at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; David Fernandes --
dfernandes@baronbudd.com -- J. Burton LeBlanc -- Mark Pifko --
mpifko@baronbudd.com -- Pablo Orozco -- Roland Tellis --
rtellis@baronbudd.com -- at Baron & Budd, PC; Michael P. Thornton
-- mthornton@tenlaw.com -- at Thornton Law Firm, LLP; Eric D.
Gottlieb -- egottlieb@labaton.com -- Gregory S. Asciolla --
gasciolla@labaton.com -- Katherine R. Ryan -- Lawrence A. Sucharow
-- lsucharow@labaton.com -- Martis Alex -- Michael W. Stocker --
mstocker@labaton.com -- Robin A. van der Meulen --
rvandermeulen@labaton.com -- at Labaton Sucharow LLP
FCA US LLC, Defendant, represented by Martin Leonard Steinberg --
marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Scott M. Sarason -- ssarason@rumberger.com
-- at Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell
Inflation Systems Inc., Defendant, represented by Stephen J.
Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
General Motors LLC, Defendant, represented by Laurie Michele Riley
-- lriley@joneswalker.com -- at Jones Walker LLP; Leonid Feller --
leonid.feller@kirkland.com -- Renee D. Smith --
renee.smith@kirkland.com -- at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP
Takata Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by Brian O.
Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore & Henderson,
PA; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; Keith A. Teel --
kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com -- Lanny A.
Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- Paul W.
Schmidt -- pschmidt@cov.com -- at Covington & Burling, LLP;
Phillippa V. Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton,
Egan, Jones & Sweeney, LLP; T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.
TK Holdings, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by Alex P.
Tilling -- atilling@leakeandersson.com -- Cristin Fitzgerald
Bordelon -- Jerry L. Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com --
at Leake & Anderson LLP; Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent
-- ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor,
LLP; Brian O. Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore
& Henderson, PA; Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- Keith
A. Teel -- kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com --
Lanny A. Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- at Covington
& Burling, LLP; Christopher J. York -- at McGahren Gaskill & York,
LLC; Cynthia A. Hawkins -- Cynthia@CynthiaHawkinsLaw.com -- at Law
Office of Cynthia Hawkins; Damien Arthur Orato --
dorato@rumberger.com -- Lena Marguerite Mirilovic --
lmirilovic@rumberger.com -- Michael Daniel Begey --
mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers Culley --
sculley@rumberger.com -- William L. Kirk, Jr. -- at Rumberger,
Kirk & Caldwell; Daniel John Kissan -- daniel.kissane@csklegal.com
-- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice; Garth Thomas Yearick --
gyearick@carltonfields.com -- Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- Thomas Meeks --
tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.;
Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Loren William
Fender -- loren.fender@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda
Cardenas-Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke LLP; Matthew J. Stanczyk --
mstanczyk@plunkettcooney.com -- at Plunkett Cooney; Phillippa V.
Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton, Egan, Jones &
Sweeney, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod; Robert J. Hoffman --
rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP; Sterling Gardner
Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at Rogers & Hardin, LLP;
William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliff
Highland Industries, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor;
Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at Womble Carlyle Sandridge &
Rice; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Jerry L.
Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com -- at Leake & Anderson
LLP; Lena Marguerite Mirilovic -- lmirilovic@rumberger.com --
Michael Daniel Begey -- mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers
Culley -- sculley@rumberger.com -- Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell;
Robert J. Hoffman -- rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP;
Sterling Gardner Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at
Rogers & Hardin, LLP; William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington &
Sutcliff; Stephen J. Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com --
Thomas Meeks -- tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
Honda Motor Company, LTD, Consol Defendant, represented by Adam P.
Micale -- amicale@sidley.com -- Alexis Rollins Dunton --
adunton@sidley.com -- Amanda Farfel -- afarfel@sidley.com --
Andrew J. Chinsky -- achinsky@sidley.com -- Darlene M. Cho --
dcho@sidley.com -- Kristen E. Rau -- at Sidley Austin, LLP; Joel
H. Smith -- joel.smith@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Matthew Brooks
Miller -- brooks.miller@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman & Brooke,
LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com
-- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod
American Honda Co., Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Courtney Crook Shytle -- courtney.shytle@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke; Daniel John Kissane --
daniel.kissane@csklegal.com -- Thomas E. Scott, Jr. --
thomas.scott@csklegal.com -- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Ellyce R.
Cooper -- ecooper@sidley.com -- Eric S. Mattson --
emattson@sidley.com -- Mark Douglas Campbell --
mcampbell@sidley.com -- Michael C. Andolina --
mandolina@sidley.com -- Michael L. Mallow -- mmallow@sidley.com --
Sean A. Commons -- scommons@sidley.com -- Catherine Valerio Barrad
-- at Sidley Austin LLP
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Consol Defendant, represented by
Jessica Farley -- jessica.farley@nortonrosefulbright.com -- Steven
D. Jansma -- steven.jansma@nortonrosefulbright.com -- at Norton
Rose Fulbright US LLP
BMW of North America, LLC and BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC, Consol
Defendants, represented by Christopher J. Dalton --
christopher.dalton@bipc.com -- Rosemary Joan Bruno --
rosemary.bruno@bipc.com -- Jesse H. Diner -- jesse.diner@bipc.com
-- Stephen Carey Villeneuve -- carey.villeneuve@bipc.com -- at
Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, PC; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod; Eric Y. Kizirian -- Eric.Kizirian@lewisbrisbois.com --
Jeffrey Arthur Mowers -- Jeffrey.Mowers@lewisbrisbois.com --
Michael Keith Grimaldi -- Michael.Grimaldi@lewisbrisbois.com -- at
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard and Smith, LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -
- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Jeffrey T. Gorcyca -- jeffrey.gorcyca@bowmanandbrooke.com --
Matthew G. Berard -- matthew.berard@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Thomas
P. Branigan -- tom.branigan@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP; Philip Semprevivo, Jr. --
Philip.Semprevivo@lawbhs.com -- at Biedermann Hoenig-Semprevivo;
Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis &
Bockius LLP
Toyota Motor Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Derek S.
Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew --
etew@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; Michiko A. Brown
-- brown@wtotrial.com -- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com
-- at Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell, LLP; Robert Mark Brochin --
bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis & Bockius; John Carl
Seipp, Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering &
Manufacturing North America, Inc. Consol Defendants, represented
by Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com --
at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom --
mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod;
Kimberly A. Cook -- kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick
LLP; Derek S. Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew
-- etew@dykema.com -- Terri Steinhaus Reiskin --
treiskin@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; John Carl Seipp,
Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Donald Arthur Blackwell -
- don.blackwell@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda Cardenas-
Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke LLP; Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -
- at Lewis & Bockius LLP; Michiko A. Brown -- brown@wtotrial.com -
- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com -- at Wheeler Trigg
O'Donnell, LLP; Mark N. Bodin -- mbodin@mcglinchey.com -- Sarah
Elizabeth McMillan -- semcmillan@mcglinchey.com -- at McGlinchey
Stafford, PLLC
Chrysler Group LLC, Consol Defendant, represented by Armando
Gustavo Hernandez -- ahernandez@rumberger.com -- Scott M. Sarason
-- ssarason@rumberger.com -- at Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell, PA;
John W. Rogers -- at Coburn, LLP
MDL 2599: Remand of Churilla Suit v. Ford to Arizona Endorsed
-------------------------------------------------------------
In the case, IN RE: TAKATA AIRBAG PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION.
THIS DOCUMENT RELATES TO ECONOMIC LOSS TRACK CASES. DAVID CHURILLA,
et. al., Plaintiffs, v. FORD MOTOR COMPANY, Defendant, MDL No.
2599, Master File No. 15-02599-MD-MORENO, Econ. Loss File No.
14-24009-CV-MORENO, S.D. Fla. Case No. 19-24734-CV-MORENO (S.D.
Fla.), Judge Federico A. Moreno of the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, (i) granted Defendant
Ford's Motion for Suggestion of Remand, filed on Jan. 21, 2020; and
(ii) suggested to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
that the named case be remanded to the U.S. District Court for the
District of Arizona.
In December 2018, the Court entered a Final Order that approved a
$299 million class settlement with Ford and that certified the
settlement class. The Court attached to the Final Order an exhibit
that listed more than 3,500 persons and entities who opted out of
the settlement class. A significant number of these "opt-outs"
reorganized by state and in the summer of 2019 began filing "group
action" complaints against Ford across more than 20 states.
Ford subsequently filed Notices of Potential Tag-Along Actions with
the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ("JPML") for each
group action. After receiving no objections to transfer, the JPML
transferred each group action to the Court for consolidated
pretrial proceedings. Once the transfers completed, Ford filed
motions to dismiss for each group action. Then -- despite having
not objected to the JPML's Conditional Transfer Orders for each
group action -- Ford filed the underlying motion, which asks the
Court to suggest to the JPML that each group action should actually
be remanded to its respective transferor court.
Meanwhile, the Plaintiffs -- who, despite opting out of the $299
million settlement that was reached as a result of consolidated
pretrial proceedings -- now want to litigate their renewed claims
against Ford in consolidated pretrial proceedings, arguing that the
Court is in the best position to make pretrial rulings and expedite
a disposition of the litigation.
After reviewing the Motion for Suggestion of Remand, the
Opposition, the Reply, and hearing from counsel during the Jan. 23,
2020 status conference, Judge Moreno now decides whether the named
group action should be recommended for remand. In so deciding, the
Judge analyzes the group actions collectively.
The Judge finds that it is actually the parties that are in the
unique position to facilitate a resolution of the lawsuits without
the need for trials. And indeed, it appears to the Court that a
settlement was already reached in a California based group action
before transfer to the MDL proceeding was ever initiated. Thus,
the parties have already proven their ability to meaningfully work
through issues without the need for centralized proceedings.
Notably, when considering whether to transfer cases for
consolidated pretrial proceedings, the JPML has factored into its
decisions the extent of practicable informal cooperation between
counsel. In short, then, the Judge finds that the informal
cooperation already demonstrated by the counsel in these group
actions weighs in favor of remand.
The Judge now assesses the extent to which the group actions raise
common discovery issues and common legal claims, both amongst each
other and when compared to the class actions currently being
litigated in the MDL proceeding. The Plaintiffs maintain that the
group actions should remain in the Court for consolidated pretrial
proceedings. On the other hand, Ford contends that common
liability discovery is complete and thus no meaningful efficiencies
will be created by consolidation of these cases into the MDL.
The Judge finds that discovery will be needed to determine, at
minimum, when and where each plaintiff purchased or leased their
vehicle, whether each plaintiff transacted with Ford or an
authorized Ford dealer, and potentially whether each plaintiff
relied on alleged misrepresentations when purchasing or leasing
their vehicle. The discovery is case specific. It has no relation
to the common liability discovery into Ford that was completed
earlier in the MDL proceeding; it also has no relation to the
discovery currently ongoing into several other automotive
manufacturers named in the consolidated class action complaints.
For these reasons, the Judge finds that because remaining discovery
is case specific, this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
In addition to remaining discovery being case specific, there is
also a dearth of common legal issues because each group action
asserts state specific claims. Accordingly, the Judge finds that
this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
Ultimately, Judge Moreno agrees with the Plaintiffs that
consolidated pretrial proceedings would convenience the parties and
their counsel. But because the bulk of remaining discovery and the
legal claims in each group action are case specific, and because
common counsel involved in each group action have demonstrated
their ability to cooperate and resolve disputes without court
supervision, the Judge finds that under a totality of the
circumstances, the group actions will not benefit from coordinated
pretrial proceedings as part of the MDL.
For all these reasons, Judge Moreno granted the Motion for
Suggestion of Remand. The Judge respectfully suggested to the
Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation that the named case be
remanded to the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.
A full-text copy of Judge Moreno's Feb. 28, 2020 Order is available
at https://is.gd/lLsy36 from Leagle.com.
Takata Airbag Products Liability Litigation, In Re, represented by
Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- at Covington &
Burling, LLP
Daniel S. Silva, James Herron, Leslie Flaherty, Holly Ruth, M&K
Used Auto Parts, Inc., Robert Barto, John Meiser, Charles & Vickie
Burd Plaintiffs, Charles & Dana Talamantes, Eugennie Sinclair,
Quarnos Auto Salvage, Daniel Thies, Camila G. Corteleti, Rigsby's
Auto Parts & Sales, Inc., Darla Spies, Vickie Burd, Dana
Talamantes, Alicia Benton, Justin S. Birdsall, Loren Petersen,
Eric Rosson, Teresa Woodard, Plaintiffs, represented by Peter
Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Mary Hasley, Megan Sayre-Scibona, Pamela Wilsey, Doreen Dembeck,
Helen Klemer, Lisa Peterson, Plaintiffs, represented by Brian
Morrison -- bmorrison@labaton.com -- Daniel R. Leathers -- at
Labaton Sucharow, LLP; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Regina M. Reilly, Rebecca Lew, Carla Thompson, Plaintiffs,
represented by W. Daniel Miles, III -- dee.miles@beasleyallen.com
-- Archie I. Grubb, II -- archie.grubb@beasleyallen.com -- H. Clay
Barnett -- clay.barnett@beasleyallen.com -- at Beasley Allen Crow
Methvin Portis & Miles; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Plaintiffs Lead Counsel, Plaintiff, represented by Peter Prieto --
pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; Curtis Bradley
Miner -- curt@colson.com -- Stephanie Anne Casey --
scasey@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Gurinder Dhillon, Plaintiff, represented by Curtis Bradley Miner -
- curt@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Craig Dunn, Consol Plaintiff, represented by Aaron Samuel Podhurst
-- apodhurst@podhurst.com -- John Gravante, III --
jgravante@podhurst.com -- Matthew Weinshall --
mweinshall@podhurst.com -- Stephen Frederick Rosenthal --
srosenthal@podhurst.com -- Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com --
at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; David Fernandes --
dfernandes@baronbudd.com -- J. Burton LeBlanc -- Mark Pifko --
mpifko@baronbudd.com -- Pablo Orozco -- Roland Tellis --
rtellis@baronbudd.com -- at Baron & Budd, PC; Michael P. Thornton
-- mthornton@tenlaw.com -- at Thornton Law Firm, LLP; Eric D.
Gottlieb -- egottlieb@labaton.com -- Gregory S. Asciolla --
gasciolla@labaton.com -- Katherine R. Ryan -- Lawrence A. Sucharow
-- lsucharow@labaton.com -- Martis Alex -- Michael W. Stocker --
mstocker@labaton.com -- Robin A. van der Meulen --
rvandermeulen@labaton.com -- at Labaton Sucharow LLP
FCA US LLC, Defendant, represented by Martin Leonard Steinberg --
marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Scott M. Sarason -- ssarason@rumberger.com
-- at Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell
Inflation Systems Inc., Defendant, represented by Stephen J.
Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
General Motors LLC, Defendant, represented by Laurie Michele Riley
-- lriley@joneswalker.com -- at Jones Walker LLP; Leonid Feller --
leonid.feller@kirkland.com -- Renee D. Smith --
renee.smith@kirkland.com -- at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP
Takata Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by Brian O.
Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore & Henderson,
PA; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; Keith A. Teel --
kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com -- Lanny A.
Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- Paul W.
Schmidt -- pschmidt@cov.com -- at Covington & Burling, LLP;
Phillippa V. Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton,
Egan, Jones & Sweeney, LLP; T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.
TK Holdings, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by Alex P.
Tilling -- atilling@leakeandersson.com -- Cristin Fitzgerald
Bordelon -- Jerry L. Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com --
at Leake & Anderson LLP; Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent
-- ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor,
LLP; Brian O. Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore
& Henderson, PA; Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- Keith
A. Teel -- kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com --
Lanny A. Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- at Covington
& Burling, LLP; Christopher J. York -- at McGahren Gaskill & York,
LLC; Cynthia A. Hawkins -- Cynthia@CynthiaHawkinsLaw.com -- at Law
Office of Cynthia Hawkins; Damien Arthur Orato --
dorato@rumberger.com -- Lena Marguerite Mirilovic --
lmirilovic@rumberger.com -- Michael Daniel Begey --
mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers Culley --
sculley@rumberger.com -- William L. Kirk, Jr. -- at Rumberger,
Kirk & Caldwell; Daniel John Kissan -- daniel.kissane@csklegal.com
-- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice; Garth Thomas Yearick --
gyearick@carltonfields.com -- Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- Thomas Meeks --
tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.;
Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Loren William
Fender -- loren.fender@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda
Cardenas-Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke LLP; Matthew J. Stanczyk --
mstanczyk@plunkettcooney.com -- at Plunkett Cooney; Phillippa V.
Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton, Egan, Jones &
Sweeney, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod; Robert J. Hoffman --
rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP; Sterling Gardner
Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at Rogers & Hardin, LLP;
William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliff
Highland Industries, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor;
Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at Womble Carlyle Sandridge &
Rice; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Jerry L.
Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com -- at Leake & Anderson
LLP; Lena Marguerite Mirilovic -- lmirilovic@rumberger.com --
Michael Daniel Begey -- mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers
Culley -- sculley@rumberger.com -- Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell;
Robert J. Hoffman -- rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP;
Sterling Gardner Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at
Rogers & Hardin, LLP; William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington &
Sutcliff; Stephen J. Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com --
Thomas Meeks -- tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
Honda Motor Company, LTD, Consol Defendant, represented by Adam P.
Micale -- amicale@sidley.com -- Alexis Rollins Dunton --
adunton@sidley.com -- Amanda Farfel -- afarfel@sidley.com --
Andrew J. Chinsky -- achinsky@sidley.com -- Darlene M. Cho --
dcho@sidley.com -- Kristen E. Rau -- at Sidley Austin, LLP; Joel
H. Smith -- joel.smith@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Matthew Brooks
Miller -- brooks.miller@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman & Brooke,
LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com
-- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod
American Honda Co., Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Courtney Crook Shytle -- courtney.shytle@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke; Daniel John Kissane --
daniel.kissane@csklegal.com -- Thomas E. Scott, Jr. --
thomas.scott@csklegal.com -- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Ellyce R.
Cooper -- ecooper@sidley.com -- Eric S. Mattson --
emattson@sidley.com -- Mark Douglas Campbell --
mcampbell@sidley.com -- Michael C. Andolina --
mandolina@sidley.com -- Michael L. Mallow -- mmallow@sidley.com --
Sean A. Commons -- scommons@sidley.com -- Catherine Valerio Barrad
-- at Sidley Austin LLP
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Consol Defendant, represented by
Jessica Farley -- jessica.farley@nortonrosefulbright.com -- Steven
D. Jansma -- steven.jansma@nortonrosefulbright.com -- at Norton
Rose Fulbright US LLP
BMW of North America, LLC and BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC, Consol
Defendants, represented by Christopher J. Dalton --
christopher.dalton@bipc.com -- Rosemary Joan Bruno --
rosemary.bruno@bipc.com -- Jesse H. Diner -- jesse.diner@bipc.com
-- Stephen Carey Villeneuve -- carey.villeneuve@bipc.com -- at
Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, PC; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod; Eric Y. Kizirian -- Eric.Kizirian@lewisbrisbois.com --
Jeffrey Arthur Mowers -- Jeffrey.Mowers@lewisbrisbois.com --
Michael Keith Grimaldi -- Michael.Grimaldi@lewisbrisbois.com -- at
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard and Smith, LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -
- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Jeffrey T. Gorcyca -- jeffrey.gorcyca@bowmanandbrooke.com --
Matthew G. Berard -- matthew.berard@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Thomas
P. Branigan -- tom.branigan@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP; Philip Semprevivo, Jr. --
Philip.Semprevivo@lawbhs.com -- at Biedermann Hoenig-Semprevivo;
Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis &
Bockius LLP
Toyota Motor Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Derek S.
Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew --
etew@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; Michiko A. Brown
-- brown@wtotrial.com -- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com
-- at Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell, LLP; Robert Mark Brochin --
bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis & Bockius; John Carl
Seipp, Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering &
Manufacturing North America, Inc. Consol Defendants, represented
by Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com --
at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom --
mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod;
Kimberly A. Cook -- kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick
LLP; Derek S. Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew
-- etew@dykema.com -- Terri Steinhaus Reiskin --
treiskin@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; John Carl Seipp,
Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Donald Arthur Blackwell -
- don.blackwell@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda Cardenas-
Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke LLP; Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -
- at Lewis & Bockius LLP; Michiko A. Brown -- brown@wtotrial.com -
- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com -- at Wheeler Trigg
O'Donnell, LLP; Mark N. Bodin -- mbodin@mcglinchey.com -- Sarah
Elizabeth McMillan -- semcmillan@mcglinchey.com -- at McGlinchey
Stafford, PLLC
Chrysler Group LLC, Consol Defendant, represented by Armando
Gustavo Hernandez -- ahernandez@rumberger.com -- Scott M. Sarason
-- ssarason@rumberger.com -- at Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell, PA;
John W. Rogers -- at Coburn, LLP
MDL 2599: Remand of Coffman Suit v. Ford to Nebraska Endorsed
-------------------------------------------------------------
In the case, IN RE: TAKATA AIRBAG PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION.
THIS DOCUMENT RELATES TO ECONOMIC LOSS TRACK CASES. PAUL L.
COFFMAN, et. al., Plaintiffs, v. FORD MOTOR COMPANY, Defendant, MDL
No. 2599, Master File No. 15-02599-MD-MORENO, Econ. Loss File No.
14-24009-CV-MORENO, S.D. Fla. Case No. 19-24799-CV-MORENO (S.D.
Fla.), Judge Federico A. Moreno of the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, (i) granted Defendant
Ford's Motion for Suggestion of Remand, filed on Jan. 21, 2020; and
(ii) suggested to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
that the named case be remanded to the U.S. District Court for the
District of Nebraska.
In December 2018, the Court entered a Final Order that approved a
$299 million class settlement with Ford and that certified the
settlement class. The Court attached to the Final Order an exhibit
that listed more than 3,500 persons and entities who opted out of
the settlement class. A significant number of these "opt-outs"
reorganized by state and in the summer of 2019 began filing "group
action" complaints against Ford across more than 20 states.
Ford subsequently filed Notices of Potential Tag-Along Actions with
the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ("JPML") for each
group action. After receiving no objections to transfer, the JPML
transferred each group action to the Court for consolidated
pretrial proceedings. Once the transfers completed, Ford filed
motions to dismiss for each group action. Then -- despite having
not objected to the JPML's Conditional Transfer Orders for each
group action -- Ford filed the underlying motion, which asks the
Court to suggest to the JPML that each group action should actually
be remanded to its respective transferor court.
Meanwhile, the Plaintiffs -- who, despite opting out of the $299
million settlement that was reached as a result of consolidated
pretrial proceedings -- now want to litigate their renewed claims
against Ford in consolidated pretrial proceedings, arguing that the
Court is in the best position to make pretrial rulings and expedite
a disposition of the litigation.
After reviewing the Motion for Suggestion of Remand, the
Opposition, the Reply, and hearing from counsel during the Jan. 23,
2020 status conference, Judge Moreno now decides whether the named
group action should be recommended for remand. In so deciding, the
Judge analyzes the group actions collectively.
The Judge finds that it is actually the parties that are in the
unique position to facilitate a resolution of the lawsuits without
the need for trials. And indeed, it appears to the Court that a
settlement was already reached in a California based group action
before transfer to the MDL proceeding was ever initiated. Thus,
the parties have already proven their ability to meaningfully work
through issues without the need for centralized proceedings.
Notably, when considering whether to transfer cases for
consolidated pretrial proceedings, the JPML has factored into its
decisions the extent of practicable informal cooperation between
counsel. In short, then, the Judge finds that the informal
cooperation already demonstrated by the counsel in these group
actions weighs in favor of remand.
The Judge now assesses the extent to which the group actions raise
common discovery issues and common legal claims, both amongst each
other and when compared to the class actions currently being
litigated in the MDL proceeding. The Plaintiffs maintain that the
group actions should remain in the Court for consolidated pretrial
proceedings. On the other hand, Ford contends that common
liability discovery is complete and thus no meaningful efficiencies
will be created by consolidation of these cases into the MDL.
He finds that discovery will be needed to determine, at minimum,
when and where each plaintiff purchased or leased their vehicle,
whether each plaintiff transacted with Ford or an authorized Ford
dealer, and potentially whether each plaintiff relied on alleged
misrepresentations when purchasing or leasing their vehicle. The
discovery is case specific. It has no relation to the common
liability discovery into Ford that was completed earlier in the MDL
proceeding; it also has no relation to the discovery currently
ongoing into several other automotive manufacturers named in the
consolidated class action complaints. For these reasons, the Judge
finds that because remaining discovery is case specific, this
factor also weighs in favor of remand.
In addition to remaining discovery being case specific, there is
also a dearth of common legal issues because each group action
asserts state specific claims. Accordingly, the Judge finds that
this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
Ultimately, Judge Moreno agrees with the Plaintiffs that
consolidated pretrial proceedings would convenience the parties and
their counsel. But because the bulk of remaining discovery and the
legal claims in each group action are case specific, and because
common counsel involved in each group action have demonstrated
their ability to cooperate and resolve disputes without court
supervision, the Judge finds that under a totality of the
circumstances, the group actions will not benefit from coordinated
pretrial proceedings as part of the MDL.
For all these reasons, Judge Moreno granted the Motion for
Suggestion of Remand. The Judge respectfully suggested to the
Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation that the named case be
remanded to the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska.
A full-text copy of Judge Moreno's Feb. 28, 2020 Order is available
at https://is.gd/ZfuPV0 from Leagle.com.
Takata Airbag Products Liability Litigation, In Re, represented by
Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- at Covington &
Burling, LLP
Daniel S. Silva, James Herron, Leslie Flaherty, Holly Ruth, M&K
Used Auto Parts, Inc., Robert Barto, John Meiser, Charles & Vickie
Burd Plaintiffs, Charles & Dana Talamantes, Eugennie Sinclair,
Quarnos Auto Salvage, Daniel Thies, Camila G. Corteleti, Rigsby's
Auto Parts & Sales, Inc., Darla Spies, Vickie Burd, Dana
Talamantes, Alicia Benton, Justin S. Birdsall, Loren Petersen,
Eric Rosson, Teresa Woodard, Plaintiffs, represented by Peter
Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Mary Hasley, Megan Sayre-Scibona, Pamela Wilsey, Doreen Dembeck,
Helen Klemer, Lisa Peterson, Plaintiffs, represented by Brian
Morrison -- bmorrison@labaton.com -- Daniel R. Leathers -- at
Labaton Sucharow, LLP; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Regina M. Reilly, Rebecca Lew, Carla Thompson, Plaintiffs,
represented by W. Daniel Miles, III -- dee.miles@beasleyallen.com
-- Archie I. Grubb, II -- archie.grubb@beasleyallen.com -- H. Clay
Barnett -- clay.barnett@beasleyallen.com -- at Beasley Allen Crow
Methvin Portis & Miles; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Plaintiffs Lead Counsel, Plaintiff, represented by Peter Prieto --
pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; Curtis Bradley
Miner -- curt@colson.com -- Stephanie Anne Casey --
scasey@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Gurinder Dhillon, Plaintiff, represented by Curtis Bradley Miner -
- curt@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Craig Dunn, Consol Plaintiff, represented by Aaron Samuel Podhurst
-- apodhurst@podhurst.com -- John Gravante, III --
jgravante@podhurst.com -- Matthew Weinshall --
mweinshall@podhurst.com -- Stephen Frederick Rosenthal --
srosenthal@podhurst.com -- Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com --
at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; David Fernandes --
dfernandes@baronbudd.com -- J. Burton LeBlanc -- Mark Pifko --
mpifko@baronbudd.com -- Pablo Orozco -- Roland Tellis --
rtellis@baronbudd.com -- at Baron & Budd, PC; Michael P. Thornton
-- mthornton@tenlaw.com -- at Thornton Law Firm, LLP; Eric D.
Gottlieb -- egottlieb@labaton.com -- Gregory S. Asciolla --
gasciolla@labaton.com -- Katherine R. Ryan -- Lawrence A. Sucharow
-- lsucharow@labaton.com -- Martis Alex -- Michael W. Stocker --
mstocker@labaton.com -- Robin A. van der Meulen --
rvandermeulen@labaton.com -- at Labaton Sucharow LLP
FCA US LLC, Defendant, represented by Martin Leonard Steinberg --
marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Scott M. Sarason -- ssarason@rumberger.com
-- at Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell
Inflation Systems Inc., Defendant, represented by Stephen J.
Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
General Motors LLC, Defendant, represented by Laurie Michele Riley
-- lriley@joneswalker.com -- at Jones Walker LLP; Leonid Feller --
leonid.feller@kirkland.com -- Renee D. Smith --
renee.smith@kirkland.com -- at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP
Takata Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by Brian O.
Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore & Henderson,
PA; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; Keith A. Teel --
kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com -- Lanny A.
Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- Paul W.
Schmidt -- pschmidt@cov.com -- at Covington & Burling, LLP;
Phillippa V. Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton,
Egan, Jones & Sweeney, LLP; T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.
TK Holdings, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by Alex P.
Tilling -- atilling@leakeandersson.com -- Cristin Fitzgerald
Bordelon -- Jerry L. Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com --
at Leake & Anderson LLP; Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent
-- ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor,
LLP; Brian O. Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore
& Henderson, PA; Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- Keith
A. Teel -- kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com --
Lanny A. Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- at Covington
& Burling, LLP; Christopher J. York -- at McGahren Gaskill & York,
LLC; Cynthia A. Hawkins -- Cynthia@CynthiaHawkinsLaw.com -- at Law
Office of Cynthia Hawkins; Damien Arthur Orato --
dorato@rumberger.com -- Lena Marguerite Mirilovic --
lmirilovic@rumberger.com -- Michael Daniel Begey --
mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers Culley --
sculley@rumberger.com -- William L. Kirk, Jr. -- at Rumberger,
Kirk & Caldwell; Daniel John Kissan -- daniel.kissane@csklegal.com
-- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice; Garth Thomas Yearick --
gyearick@carltonfields.com -- Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- Thomas Meeks --
tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.;
Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Loren William
Fender -- loren.fender@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda
Cardenas-Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke LLP; Matthew J. Stanczyk --
mstanczyk@plunkettcooney.com -- at Plunkett Cooney; Phillippa V.
Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton, Egan, Jones &
Sweeney, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod; Robert J. Hoffman --
rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP; Sterling Gardner
Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at Rogers & Hardin, LLP;
William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliff
Highland Industries, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor;
Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at Womble Carlyle Sandridge &
Rice; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Jerry L.
Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com -- at Leake & Anderson
LLP; Lena Marguerite Mirilovic -- lmirilovic@rumberger.com --
Michael Daniel Begey -- mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers
Culley -- sculley@rumberger.com -- Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell;
Robert J. Hoffman -- rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP;
Sterling Gardner Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at
Rogers & Hardin, LLP; William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington &
Sutcliff; Stephen J. Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com --
Thomas Meeks -- tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
Honda Motor Company, LTD, Consol Defendant, represented by Adam P.
Micale -- amicale@sidley.com -- Alexis Rollins Dunton --
adunton@sidley.com -- Amanda Farfel -- afarfel@sidley.com --
Andrew J. Chinsky -- achinsky@sidley.com -- Darlene M. Cho --
dcho@sidley.com -- Kristen E. Rau -- at Sidley Austin, LLP; Joel
H. Smith -- joel.smith@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Matthew Brooks
Miller -- brooks.miller@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman & Brooke,
LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com
-- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod
American Honda Co., Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Courtney Crook Shytle -- courtney.shytle@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke; Daniel John Kissane --
daniel.kissane@csklegal.com -- Thomas E. Scott, Jr. --
thomas.scott@csklegal.com -- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Ellyce R.
Cooper -- ecooper@sidley.com -- Eric S. Mattson --
emattson@sidley.com -- Mark Douglas Campbell --
mcampbell@sidley.com -- Michael C. Andolina --
mandolina@sidley.com -- Michael L. Mallow -- mmallow@sidley.com --
Sean A. Commons -- scommons@sidley.com -- Catherine Valerio Barrad
-- at Sidley Austin LLP
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Consol Defendant, represented by
Jessica Farley -- jessica.farley@nortonrosefulbright.com -- Steven
D. Jansma -- steven.jansma@nortonrosefulbright.com -- at Norton
Rose Fulbright US LLP
BMW of North America, LLC and BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC, Consol
Defendants, represented by Christopher J. Dalton --
christopher.dalton@bipc.com -- Rosemary Joan Bruno --
rosemary.bruno@bipc.com -- Jesse H. Diner -- jesse.diner@bipc.com
-- Stephen Carey Villeneuve -- carey.villeneuve@bipc.com -- at
Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, PC; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod; Eric Y. Kizirian -- Eric.Kizirian@lewisbrisbois.com --
Jeffrey Arthur Mowers -- Jeffrey.Mowers@lewisbrisbois.com --
Michael Keith Grimaldi -- Michael.Grimaldi@lewisbrisbois.com -- at
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard and Smith, LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -
- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Jeffrey T. Gorcyca -- jeffrey.gorcyca@bowmanandbrooke.com --
Matthew G. Berard -- matthew.berard@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Thomas
P. Branigan -- tom.branigan@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP; Philip Semprevivo, Jr. --
Philip.Semprevivo@lawbhs.com -- at Biedermann Hoenig-Semprevivo;
Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis &
Bockius LLP
Toyota Motor Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Derek S.
Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew --
etew@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; Michiko A. Brown
-- brown@wtotrial.com -- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com
-- at Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell, LLP; Robert Mark Brochin --
bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis & Bockius; John Carl
Seipp, Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering &
Manufacturing North America, Inc. Consol Defendants, represented
by Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com --
at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom --
mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod;
Kimberly A. Cook -- kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick
LLP; Derek S. Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew
-- etew@dykema.com -- Terri Steinhaus Reiskin --
treiskin@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; John Carl Seipp,
Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Donald Arthur Blackwell -
- don.blackwell@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda Cardenas-
Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke LLP; Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -
- at Lewis & Bockius LLP; Michiko A. Brown -- brown@wtotrial.com -
- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com -- at Wheeler Trigg
O'Donnell, LLP; Mark N. Bodin -- mbodin@mcglinchey.com -- Sarah
Elizabeth McMillan -- semcmillan@mcglinchey.com -- at McGlinchey
Stafford, PLLC
Chrysler Group LLC, Consol Defendant, represented by Armando
Gustavo Hernandez -- ahernandez@rumberger.com -- Scott M. Sarason
-- ssarason@rumberger.com -- at Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell, PA;
John W. Rogers -- at Coburn, LLP
MDL 2599: Remand of Crehan Suit v. Ford to Massachusetts Endorsed
-----------------------------------------------------------------
In the case, IN RE: TAKATA AIRBAG PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION.
THIS DOCUMENT RELATES TO ECONOMIC LOSS TRACK CASES. JAMES CREHAN,
et. al., Plaintiffs, v. FORD MOTOR COMPANY, Defendant, MDL No.
2599, Master File No. 15-02599-MD-MORENO, Econ. Loss File No.
14-24009-CV-MORENO, S.D. Fla. Case No. 19-24237-CV-MORENO (S.D.
Fla.), Judge Federico A. Moreno of the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, (i) granted Defendant
Ford's Motion for Suggestion of Remand, filed on Jan. 21, 2020; and
(ii) suggested to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
that the named case be remanded to the U.S. District Court for the
District of Massachusetts.
In December 2018, the Court entered a Final Order that approved a
$299 million class settlement with Ford and that certified the
settlement class. The Court attached to the Final Order an exhibit
that listed more than 3,500 persons and entities who opted out of
the settlement class. A significant number of these "opt-outs"
reorganized by state and in the summer of 2019 began filing "group
action" complaints against Ford across more than 20 states.
Ford subsequently filed Notices of Potential Tag-Along Actions with
the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ("JPML") for each
group action. After receiving no objections to transfer, the JPML
transferred each group action to the Court for consolidated
pretrial proceedings. Once the transfers completed, Ford filed
motions to dismiss for each group action. Then -- despite having
not objected to the JPML's Conditional Transfer Orders for each
group action -- Ford filed the underlying motion, which asks the
Court to suggest to the JPML that each group action should actually
be remanded to its respective transferor court.
Meanwhile, the Plaintiffs -- who, despite opting out of the $299
million settlement that was reached as a result of consolidated
pretrial proceedings -- now want to litigate their renewed claims
against Ford in consolidated pretrial proceedings, arguing that the
Court is in the best position to make pretrial rulings and expedite
a disposition of the litigation.
After reviewing the Motion for Suggestion of Remand, the
Opposition, the Reply, and hearing from counsel during the Jan. 23,
2020 status conference, Judge Moreno now decides whether the named
group action should be recommended for remand. In so deciding, the
Judge analyzes the group actions collectively.
The Judge finds that it is actually the parties that are in the
unique position to facilitate a resolution of the lawsuits without
the need for trials. And indeed, it appears to the Court that a
settlement was already reached in a California based group action
before transfer to the MDL proceeding was ever initiated. Thus,
the parties have already proven their ability to meaningfully work
through issues without the need for centralized proceedings.
Notably, when considering whether to transfer cases for
consolidated pretrial proceedings, the JPML has factored into its
decisions the extent of practicable informal cooperation between
counsel. In short, then, the Judge finds that the informal
cooperation already demonstrated by the counsel in these group
actions weighs in favor of remand.
The Judge now assesses the extent to which the group actions raise
common discovery issues and common legal claims, both amongst each
other and when compared to the class actions currently being
litigated in the MDL proceeding. The Plaintiffs maintain that the
group actions should remain in the Court for consolidated pretrial
proceedings. On the other hand, Ford contends that common
liability discovery is complete and thus no meaningful efficiencies
will be created by consolidation of these cases into the MDL.
He finds that discovery will be needed to determine, at minimum,
when and where each plaintiff purchased or leased their vehicle,
whether each plaintiff transacted with Ford or an authorized Ford
dealer, and potentially whether each plaintiff relied on alleged
misrepresentations when purchasing or leasing their vehicle. The
discovery is case specific. It has no relation to the common
liability discovery into Ford that was completed earlier in the MDL
proceeding; it also has no relation to the discovery currently
ongoing into several other automotive manufacturers named in the
consolidated class action complaints. For these reasons, the Judge
finds that because remaining discovery is case specific, this
factor also weighs in favor of remand.
In addition to remaining discovery being case specific, there is
also a dearth of common legal issues because each group action
asserts state specific claims. Accordingly, the Judge finds that
this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
Ultimately, Judge Moreno agrees with the Plaintiffs that
consolidated pretrial proceedings would convenience the parties and
their counsel. But because the bulk of remaining discovery and the
legal claims in each group action are case specific, and because
common counsel involved in each group action have demonstrated
their ability to cooperate and resolve disputes without court
supervision, the Judge finds that under a totality of the
circumstances, the group actions will not benefit from coordinated
pretrial proceedings as part of the MDL.
For all these reasons, Judge Moreno granted the Motion for
Suggestion of Remand. The Judge respectfully suggested to the
Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation that the named case be
remanded to the U.S. District Court for the District of
Massachusetts.
A full-text copy of Judge Moreno's Feb. 28, 2020 Order is available
at https://is.gd/p2bQGs from Leagle.com.
Takata Airbag Products Liability Litigation, In Re, represented by
Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- at Covington &
Burling, LLP
Daniel S. Silva, James Herron, Leslie Flaherty, Holly Ruth, M&K
Used Auto Parts, Inc., Robert Barto, John Meiser, Charles & Vickie
Burd Plaintiffs, Charles & Dana Talamantes, Eugennie Sinclair,
Quarnos Auto Salvage, Daniel Thies, Camila G. Corteleti, Rigsby's
Auto Parts & Sales, Inc., Darla Spies, Vickie Burd, Dana
Talamantes, Alicia Benton, Justin S. Birdsall, Loren Petersen,
Eric Rosson, Teresa Woodard, Plaintiffs, represented by Peter
Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Mary Hasley, Megan Sayre-Scibona, Pamela Wilsey, Doreen Dembeck,
Helen Klemer, Lisa Peterson, Plaintiffs, represented by Brian
Morrison -- bmorrison@labaton.com -- Daniel R. Leathers -- at
Labaton Sucharow, LLP; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Regina M. Reilly, Rebecca Lew, Carla Thompson, Plaintiffs,
represented by W. Daniel Miles, III -- dee.miles@beasleyallen.com
-- Archie I. Grubb, II -- archie.grubb@beasleyallen.com -- H. Clay
Barnett -- clay.barnett@beasleyallen.com -- at Beasley Allen Crow
Methvin Portis & Miles; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Plaintiffs Lead Counsel, Plaintiff, represented by Peter Prieto --
pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; Curtis Bradley
Miner -- curt@colson.com -- Stephanie Anne Casey --
scasey@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Gurinder Dhillon, Plaintiff, represented by Curtis Bradley Miner -
- curt@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Craig Dunn, Consol Plaintiff, represented by Aaron Samuel Podhurst
-- apodhurst@podhurst.com -- John Gravante, III --
jgravante@podhurst.com -- Matthew Weinshall --
mweinshall@podhurst.com -- Stephen Frederick Rosenthal --
srosenthal@podhurst.com -- Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com --
at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; David Fernandes --
dfernandes@baronbudd.com -- J. Burton LeBlanc -- Mark Pifko --
mpifko@baronbudd.com -- Pablo Orozco -- Roland Tellis --
rtellis@baronbudd.com -- at Baron & Budd, PC; Michael P. Thornton
-- mthornton@tenlaw.com -- at Thornton Law Firm, LLP; Eric D.
Gottlieb -- egottlieb@labaton.com -- Gregory S. Asciolla --
gasciolla@labaton.com -- Katherine R. Ryan -- Lawrence A. Sucharow
-- lsucharow@labaton.com -- Martis Alex -- Michael W. Stocker --
mstocker@labaton.com -- Robin A. van der Meulen --
rvandermeulen@labaton.com -- at Labaton Sucharow LLP
FCA US LLC, Defendant, represented by Martin Leonard Steinberg --
marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Scott M. Sarason -- ssarason@rumberger.com
-- at Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell
Inflation Systems Inc., Defendant, represented by Stephen J.
Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
General Motors LLC, Defendant, represented by Laurie Michele Riley
-- lriley@joneswalker.com -- at Jones Walker LLP; Leonid Feller --
leonid.feller@kirkland.com -- Renee D. Smith --
renee.smith@kirkland.com -- at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP
Takata Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by Brian O.
Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore & Henderson,
PA; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; Keith A. Teel --
kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com -- Lanny A.
Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- Paul W.
Schmidt -- pschmidt@cov.com -- at Covington & Burling, LLP;
Phillippa V. Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton,
Egan, Jones & Sweeney, LLP; T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.
TK Holdings, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by Alex P.
Tilling -- atilling@leakeandersson.com -- Cristin Fitzgerald
Bordelon -- Jerry L. Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com --
at Leake & Anderson LLP; Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent
-- ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor,
LLP; Brian O. Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore
& Henderson, PA; Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- Keith
A. Teel -- kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com --
Lanny A. Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- at Covington
& Burling, LLP; Christopher J. York -- at McGahren Gaskill & York,
LLC; Cynthia A. Hawkins -- Cynthia@CynthiaHawkinsLaw.com -- at Law
Office of Cynthia Hawkins; Damien Arthur Orato --
dorato@rumberger.com -- Lena Marguerite Mirilovic --
lmirilovic@rumberger.com -- Michael Daniel Begey --
mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers Culley --
sculley@rumberger.com -- William L. Kirk, Jr. -- at Rumberger,
Kirk & Caldwell; Daniel John Kissan -- daniel.kissane@csklegal.com
-- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice; Garth Thomas Yearick --
gyearick@carltonfields.com -- Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- Thomas Meeks --
tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.;
Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Loren William
Fender -- loren.fender@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda
Cardenas-Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke LLP; Matthew J. Stanczyk --
mstanczyk@plunkettcooney.com -- at Plunkett Cooney; Phillippa V.
Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton, Egan, Jones &
Sweeney, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod; Robert J. Hoffman --
rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP; Sterling Gardner
Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at Rogers & Hardin, LLP;
William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliff
Highland Industries, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor;
Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at Womble Carlyle Sandridge &
Rice; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Jerry L.
Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com -- at Leake & Anderson
LLP; Lena Marguerite Mirilovic -- lmirilovic@rumberger.com --
Michael Daniel Begey -- mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers
Culley -- sculley@rumberger.com -- Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell;
Robert J. Hoffman -- rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP;
Sterling Gardner Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at
Rogers & Hardin, LLP; William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington &
Sutcliff; Stephen J. Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com --
Thomas Meeks -- tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
Honda Motor Company, LTD, Consol Defendant, represented by Adam P.
Micale -- amicale@sidley.com -- Alexis Rollins Dunton --
adunton@sidley.com -- Amanda Farfel -- afarfel@sidley.com --
Andrew J. Chinsky -- achinsky@sidley.com -- Darlene M. Cho --
dcho@sidley.com -- Kristen E. Rau -- at Sidley Austin, LLP; Joel
H. Smith -- joel.smith@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Matthew Brooks
Miller -- brooks.miller@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman & Brooke,
LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com
-- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod
American Honda Co., Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Courtney Crook Shytle -- courtney.shytle@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke; Daniel John Kissane --
daniel.kissane@csklegal.com -- Thomas E. Scott, Jr. --
thomas.scott@csklegal.com -- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Ellyce R.
Cooper -- ecooper@sidley.com -- Eric S. Mattson --
emattson@sidley.com -- Mark Douglas Campbell --
mcampbell@sidley.com -- Michael C. Andolina --
mandolina@sidley.com -- Michael L. Mallow -- mmallow@sidley.com --
Sean A. Commons -- scommons@sidley.com -- Catherine Valerio Barrad
-- at Sidley Austin LLP
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Consol Defendant, represented by
Jessica Farley -- jessica.farley@nortonrosefulbright.com -- Steven
D. Jansma -- steven.jansma@nortonrosefulbright.com -- at Norton
Rose Fulbright US LLP
BMW of North America, LLC and BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC, Consol
Defendants, represented by Christopher J. Dalton --
christopher.dalton@bipc.com -- Rosemary Joan Bruno --
rosemary.bruno@bipc.com -- Jesse H. Diner -- jesse.diner@bipc.com
-- Stephen Carey Villeneuve -- carey.villeneuve@bipc.com -- at
Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, PC; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod; Eric Y. Kizirian -- Eric.Kizirian@lewisbrisbois.com --
Jeffrey Arthur Mowers -- Jeffrey.Mowers@lewisbrisbois.com --
Michael Keith Grimaldi -- Michael.Grimaldi@lewisbrisbois.com -- at
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard and Smith, LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -
- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Jeffrey T. Gorcyca -- jeffrey.gorcyca@bowmanandbrooke.com --
Matthew G. Berard -- matthew.berard@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Thomas
P. Branigan -- tom.branigan@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP; Philip Semprevivo, Jr. --
Philip.Semprevivo@lawbhs.com -- at Biedermann Hoenig-Semprevivo;
Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis &
Bockius LLP
Toyota Motor Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Derek S.
Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew --
etew@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; Michiko A. Brown
-- brown@wtotrial.com -- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com
-- at Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell, LLP; Robert Mark Brochin --
bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis & Bockius; John Carl
Seipp, Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering &
Manufacturing North America, Inc. Consol Defendants, represented
by Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com --
at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom --
mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod;
Kimberly A. Cook -- kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick
LLP; Derek S. Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew
-- etew@dykema.com -- Terri Steinhaus Reiskin --
treiskin@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; John Carl Seipp,
Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Donald Arthur Blackwell -
- don.blackwell@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda Cardenas-
Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke LLP; Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -
- at Lewis & Bockius LLP; Michiko A. Brown -- brown@wtotrial.com -
- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com -- at Wheeler Trigg
O'Donnell, LLP; Mark N. Bodin -- mbodin@mcglinchey.com -- Sarah
Elizabeth McMillan -- semcmillan@mcglinchey.com -- at McGlinchey
Stafford, PLLC
Chrysler Group LLC, Consol Defendant, represented by Armando
Gustavo Hernandez -- ahernandez@rumberger.com -- Scott M. Sarason
-- ssarason@rumberger.com -- at Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell, PA;
John W. Rogers -- at Coburn, LLP
MDL 2599: Remand of Davis Suit v. Ford to Illinois Endorsed
-----------------------------------------------------------
In the case, IN RE: TAKATA AIRBAG PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION.
THIS DOCUMENT RELATES TO ECONOMIC LOSS TRACK CASES. DEBORAH DAVIS,
et. al., Plaintiffs, v. FORD MOTOR COMPANY, Defendant, MDL No.
2599, Master File No. 15-02599-MD-MORENO, Econ. Loss File No.
14-24009-CV-MORENO, S.D. Fla. Case No. 19-24737-CV-MORENO (S.D.
Fla.), Judge Federico A. Moreno of the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, (i) granted Defendant
Ford's Motion for Suggestion of Remand, filed on Jan. 21, 2020; and
(ii) suggested to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
that the named case be remanded to the U.S. District Court for the
Northern District of Illinois.
In December 2018, the Court entered a Final Order that approved a
$299 million class settlement with Ford and that certified the
settlement class. The Court attached to the Final Order an exhibit
that listed more than 3,500 persons and entities who opted out of
the settlement class. A significant number of these "opt-outs"
reorganized by state and in the summer of 2019 began filing "group
action" complaints against Ford across more than 20 states.
Ford subsequently filed Notices of Potential Tag-Along Actions with
the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ("JPML") for each
group action. After receiving no objections to transfer, the JPML
transferred each group action to the Court for consolidated
pretrial proceedings. Once the transfers completed, Ford filed
motions to dismiss for each group action. Then -- despite having
not objected to the JPML's Conditional Transfer Orders for each
group action -- Ford filed the underlying motion, which asks the
Court to suggest to the JPML that each group action should actually
be remanded to its respective transferor court.
Meanwhile, the Plaintiffs -- who, despite opting out of the $299
million settlement that was reached as a result of consolidated
pretrial proceedings -- now want to litigate their renewed claims
against Ford in consolidated pretrial proceedings, arguing that the
Court is in the best position to make pretrial rulings and expedite
a disposition of the litigation.
After reviewing the Motion for Suggestion of Remand, the
Opposition, the Reply, and hearing from counsel during the Jan. 23,
2020 status conference, Judge Moreno now decides whether the named
group action should be recommended for remand. In so deciding, the
Judge analyzes the group actions collectively.
The Judge finds that it is actually the parties that are in the
unique position to facilitate a resolution of the lawsuits without
the need for trials. And indeed, it appears to the Court that a
settlement was already reached in a California based group action
before transfer to the MDL proceeding was ever initiated. Thus,
the parties have already proven their ability to meaningfully work
through issues without the need for centralized proceedings.
Notably, when considering whether to transfer cases for
consolidated pretrial proceedings, the JPML has factored into its
decisions the extent of practicable informal cooperation between
counsel. In short, then, the Judge finds that the informal
cooperation already demonstrated by the counsel in these group
actions weighs in favor of remand.
The Judge now assesses the extent to which the group actions raise
common discovery issues and common legal claims, both amongst each
other and when compared to the class actions currently being
litigated in the MDL proceeding. The Plaintiffs maintain that the
group actions should remain in the Court for consolidated pretrial
proceedings. On the other hand, Ford contends that common
liability discovery is complete and thus no meaningful efficiencies
will be created by consolidation of these cases into the MDL.
The Judge finds that discovery will be needed to determine, at
minimum, when and where each plaintiff purchased or leased their
vehicle, whether each plaintiff transacted with Ford or an
authorized Ford dealer, and potentially whether each plaintiff
relied on alleged misrepresentations when purchasing or leasing
their vehicle. The discovery is case specific. It has no relation
to the common liability discovery into Ford that was completed
earlier in the MDL proceeding; it also has no relation to the
discovery currently ongoing into several other automotive
manufacturers named in the consolidated class action complaints.
For these reasons, the Judge finds that because remaining discovery
is case specific, this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
In addition to remaining discovery being case specific, there is
also a dearth of common legal issues because each group action
asserts state specific claims. Accordingly, the Judge finds that
this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
Ultimately, Judge Moreno agrees with the Plaintiffs that
consolidated pretrial proceedings would convenience the parties and
their counsel. But because the bulk of remaining discovery and the
legal claims in each group action are case specific, and because
common counsel involved in each group action have demonstrated
their ability to cooperate and resolve disputes without court
supervision, the Judge finds that under a totality of the
circumstances, the group actions will not benefit from coordinated
pretrial proceedings as part of the MDL.
For all these reasons, Judge Moreno granted the Motion for
Suggestion of Remand. The Judge respectfully suggested to the
Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation that the named case be
remanded to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of
Illinois.
A full-text copy of Judge Moreno's Feb. 28, 2020 Order is available
at https://is.gd/sZZ720 from Leagle.com.
Takata Airbag Products Liability Litigation, In Re, represented by
Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- at Covington &
Burling, LLP
Daniel S. Silva, James Herron, Leslie Flaherty, Holly Ruth, M&K
Used Auto Parts, Inc., Robert Barto, John Meiser, Charles & Vickie
Burd Plaintiffs, Charles & Dana Talamantes, Eugennie Sinclair,
Quarnos Auto Salvage, Daniel Thies, Camila G. Corteleti, Rigsby's
Auto Parts & Sales, Inc., Darla Spies, Vickie Burd, Dana
Talamantes, Alicia Benton, Justin S. Birdsall, Loren Petersen,
Eric Rosson, Teresa Woodard, Plaintiffs, represented by Peter
Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Mary Hasley, Megan Sayre-Scibona, Pamela Wilsey, Doreen Dembeck,
Helen Klemer, Lisa Peterson, Plaintiffs, represented by Brian
Morrison -- bmorrison@labaton.com -- Daniel R. Leathers -- at
Labaton Sucharow, LLP; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Regina M. Reilly, Rebecca Lew, Carla Thompson, Plaintiffs,
represented by W. Daniel Miles, III -- dee.miles@beasleyallen.com
-- Archie I. Grubb, II -- archie.grubb@beasleyallen.com -- H. Clay
Barnett -- clay.barnett@beasleyallen.com -- at Beasley Allen Crow
Methvin Portis & Miles; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Plaintiffs Lead Counsel, Plaintiff, represented by Peter Prieto --
pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; Curtis Bradley
Miner -- curt@colson.com -- Stephanie Anne Casey --
scasey@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Gurinder Dhillon, Plaintiff, represented by Curtis Bradley Miner -
- curt@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Craig Dunn, Consol Plaintiff, represented by Aaron Samuel Podhurst
-- apodhurst@podhurst.com -- John Gravante, III --
jgravante@podhurst.com -- Matthew Weinshall --
mweinshall@podhurst.com -- Stephen Frederick Rosenthal --
srosenthal@podhurst.com -- Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com --
at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; David Fernandes --
dfernandes@baronbudd.com -- J. Burton LeBlanc -- Mark Pifko --
mpifko@baronbudd.com -- Pablo Orozco -- Roland Tellis --
rtellis@baronbudd.com -- at Baron & Budd, PC; Michael P. Thornton
-- mthornton@tenlaw.com -- at Thornton Law Firm, LLP; Eric D.
Gottlieb -- egottlieb@labaton.com -- Gregory S. Asciolla --
gasciolla@labaton.com -- Katherine R. Ryan -- Lawrence A. Sucharow
-- lsucharow@labaton.com -- Martis Alex -- Michael W. Stocker --
mstocker@labaton.com -- Robin A. van der Meulen --
rvandermeulen@labaton.com -- at Labaton Sucharow LLP
FCA US LLC, Defendant, represented by Martin Leonard Steinberg --
marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Scott M. Sarason -- ssarason@rumberger.com
-- at Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell
Inflation Systems Inc., Defendant, represented by Stephen J.
Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
General Motors LLC, Defendant, represented by Laurie Michele Riley
-- lriley@joneswalker.com -- at Jones Walker LLP; Leonid Feller --
leonid.feller@kirkland.com -- Renee D. Smith --
renee.smith@kirkland.com -- at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP
Takata Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by Brian O.
Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore & Henderson,
PA; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; Keith A. Teel --
kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com -- Lanny A.
Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- Paul W.
Schmidt -- pschmidt@cov.com -- at Covington & Burling, LLP;
Phillippa V. Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton,
Egan, Jones & Sweeney, LLP; T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.
TK Holdings, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by Alex P.
Tilling -- atilling@leakeandersson.com -- Cristin Fitzgerald
Bordelon -- Jerry L. Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com --
at Leake & Anderson LLP; Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent
-- ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor,
LLP; Brian O. Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore
& Henderson, PA; Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- Keith
A. Teel -- kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com --
Lanny A. Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- at Covington
& Burling, LLP; Christopher J. York -- at McGahren Gaskill & York,
LLC; Cynthia A. Hawkins -- Cynthia@CynthiaHawkinsLaw.com -- at Law
Office of Cynthia Hawkins; Damien Arthur Orato --
dorato@rumberger.com -- Lena Marguerite Mirilovic --
lmirilovic@rumberger.com -- Michael Daniel Begey --
mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers Culley --
sculley@rumberger.com -- William L. Kirk, Jr. -- at Rumberger,
Kirk & Caldwell; Daniel John Kissan -- daniel.kissane@csklegal.com
-- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice; Garth Thomas Yearick --
gyearick@carltonfields.com -- Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- Thomas Meeks --
tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.;
Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Loren William
Fender -- loren.fender@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda
Cardenas-Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke LLP; Matthew J. Stanczyk --
mstanczyk@plunkettcooney.com -- at Plunkett Cooney; Phillippa V.
Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton, Egan, Jones &
Sweeney, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod; Robert J. Hoffman --
rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP; Sterling Gardner
Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at Rogers & Hardin, LLP;
William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliff
Highland Industries, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor;
Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at Womble Carlyle Sandridge &
Rice; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Jerry L.
Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com -- at Leake & Anderson
LLP; Lena Marguerite Mirilovic -- lmirilovic@rumberger.com --
Michael Daniel Begey -- mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers
Culley -- sculley@rumberger.com -- Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell;
Robert J. Hoffman -- rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP;
Sterling Gardner Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at
Rogers & Hardin, LLP; William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington &
Sutcliff; Stephen J. Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com --
Thomas Meeks -- tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
Honda Motor Company, LTD, Consol Defendant, represented by Adam P.
Micale -- amicale@sidley.com -- Alexis Rollins Dunton --
adunton@sidley.com -- Amanda Farfel -- afarfel@sidley.com --
Andrew J. Chinsky -- achinsky@sidley.com -- Darlene M. Cho --
dcho@sidley.com -- Kristen E. Rau -- at Sidley Austin, LLP; Joel
H. Smith -- joel.smith@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Matthew Brooks
Miller -- brooks.miller@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman & Brooke,
LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com
-- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod
American Honda Co., Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Courtney Crook Shytle -- courtney.shytle@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke; Daniel John Kissane --
daniel.kissane@csklegal.com -- Thomas E. Scott, Jr. --
thomas.scott@csklegal.com -- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Ellyce R.
Cooper -- ecooper@sidley.com -- Eric S. Mattson --
emattson@sidley.com -- Mark Douglas Campbell --
mcampbell@sidley.com -- Michael C. Andolina --
mandolina@sidley.com -- Michael L. Mallow -- mmallow@sidley.com --
Sean A. Commons -- scommons@sidley.com -- Catherine Valerio Barrad
-- at Sidley Austin LLP
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Consol Defendant, represented by
Jessica Farley -- jessica.farley@nortonrosefulbright.com -- Steven
D. Jansma -- steven.jansma@nortonrosefulbright.com -- at Norton
Rose Fulbright US LLP
BMW of North America, LLC and BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC, Consol
Defendants, represented by Christopher J. Dalton --
christopher.dalton@bipc.com -- Rosemary Joan Bruno --
rosemary.bruno@bipc.com -- Jesse H. Diner -- jesse.diner@bipc.com
-- Stephen Carey Villeneuve -- carey.villeneuve@bipc.com -- at
Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, PC; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod; Eric Y. Kizirian -- Eric.Kizirian@lewisbrisbois.com --
Jeffrey Arthur Mowers -- Jeffrey.Mowers@lewisbrisbois.com --
Michael Keith Grimaldi -- Michael.Grimaldi@lewisbrisbois.com -- at
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard and Smith, LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -
- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Jeffrey T. Gorcyca -- jeffrey.gorcyca@bowmanandbrooke.com --
Matthew G. Berard -- matthew.berard@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Thomas
P. Branigan -- tom.branigan@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP; Philip Semprevivo, Jr. --
Philip.Semprevivo@lawbhs.com -- at Biedermann Hoenig-Semprevivo;
Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis &
Bockius LLP
Toyota Motor Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Derek S.
Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew --
etew@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; Michiko A. Brown
-- brown@wtotrial.com -- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com
-- at Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell, LLP; Robert Mark Brochin --
bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis & Bockius; John Carl
Seipp, Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering &
Manufacturing North America, Inc. Consol Defendants, represented
by Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com --
at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom --
mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod;
Kimberly A. Cook -- kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick
LLP; Derek S. Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew
-- etew@dykema.com -- Terri Steinhaus Reiskin --
treiskin@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; John Carl Seipp,
Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Donald Arthur Blackwell -
- don.blackwell@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda Cardenas-
Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke LLP; Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -
- at Lewis & Bockius LLP; Michiko A. Brown -- brown@wtotrial.com -
- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com -- at Wheeler Trigg
O'Donnell, LLP; Mark N. Bodin -- mbodin@mcglinchey.com -- Sarah
Elizabeth McMillan -- semcmillan@mcglinchey.com -- at McGlinchey
Stafford, PLLC
Chrysler Group LLC, Consol Defendant, represented by Armando
Gustavo Hernandez -- ahernandez@rumberger.com -- Scott M. Sarason
-- ssarason@rumberger.com -- at Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell, PA;
John W. Rogers -- at Coburn, LLP
MDL 2599: Remand of Doyle Suit v. Ford to N.D. Florida Endorsed
---------------------------------------------------------------
In the case, IN RE: TAKATA AIRBAG PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION.
THIS DOCUMENT RELATES TO ECONOMIC LOSS TRACK CASES. BILLY DOYLE,
et. al., Plaintiffs, v. FORD MOTOR COMPANY, Defendant, MDL No.
2599, Master File No. 15-02599-MD-MORENO, Econ. Loss File No.
14-24009-CV-MORENO, S.D. Fla. Case No. 19-24735-CV-MORENO (S.D.
Fla.), Judge Federico A. Moreno of the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, (i) granted Defendant
Ford's Motion for Suggestion of Remand, filed on Jan. 21, 2020; and
(ii) suggested to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
that the named case be remanded to the U.S. District Court for the
Northern District of Florida.
In December 2018, the Court entered a Final Order that approved a
$299 million class settlement with Ford and that certified the
settlement class. The Court attached to the Final Order an exhibit
that listed more than 3,500 persons and entities who opted out of
the settlement class. A significant number of these "opt-outs"
reorganized by state and in the summer of 2019 began filing "group
action" complaints against Ford across more than 20 states.
Ford subsequently filed Notices of Potential Tag-Along Actions with
the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ("JPML") for each
group action. After receiving no objections to transfer, the JPML
transferred each group action to the Court for consolidated
pretrial proceedings. Once the transfers completed, Ford filed
motions to dismiss for each group action. Then -- despite having
not objected to the JPML's Conditional Transfer Orders for each
group action -- Ford filed the underlying motion, which asks the
Court to suggest to the JPML that each group action should actually
be remanded to its respective transferor court.
Meanwhile, the Plaintiffs -- who, despite opting out of the $299
million settlement that was reached as a result of consolidated
pretrial proceedings -- now want to litigate their renewed claims
against Ford in consolidated pretrial proceedings, arguing that the
Court is in the best position to make pretrial rulings and expedite
a disposition of the litigation.
After reviewing the Motion for Suggestion of Remand, the
Opposition, the Reply, and hearing from counsel during the Jan. 23,
2020 status conference, Judge Moreno now decides whether the named
group action should be recommended for remand. In so deciding, the
Judge analyzes the group actions collectively.
The Judge finds that it is actually the parties that are in the
unique position to facilitate a resolution of the lawsuits without
the need for trials. And indeed, it appears to the Court that a
settlement was already reached in a California based group action
before transfer to the MDL proceeding was ever initiated. Thus,
the parties have already proven their ability to meaningfully work
through issues without the need for centralized proceedings.
Notably, when considering whether to transfer cases for
consolidated pretrial proceedings, the JPML has factored into its
decisions the extent of practicable informal cooperation between
counsel. In short, then, the Judge finds that the informal
cooperation already demonstrated by the counsel in these group
actions weighs in favor of remand.
The Judge now assesses the extent to which the group actions raise
common discovery issues and common legal claims, both amongst each
other and when compared to the class actions currently being
litigated in the MDL proceeding. The Plaintiffs maintain that the
group actions should remain in the Court for consolidated pretrial
proceedings. On the other hand, Ford contends that common
liability discovery is complete and thus no meaningful efficiencies
will be created by consolidation of these cases into the MDL.
The Judge finds that discovery will be needed to determine, at
minimum, when and where each plaintiff purchased or leased their
vehicle, whether each plaintiff transacted with Ford or an
authorized Ford dealer, and potentially whether each plaintiff
relied on alleged misrepresentations when purchasing or leasing
their vehicle. The discovery is case specific. It has no relation
to the common liability discovery into Ford that was completed
earlier in the MDL proceeding; it also has no relation to the
discovery currently ongoing into several other automotive
manufacturers named in the consolidated class action complaints.
For these reasons, the Judge finds that because remaining discovery
is case specific, this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
In addition to remaining discovery being case specific, there is
also a dearth of common legal issues because each group action
asserts state specific claims. Accordingly, the Judge finds that
this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
Ultimately, Judge Moreno agrees with the Plaintiffs that
consolidated pretrial proceedings would convenience the parties and
their counsel. But because the bulk of remaining discovery and the
legal claims in each group action are case specific, and because
common counsel involved in each group action have demonstrated
their ability to cooperate and resolve disputes without court
supervision, the Judge finds that under a totality of the
circumstances, the group actions will not benefit from coordinated
pretrial proceedings as part of the MDL.
For all these reasons, Judge Moreno granted the Motion for
Suggestion of Remand. The Judge respectfully suggested to the
Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation that the named case be
remanded to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of
Florida.
A full-text copy of Judge Moreno's Feb. 28, 2020 Order is available
at https://is.gd/0a0281 from Leagle.com.
Takata Airbag Products Liability Litigation, In Re, represented by
Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- at Covington &
Burling, LLP
Daniel S. Silva, James Herron, Leslie Flaherty, Holly Ruth, M&K
Used Auto Parts, Inc., Robert Barto, John Meiser, Charles & Vickie
Burd Plaintiffs, Charles & Dana Talamantes, Eugennie Sinclair,
Quarnos Auto Salvage, Daniel Thies, Camila G. Corteleti, Rigsby's
Auto Parts & Sales, Inc., Darla Spies, Vickie Burd, Dana
Talamantes, Alicia Benton, Justin S. Birdsall, Loren Petersen,
Eric Rosson, Teresa Woodard, Plaintiffs, represented by Peter
Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Mary Hasley, Megan Sayre-Scibona, Pamela Wilsey, Doreen Dembeck,
Helen Klemer, Lisa Peterson, Plaintiffs, represented by Brian
Morrison -- bmorrison@labaton.com -- Daniel R. Leathers -- at
Labaton Sucharow, LLP; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Regina M. Reilly, Rebecca Lew, Carla Thompson, Plaintiffs,
represented by W. Daniel Miles, III -- dee.miles@beasleyallen.com
-- Archie I. Grubb, II -- archie.grubb@beasleyallen.com -- H. Clay
Barnett -- clay.barnett@beasleyallen.com -- at Beasley Allen Crow
Methvin Portis & Miles; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Plaintiffs Lead Counsel, Plaintiff, represented by Peter Prieto --
pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; Curtis Bradley
Miner -- curt@colson.com -- Stephanie Anne Casey --
scasey@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Gurinder Dhillon, Plaintiff, represented by Curtis Bradley Miner -
- curt@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Craig Dunn, Consol Plaintiff, represented by Aaron Samuel Podhurst
-- apodhurst@podhurst.com -- John Gravante, III --
jgravante@podhurst.com -- Matthew Weinshall --
mweinshall@podhurst.com -- Stephen Frederick Rosenthal --
srosenthal@podhurst.com -- Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com --
at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; David Fernandes --
dfernandes@baronbudd.com -- J. Burton LeBlanc -- Mark Pifko --
mpifko@baronbudd.com -- Pablo Orozco -- Roland Tellis --
rtellis@baronbudd.com -- at Baron & Budd, PC; Michael P. Thornton
-- mthornton@tenlaw.com -- at Thornton Law Firm, LLP; Eric D.
Gottlieb -- egottlieb@labaton.com -- Gregory S. Asciolla --
gasciolla@labaton.com -- Katherine R. Ryan -- Lawrence A. Sucharow
-- lsucharow@labaton.com -- Martis Alex -- Michael W. Stocker --
mstocker@labaton.com -- Robin A. van der Meulen --
rvandermeulen@labaton.com -- at Labaton Sucharow LLP
FCA US LLC, Defendant, represented by Martin Leonard Steinberg --
marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Scott M. Sarason -- ssarason@rumberger.com
-- at Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell
Inflation Systems Inc., Defendant, represented by Stephen J.
Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
General Motors LLC, Defendant, represented by Laurie Michele Riley
-- lriley@joneswalker.com -- at Jones Walker LLP; Leonid Feller --
leonid.feller@kirkland.com -- Renee D. Smith --
renee.smith@kirkland.com -- at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP
Takata Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by Brian O.
Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore & Henderson,
PA; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; Keith A. Teel --
kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com -- Lanny A.
Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- Paul W.
Schmidt -- pschmidt@cov.com -- at Covington & Burling, LLP;
Phillippa V. Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton,
Egan, Jones & Sweeney, LLP; T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.
TK Holdings, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by Alex P.
Tilling -- atilling@leakeandersson.com -- Cristin Fitzgerald
Bordelon -- Jerry L. Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com --
at Leake & Anderson LLP; Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent
-- ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor,
LLP; Brian O. Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore
& Henderson, PA; Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- Keith
A. Teel -- kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com --
Lanny A. Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- at Covington
& Burling, LLP; Christopher J. York -- at McGahren Gaskill & York,
LLC; Cynthia A. Hawkins -- Cynthia@CynthiaHawkinsLaw.com -- at Law
Office of Cynthia Hawkins; Damien Arthur Orato --
dorato@rumberger.com -- Lena Marguerite Mirilovic --
lmirilovic@rumberger.com -- Michael Daniel Begey --
mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers Culley --
sculley@rumberger.com -- William L. Kirk, Jr. -- at Rumberger,
Kirk & Caldwell; Daniel John Kissan -- daniel.kissane@csklegal.com
-- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice; Garth Thomas Yearick --
gyearick@carltonfields.com -- Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- Thomas Meeks --
tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.;
Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Loren William
Fender -- loren.fender@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda
Cardenas-Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke LLP; Matthew J. Stanczyk --
mstanczyk@plunkettcooney.com -- at Plunkett Cooney; Phillippa V.
Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton, Egan, Jones &
Sweeney, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod; Robert J. Hoffman --
rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP; Sterling Gardner
Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at Rogers & Hardin, LLP;
William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliff
Highland Industries, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor;
Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at Womble Carlyle Sandridge &
Rice; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Jerry L.
Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com -- at Leake & Anderson
LLP; Lena Marguerite Mirilovic -- lmirilovic@rumberger.com --
Michael Daniel Begey -- mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers
Culley -- sculley@rumberger.com -- Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell;
Robert J. Hoffman -- rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP;
Sterling Gardner Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at
Rogers & Hardin, LLP; William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington &
Sutcliff; Stephen J. Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com --
Thomas Meeks -- tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
Honda Motor Company, LTD, Consol Defendant, represented by Adam P.
Micale -- amicale@sidley.com -- Alexis Rollins Dunton --
adunton@sidley.com -- Amanda Farfel -- afarfel@sidley.com --
Andrew J. Chinsky -- achinsky@sidley.com -- Darlene M. Cho --
dcho@sidley.com -- Kristen E. Rau -- at Sidley Austin, LLP; Joel
H. Smith -- joel.smith@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Matthew Brooks
Miller -- brooks.miller@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman & Brooke,
LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com
-- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod
American Honda Co., Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Courtney Crook Shytle -- courtney.shytle@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke; Daniel John Kissane --
daniel.kissane@csklegal.com -- Thomas E. Scott, Jr. --
thomas.scott@csklegal.com -- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Ellyce R.
Cooper -- ecooper@sidley.com -- Eric S. Mattson --
emattson@sidley.com -- Mark Douglas Campbell --
mcampbell@sidley.com -- Michael C. Andolina --
mandolina@sidley.com -- Michael L. Mallow -- mmallow@sidley.com --
Sean A. Commons -- scommons@sidley.com -- Catherine Valerio Barrad
-- at Sidley Austin LLP
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Consol Defendant, represented by
Jessica Farley -- jessica.farley@nortonrosefulbright.com -- Steven
D. Jansma -- steven.jansma@nortonrosefulbright.com -- at Norton
Rose Fulbright US LLP
BMW of North America, LLC and BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC, Consol
Defendants, represented by Christopher J. Dalton --
christopher.dalton@bipc.com -- Rosemary Joan Bruno --
rosemary.bruno@bipc.com -- Jesse H. Diner -- jesse.diner@bipc.com
-- Stephen Carey Villeneuve -- carey.villeneuve@bipc.com -- at
Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, PC; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod; Eric Y. Kizirian -- Eric.Kizirian@lewisbrisbois.com --
Jeffrey Arthur Mowers -- Jeffrey.Mowers@lewisbrisbois.com --
Michael Keith Grimaldi -- Michael.Grimaldi@lewisbrisbois.com -- at
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard and Smith, LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -
- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Jeffrey T. Gorcyca -- jeffrey.gorcyca@bowmanandbrooke.com --
Matthew G. Berard -- matthew.berard@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Thomas
P. Branigan -- tom.branigan@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP; Philip Semprevivo, Jr. --
Philip.Semprevivo@lawbhs.com -- at Biedermann Hoenig-Semprevivo;
Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis &
Bockius LLP
Toyota Motor Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Derek S.
Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew --
etew@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; Michiko A. Brown
-- brown@wtotrial.com -- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com
-- at Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell, LLP; Robert Mark Brochin --
bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis & Bockius; John Carl
Seipp, Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering &
Manufacturing North America, Inc. Consol Defendants, represented
by Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com --
at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom --
mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod;
Kimberly A. Cook -- kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick
LLP; Derek S. Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew
-- etew@dykema.com -- Terri Steinhaus Reiskin --
treiskin@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; John Carl Seipp,
Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Donald Arthur Blackwell -
- don.blackwell@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda Cardenas-
Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke LLP; Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -
- at Lewis & Bockius LLP; Michiko A. Brown -- brown@wtotrial.com -
- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com -- at Wheeler Trigg
O'Donnell, LLP; Mark N. Bodin -- mbodin@mcglinchey.com -- Sarah
Elizabeth McMillan -- semcmillan@mcglinchey.com -- at McGlinchey
Stafford, PLLC
Chrysler Group LLC, Consol Defendant, represented by Armando
Gustavo Hernandez -- ahernandez@rumberger.com -- Scott M. Sarason
-- ssarason@rumberger.com -- at Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell, PA;
John W. Rogers -- at Coburn, LLP
MDL 2599: Remand of Dupreez Suit v. Ford to Maryland Endorsed
-------------------------------------------------------------
In the case, IN RE: TAKATA AIRBAG PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION.
THIS DOCUMENT RELATES TO ECONOMIC LOSS TRACK CASES. DEBRA DUPREEZ,
et. al., Plaintiffs, v. FORD MOTOR COMPANY, Defendant, MDL No.
2599, Master File No. 15-02599-MD-MORENO, Econ. Loss File No.
14-24009-CV-MORENO, S.D. Fla. Case No. 19-24800-CV-MORENO (S.D.
Fla.), Judge Federico A. Moreno of the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, (i) granted Defendant
Ford's Motion for Suggestion of Remand, filed on Jan. 21, 2020; and
(ii) suggested to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
that the named case be remanded to the U.S. District Court for the
District of Maryland.
In December 2018, the Court entered a Final Order that approved a
$299 million class settlement with Ford and that certified the
settlement class. The Court attached to the Final Order an exhibit
that listed more than 3,500 persons and entities who opted out of
the settlement class. A significant number of these "opt-outs"
reorganized by state and in the summer of 2019 began filing "group
action" complaints against Ford across more than 20 states.
Ford subsequently filed Notices of Potential Tag-Along Actions with
the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ("JPML") for each
group action. After receiving no objections to transfer, the JPML
transferred each group action to the Court for consolidated
pretrial proceedings. Once the transfers completed, Ford filed
motions to dismiss for each group action. Then -- despite having
not objected to the JPML's Conditional Transfer Orders for each
group action -- Ford filed the underlying motion, which asks the
Court to suggest to the JPML that each group action should actually
be remanded to its respective transferor court.
Meanwhile, the Plaintiffs -- who, despite opting out of the $299
million settlement that was reached as a result of consolidated
pretrial proceedings -- now want to litigate their renewed claims
against Ford in consolidated pretrial proceedings, arguing that the
Court is in the best position to make pretrial rulings and expedite
a disposition of the litigation.
After reviewing the Motion for Suggestion of Remand, the
Opposition, the Reply, and hearing from counsel during the Jan. 23,
2020 status conference, Judge Moreno now decides whether the named
group action should be recommended for remand. In so deciding, the
Judge analyzes the group actions collectively.
The Judge finds that it is actually the parties that are in the
unique position to facilitate a resolution of the lawsuits without
the need for trials. And indeed, it appears to the Court that a
settlement was already reached in a California based group action
before transfer to the MDL proceeding was ever initiated. Thus,
the parties have already proven their ability to meaningfully work
through issues without the need for centralized proceedings.
Notably, when considering whether to transfer cases for
consolidated pretrial proceedings, the JPML has factored into its
decisions the extent of practicable informal cooperation between
counsel. In short, then, the Judge finds that the informal
cooperation already demonstrated by the counsel in these group
actions weighs in favor of remand.
The Judge now assesses the extent to which the group actions raise
common discovery issues and common legal claims, both amongst each
other and when compared to the class actions currently being
litigated in the MDL proceeding. The Plaintiffs maintain that the
group actions should remain in the Court for consolidated pretrial
proceedings. On the other hand, Ford contends that common
liability discovery is complete and thus no meaningful efficiencies
will be created by consolidation of these cases into the MDL.
He finds that discovery will be needed to determine, at minimum,
when and where each plaintiff purchased or leased their vehicle,
whether each plaintiff transacted with Ford or an authorized Ford
dealer, and potentially whether each plaintiff relied on alleged
misrepresentations when purchasing or leasing their vehicle. The
discovery is case specific. It has no relation to the common
liability discovery into Ford that was completed earlier in the MDL
proceeding; it also has no relation to the discovery currently
ongoing into several other automotive manufacturers named in the
consolidated class action complaints. For these reasons, the Judge
finds that because remaining discovery is case specific, this
factor also weighs in favor of remand.
In addition to remaining discovery being case specific, there is
also a dearth of common legal issues because each group action
asserts state specific claims. Accordingly, the Judge finds that
this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
Ultimately, Judge Moreno agrees with the Plaintiffs that
consolidated pretrial proceedings would convenience the parties and
their counsel. But because the bulk of remaining discovery and the
legal claims in each group action are case specific, and because
common counsel involved in each group action have demonstrated
their ability to cooperate and resolve disputes without court
supervision, the Judge finds that under a totality of the
circumstances, the group actions will not benefit from coordinated
pretrial proceedings as part of the MDL.
For all these reasons, Judge Moreno granted the Motion for
Suggestion of Remand. The Judge respectfully suggested to the
Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation that the named case be
remanded to the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.
A full-text copy of Judge Moreno's Feb. 28, 2020 Order is available
at https://is.gd/NFJruW from Leagle.com.
Takata Airbag Products Liability Litigation, In Re, represented by
Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- at Covington &
Burling, LLP
Daniel S. Silva, James Herron, Leslie Flaherty, Holly Ruth, M&K
Used Auto Parts, Inc., Robert Barto, John Meiser, Charles & Vickie
Burd Plaintiffs, Charles & Dana Talamantes, Eugennie Sinclair,
Quarnos Auto Salvage, Daniel Thies, Camila G. Corteleti, Rigsby's
Auto Parts & Sales, Inc., Darla Spies, Vickie Burd, Dana
Talamantes, Alicia Benton, Justin S. Birdsall, Loren Petersen,
Eric Rosson, Teresa Woodard, Plaintiffs, represented by Peter
Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Mary Hasley, Megan Sayre-Scibona, Pamela Wilsey, Doreen Dembeck,
Helen Klemer, Lisa Peterson, Plaintiffs, represented by Brian
Morrison -- bmorrison@labaton.com -- Daniel R. Leathers -- at
Labaton Sucharow, LLP; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Regina M. Reilly, Rebecca Lew, Carla Thompson, Plaintiffs,
represented by W. Daniel Miles, III -- dee.miles@beasleyallen.com
-- Archie I. Grubb, II -- archie.grubb@beasleyallen.com -- H. Clay
Barnett -- clay.barnett@beasleyallen.com -- at Beasley Allen Crow
Methvin Portis & Miles; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Plaintiffs Lead Counsel, Plaintiff, represented by Peter Prieto --
pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; Curtis Bradley
Miner -- curt@colson.com -- Stephanie Anne Casey --
scasey@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Gurinder Dhillon, Plaintiff, represented by Curtis Bradley Miner -
- curt@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Craig Dunn, Consol Plaintiff, represented by Aaron Samuel Podhurst
-- apodhurst@podhurst.com -- John Gravante, III --
jgravante@podhurst.com -- Matthew Weinshall --
mweinshall@podhurst.com -- Stephen Frederick Rosenthal --
srosenthal@podhurst.com -- Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com --
at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; David Fernandes --
dfernandes@baronbudd.com -- J. Burton LeBlanc -- Mark Pifko --
mpifko@baronbudd.com -- Pablo Orozco -- Roland Tellis --
rtellis@baronbudd.com -- at Baron & Budd, PC; Michael P. Thornton
-- mthornton@tenlaw.com -- at Thornton Law Firm, LLP; Eric D.
Gottlieb -- egottlieb@labaton.com -- Gregory S. Asciolla --
gasciolla@labaton.com -- Katherine R. Ryan -- Lawrence A. Sucharow
-- lsucharow@labaton.com -- Martis Alex -- Michael W. Stocker --
mstocker@labaton.com -- Robin A. van der Meulen --
rvandermeulen@labaton.com -- at Labaton Sucharow LLP
FCA US LLC, Defendant, represented by Martin Leonard Steinberg --
marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Scott M. Sarason -- ssarason@rumberger.com
-- at Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell
Inflation Systems Inc., Defendant, represented by Stephen J.
Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
General Motors LLC, Defendant, represented by Laurie Michele Riley
-- lriley@joneswalker.com -- at Jones Walker LLP; Leonid Feller --
leonid.feller@kirkland.com -- Renee D. Smith --
renee.smith@kirkland.com -- at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP
Takata Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by Brian O.
Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore & Henderson,
PA; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; Keith A. Teel --
kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com -- Lanny A.
Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- Paul W.
Schmidt -- pschmidt@cov.com -- at Covington & Burling, LLP;
Phillippa V. Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton,
Egan, Jones & Sweeney, LLP; T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.
TK Holdings, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by Alex P.
Tilling -- atilling@leakeandersson.com -- Cristin Fitzgerald
Bordelon -- Jerry L. Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com --
at Leake & Anderson LLP; Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent
-- ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor,
LLP; Brian O. Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore
& Henderson, PA; Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- Keith
A. Teel -- kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com --
Lanny A. Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- at Covington
& Burling, LLP; Christopher J. York -- at McGahren Gaskill & York,
LLC; Cynthia A. Hawkins -- Cynthia@CynthiaHawkinsLaw.com -- at Law
Office of Cynthia Hawkins; Damien Arthur Orato --
dorato@rumberger.com -- Lena Marguerite Mirilovic --
lmirilovic@rumberger.com -- Michael Daniel Begey --
mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers Culley --
sculley@rumberger.com -- William L. Kirk, Jr. -- at Rumberger,
Kirk & Caldwell; Daniel John Kissan -- daniel.kissane@csklegal.com
-- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice; Garth Thomas Yearick --
gyearick@carltonfields.com -- Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- Thomas Meeks --
tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.;
Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Loren William
Fender -- loren.fender@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda
Cardenas-Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke LLP; Matthew J. Stanczyk --
mstanczyk@plunkettcooney.com -- at Plunkett Cooney; Phillippa V.
Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton, Egan, Jones &
Sweeney, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod; Robert J. Hoffman --
rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP; Sterling Gardner
Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at Rogers & Hardin, LLP;
William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliff
Highland Industries, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor;
Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at Womble Carlyle Sandridge &
Rice; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Jerry L.
Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com -- at Leake & Anderson
LLP; Lena Marguerite Mirilovic -- lmirilovic@rumberger.com --
Michael Daniel Begey -- mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers
Culley -- sculley@rumberger.com -- Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell;
Robert J. Hoffman -- rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP;
Sterling Gardner Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at
Rogers & Hardin, LLP; William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington &
Sutcliff; Stephen J. Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com --
Thomas Meeks -- tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
Honda Motor Company, LTD, Consol Defendant, represented by Adam P.
Micale -- amicale@sidley.com -- Alexis Rollins Dunton --
adunton@sidley.com -- Amanda Farfel -- afarfel@sidley.com --
Andrew J. Chinsky -- achinsky@sidley.com -- Darlene M. Cho --
dcho@sidley.com -- Kristen E. Rau -- at Sidley Austin, LLP; Joel
H. Smith -- joel.smith@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Matthew Brooks
Miller -- brooks.miller@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman & Brooke,
LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com
-- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod
American Honda Co., Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Courtney Crook Shytle -- courtney.shytle@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke; Daniel John Kissane --
daniel.kissane@csklegal.com -- Thomas E. Scott, Jr. --
thomas.scott@csklegal.com -- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Ellyce R.
Cooper -- ecooper@sidley.com -- Eric S. Mattson --
emattson@sidley.com -- Mark Douglas Campbell --
mcampbell@sidley.com -- Michael C. Andolina --
mandolina@sidley.com -- Michael L. Mallow -- mmallow@sidley.com --
Sean A. Commons -- scommons@sidley.com -- Catherine Valerio Barrad
-- at Sidley Austin LLP
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Consol Defendant, represented by
Jessica Farley -- jessica.farley@nortonrosefulbright.com -- Steven
D. Jansma -- steven.jansma@nortonrosefulbright.com -- at Norton
Rose Fulbright US LLP
BMW of North America, LLC and BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC, Consol
Defendants, represented by Christopher J. Dalton --
christopher.dalton@bipc.com -- Rosemary Joan Bruno --
rosemary.bruno@bipc.com -- Jesse H. Diner -- jesse.diner@bipc.com
-- Stephen Carey Villeneuve -- carey.villeneuve@bipc.com -- at
Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, PC; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod; Eric Y. Kizirian -- Eric.Kizirian@lewisbrisbois.com --
Jeffrey Arthur Mowers -- Jeffrey.Mowers@lewisbrisbois.com --
Michael Keith Grimaldi -- Michael.Grimaldi@lewisbrisbois.com -- at
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard and Smith, LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -
- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Jeffrey T. Gorcyca -- jeffrey.gorcyca@bowmanandbrooke.com --
Matthew G. Berard -- matthew.berard@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Thomas
P. Branigan -- tom.branigan@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP; Philip Semprevivo, Jr. --
Philip.Semprevivo@lawbhs.com -- at Biedermann Hoenig-Semprevivo;
Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis &
Bockius LLP
Toyota Motor Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Derek S.
Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew --
etew@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; Michiko A. Brown
-- brown@wtotrial.com -- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com
-- at Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell, LLP; Robert Mark Brochin --
bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis & Bockius; John Carl
Seipp, Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering &
Manufacturing North America, Inc. Consol Defendants, represented
by Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com --
at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom --
mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod;
Kimberly A. Cook -- kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick
LLP; Derek S. Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew
-- etew@dykema.com -- Terri Steinhaus Reiskin --
treiskin@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; John Carl Seipp,
Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Donald Arthur Blackwell -
- don.blackwell@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda Cardenas-
Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke LLP; Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -
- at Lewis & Bockius LLP; Michiko A. Brown -- brown@wtotrial.com -
- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com -- at Wheeler Trigg
O'Donnell, LLP; Mark N. Bodin -- mbodin@mcglinchey.com -- Sarah
Elizabeth McMillan -- semcmillan@mcglinchey.com -- at McGlinchey
Stafford, PLLC
Chrysler Group LLC, Consol Defendant, represented by Armando
Gustavo Hernandez -- ahernandez@rumberger.com -- Scott M. Sarason
-- ssarason@rumberger.com -- at Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell, PA;
John W. Rogers -- at Coburn, LLP
MDL 2599: Remand of Esposito Suit v. Ford to Connecticut Endorsed
-----------------------------------------------------------------
In the case, IN RE: TAKATA AIRBAG PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION.
THIS DOCUMENT RELATES TO ECONOMIC LOSS TRACK CASES. ALEXANDER
ESPOSITO, et. al., Plaintiffs, v. FORD MOTOR COMPANY, Defendant,
MDL No. 2599, Master File No. 15-02599-MD-MORENO, Econ. Loss File
No. 14-24009-CV-MORENO, S.D. Fla. Case No. 19-24685-CV-MORENO (S.D.
Fla.), Judge Federico A. Moreno of the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, (i) granted Defendant
Ford's Motion for Suggestion of Remand, filed on Jan. 21, 2020; and
(ii) suggested to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
that the named case be remanded to the U.S. District Court for the
District of Connecticut.
In December 2018, the Court entered a Final Order that approved a
$299 million class settlement with Ford and that certified the
settlement class. The Court attached to the Final Order an exhibit
that listed more than 3,500 persons and entities who opted out of
the settlement class. A significant number of these "opt-outs"
reorganized by state and in the summer of 2019 began filing "group
action" complaints against Ford across more than 20 states.
Ford subsequently filed Notices of Potential Tag-Along Actions with
the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ("JPML") for each
group action. After receiving no objections to transfer, the JPML
transferred each group action to the Court for consolidated
pretrial proceedings. Once the transfers completed, Ford filed
motions to dismiss for each group action. Then -- despite having
not objected to the JPML's Conditional Transfer Orders for each
group action -- Ford filed the underlying motion, which asks the
Court to suggest to the JPML that each group action should actually
be remanded to its respective transferor court.
Meanwhile, the Plaintiffs -- who, despite opting out of the $299
million settlement that was reached as a result of consolidated
pretrial proceedings -- now want to litigate their renewed claims
against Ford in consolidated pretrial proceedings, arguing that the
Court is in the best position to make pretrial rulings and expedite
a disposition of the litigation.
After reviewing the Motion for Suggestion of Remand, the
Opposition, the Reply, and hearing from counsel during the Jan. 23,
2020 status conference, Judge Moreno now decides whether the named
group action should be recommended for remand. In so deciding, he
analyzes the group actions collectively.
The Judge finds that it is actually the parties that are in the
unique position to facilitate a resolution of the lawsuits without
the need for trials. And indeed, it appears to the Court that a
settlement was already reached in a California based group action
before transfer to the MDL proceeding was ever initiated. Thus,
the parties have already proven their ability to meaningfully work
through issues without the need for centralized proceedings.
Notably, when considering whether to transfer cases for
consolidated pretrial proceedings, the JPML has factored into its
decisions the extent of practicable informal cooperation between
counsel. In short, then, the Judge finds that the informal
cooperation already demonstrated by the counsel in these group
actions weighs in favor of remand.
The Judge now assesses the extent to which the group actions raise
common discovery issues and common legal claims, both amongst each
other and when compared to the class actions currently being
litigated in the MDL proceeding. The Plaintiffs maintain that the
group actions should remain in the Court for consolidated pretrial
proceedings. On the other hand, Ford contends that common
liability discovery is complete and thus no meaningful efficiencies
will be created by consolidation of these cases into the MDL.
The Judge finds that discovery will be needed to determine, at
minimum, when and where each plaintiff purchased or leased their
vehicle, whether each plaintiff transacted with Ford or an
authorized Ford dealer, and potentially whether each plaintiff
relied on alleged misrepresentations when purchasing or leasing
their vehicle. The discovery is case specific. It has no relation
to the common liability discovery into Ford that was completed
earlier in the MDL proceeding; it also has no relation to the
discovery currently ongoing into several other automotive
manufacturers named in the consolidated class action complaints.
For these reasons, the Judge finds that because remaining discovery
is case specific, this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
In addition to remaining discovery being case specific, there is
also a dearth of common legal issues because each group action
asserts state specific claims. Accordingly, the Judge finds that
this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
Ultimately, Judge Moreno agrees with the Plaintiffs that
consolidated pretrial proceedings would convenience the parties and
their counsel. But because the bulk of remaining discovery and the
legal claims in each group action are case specific, and because
common counsel involved in each group action have demonstrated
their ability to cooperate and resolve disputes without court
supervision, the Judge finds that under a totality of the
circumstances, the group actions will not benefit from coordinated
pretrial proceedings as part of the MDL.
For all these reasons, Judge Moreno granted the Motion for
Suggestion of Remand. The Judge respectfully suggested to the
Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation that the named case be
remanded to the U.S. District Court for the District of
Connecticut.
A full-text copy of Judge Moreno's Feb. 28, 2020 Order is available
at https://is.gd/BwEbns from Leagle.com.
Takata Airbag Products Liability Litigation, In Re, represented by
Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- at Covington &
Burling, LLP
Daniel S. Silva, James Herron, Leslie Flaherty, Holly Ruth, M&K
Used Auto Parts, Inc., Robert Barto, John Meiser, Charles & Vickie
Burd Plaintiffs, Charles & Dana Talamantes, Eugennie Sinclair,
Quarnos Auto Salvage, Daniel Thies, Camila G. Corteleti, Rigsby's
Auto Parts & Sales, Inc., Darla Spies, Vickie Burd, Dana
Talamantes, Alicia Benton, Justin S. Birdsall, Loren Petersen,
Eric Rosson, Teresa Woodard, Plaintiffs, represented by Peter
Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Mary Hasley, Megan Sayre-Scibona, Pamela Wilsey, Doreen Dembeck,
Helen Klemer, Lisa Peterson, Plaintiffs, represented by Brian
Morrison -- bmorrison@labaton.com -- Daniel R. Leathers -- at
Labaton Sucharow, LLP; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Regina M. Reilly, Rebecca Lew, Carla Thompson, Plaintiffs,
represented by W. Daniel Miles, III -- dee.miles@beasleyallen.com
-- Archie I. Grubb, II -- archie.grubb@beasleyallen.com -- H. Clay
Barnett -- clay.barnett@beasleyallen.com -- at Beasley Allen Crow
Methvin Portis & Miles; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Plaintiffs Lead Counsel, Plaintiff, represented by Peter Prieto --
pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; Curtis Bradley
Miner -- curt@colson.com -- Stephanie Anne Casey --
scasey@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Gurinder Dhillon, Plaintiff, represented by Curtis Bradley Miner -
- curt@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Craig Dunn, Consol Plaintiff, represented by Aaron Samuel Podhurst
-- apodhurst@podhurst.com -- John Gravante, III --
jgravante@podhurst.com -- Matthew Weinshall --
mweinshall@podhurst.com -- Stephen Frederick Rosenthal --
srosenthal@podhurst.com -- Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com --
at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; David Fernandes --
dfernandes@baronbudd.com -- J. Burton LeBlanc -- Mark Pifko --
mpifko@baronbudd.com -- Pablo Orozco -- Roland Tellis --
rtellis@baronbudd.com -- at Baron & Budd, PC; Michael P. Thornton
-- mthornton@tenlaw.com -- at Thornton Law Firm, LLP; Eric D.
Gottlieb -- egottlieb@labaton.com -- Gregory S. Asciolla --
gasciolla@labaton.com -- Katherine R. Ryan -- Lawrence A. Sucharow
-- lsucharow@labaton.com -- Martis Alex -- Michael W. Stocker --
mstocker@labaton.com -- Robin A. van der Meulen --
rvandermeulen@labaton.com -- at Labaton Sucharow LLP
FCA US LLC, Defendant, represented by Martin Leonard Steinberg --
marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Scott M. Sarason -- ssarason@rumberger.com
-- at Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell
Inflation Systems Inc., Defendant, represented by Stephen J.
Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
General Motors LLC, Defendant, represented by Laurie Michele Riley
-- lriley@joneswalker.com -- at Jones Walker LLP; Leonid Feller --
leonid.feller@kirkland.com -- Renee D. Smith --
renee.smith@kirkland.com -- at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP
Takata Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by Brian O.
Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore & Henderson,
PA; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; Keith A. Teel --
kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com -- Lanny A.
Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- Paul W.
Schmidt -- pschmidt@cov.com -- at Covington & Burling, LLP;
Phillippa V. Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton,
Egan, Jones & Sweeney, LLP; T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.
TK Holdings, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by Alex P.
Tilling -- atilling@leakeandersson.com -- Cristin Fitzgerald
Bordelon -- Jerry L. Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com --
at Leake & Anderson LLP; Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent
-- ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor,
LLP; Brian O. Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore
& Henderson, PA; Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- Keith
A. Teel -- kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com --
Lanny A. Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- at Covington
& Burling, LLP; Christopher J. York -- at McGahren Gaskill & York,
LLC; Cynthia A. Hawkins -- Cynthia@CynthiaHawkinsLaw.com -- at Law
Office of Cynthia Hawkins; Damien Arthur Orato --
dorato@rumberger.com -- Lena Marguerite Mirilovic --
lmirilovic@rumberger.com -- Michael Daniel Begey --
mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers Culley --
sculley@rumberger.com -- William L. Kirk, Jr. -- at Rumberger,
Kirk & Caldwell; Daniel John Kissan -- daniel.kissane@csklegal.com
-- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice; Garth Thomas Yearick --
gyearick@carltonfields.com -- Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- Thomas Meeks --
tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.;
Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Loren William
Fender -- loren.fender@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda
Cardenas-Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke LLP; Matthew J. Stanczyk --
mstanczyk@plunkettcooney.com -- at Plunkett Cooney; Phillippa V.
Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton, Egan, Jones &
Sweeney, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod; Robert J. Hoffman --
rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP; Sterling Gardner
Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at Rogers & Hardin, LLP;
William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliff
Highland Industries, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor;
Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at Womble Carlyle Sandridge &
Rice; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Jerry L.
Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com -- at Leake & Anderson
LLP; Lena Marguerite Mirilovic -- lmirilovic@rumberger.com --
Michael Daniel Begey -- mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers
Culley -- sculley@rumberger.com -- Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell;
Robert J. Hoffman -- rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP;
Sterling Gardner Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at
Rogers & Hardin, LLP; William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington &
Sutcliff; Stephen J. Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com --
Thomas Meeks -- tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
Honda Motor Company, LTD, Consol Defendant, represented by Adam P.
Micale -- amicale@sidley.com -- Alexis Rollins Dunton --
adunton@sidley.com -- Amanda Farfel -- afarfel@sidley.com --
Andrew J. Chinsky -- achinsky@sidley.com -- Darlene M. Cho --
dcho@sidley.com -- Kristen E. Rau -- at Sidley Austin, LLP; Joel
H. Smith -- joel.smith@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Matthew Brooks
Miller -- brooks.miller@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman & Brooke,
LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com
-- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod
American Honda Co., Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Courtney Crook Shytle -- courtney.shytle@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke; Daniel John Kissane --
daniel.kissane@csklegal.com -- Thomas E. Scott, Jr. --
thomas.scott@csklegal.com -- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Ellyce R.
Cooper -- ecooper@sidley.com -- Eric S. Mattson --
emattson@sidley.com -- Mark Douglas Campbell --
mcampbell@sidley.com -- Michael C. Andolina --
mandolina@sidley.com -- Michael L. Mallow -- mmallow@sidley.com --
Sean A. Commons -- scommons@sidley.com -- Catherine Valerio Barrad
-- at Sidley Austin LLP
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Consol Defendant, represented by
Jessica Farley -- jessica.farley@nortonrosefulbright.com -- Steven
D. Jansma -- steven.jansma@nortonrosefulbright.com -- at Norton
Rose Fulbright US LLP
BMW of North America, LLC and BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC, Consol
Defendants, represented by Christopher J. Dalton --
christopher.dalton@bipc.com -- Rosemary Joan Bruno --
rosemary.bruno@bipc.com -- Jesse H. Diner -- jesse.diner@bipc.com
-- Stephen Carey Villeneuve -- carey.villeneuve@bipc.com -- at
Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, PC; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod; Eric Y. Kizirian -- Eric.Kizirian@lewisbrisbois.com --
Jeffrey Arthur Mowers -- Jeffrey.Mowers@lewisbrisbois.com --
Michael Keith Grimaldi -- Michael.Grimaldi@lewisbrisbois.com -- at
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard and Smith, LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -
- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Jeffrey T. Gorcyca -- jeffrey.gorcyca@bowmanandbrooke.com --
Matthew G. Berard -- matthew.berard@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Thomas
P. Branigan -- tom.branigan@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP; Philip Semprevivo, Jr. --
Philip.Semprevivo@lawbhs.com -- at Biedermann Hoenig-Semprevivo;
Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis &
Bockius LLP
Toyota Motor Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Derek S.
Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew --
etew@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; Michiko A. Brown
-- brown@wtotrial.com -- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com
-- at Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell, LLP; Robert Mark Brochin --
bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis & Bockius; John Carl
Seipp, Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering &
Manufacturing North America, Inc. Consol Defendants, represented
by Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com --
at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom --
mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod;
Kimberly A. Cook -- kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick
LLP; Derek S. Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew
-- etew@dykema.com -- Terri Steinhaus Reiskin --
treiskin@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; John Carl Seipp,
Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Donald Arthur Blackwell -
- don.blackwell@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda Cardenas-
Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke LLP; Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -
- at Lewis & Bockius LLP; Michiko A. Brown -- brown@wtotrial.com -
- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com -- at Wheeler Trigg
O'Donnell, LLP; Mark N. Bodin -- mbodin@mcglinchey.com -- Sarah
Elizabeth McMillan -- semcmillan@mcglinchey.com -- at McGlinchey
Stafford, PLLC
Chrysler Group LLC, Consol Defendant, represented by Armando
Gustavo Hernandez -- ahernandez@rumberger.com -- Scott M. Sarason
-- ssarason@rumberger.com -- at Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell, PA;
John W. Rogers -- at Coburn, LLP
MDL 2599: Remand of Gallardo Suit v. Ford to Colorado Endorsed
--------------------------------------------------------------
In the case, IN RE: TAKATA AIRBAG PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION.
THIS DOCUMENT RELATES TO ECONOMIC LOSS TRACK CASES. JOSEPH
GALLARDO, et. al., Plaintiffs, v. FORD MOTOR COMPANY, Defendant,
MDL No. 2599, Master File No. 15-02599-MD-MORENO, Econ. Loss File
No. 14-24009-CV-MORENO, S.D. Fla. Case No. 19-24326-CV-MORENO (S.D.
Fla.), Judge Federico A. Moreno of the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, (i) granted Defendant
Ford's Motion for Suggestion of Remand, filed on Jan. 21, 2020; and
(ii) suggested to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
that the named case be remanded to the U.S. District Court for the
District of Colorado.
In December 2018, the Court entered a Final Order that approved a
$299 million class settlement with Ford and that certified the
settlement class. The Court attached to the Final Order an exhibit
that listed more than 3,500 persons and entities who opted out of
the settlement class. A significant number of these "opt-outs"
reorganized by state and in the summer of 2019 began filing "group
action" complaints against Ford across more than 20 states.
Ford subsequently filed Notices of Potential Tag-Along Actions with
the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ("JPML") for each
group action. After receiving no objections to transfer, the JPML
transferred each group action to the Court for consolidated
pretrial proceedings. Once the transfers completed, Ford filed
motions to dismiss for each group action. Then -- despite having
not objected to the JPML's Conditional Transfer Orders for each
group action -- Ford filed the underlying motion, which asks the
Court to suggest to the JPML that each group action should actually
be remanded to its respective transferor court.
Meanwhile, the Plaintiffs -- who, despite opting out of the $299
million settlement that was reached as a result of consolidated
pretrial proceedings -- now want to litigate their renewed claims
against Ford in consolidated pretrial proceedings, arguing that the
Court is in the best position to make pretrial rulings and expedite
a disposition of the litigation.
After reviewing the Motion for Suggestion of Remand, the
Opposition, the Reply, and hearing from counsel during the Jan. 23,
2020 status conference, Judge Moreno now decides whether the named
group action should be recommended for remand. In so deciding, the
Judge analyzes the group actions collectively.
The Judge finds that it is actually the parties that are in the
unique position to facilitate a resolution of the lawsuits without
the need for trials. And indeed, it appears to the Court that a
settlement was already reached in a California based group action
before transfer to the MDL proceeding was ever initiated. Thus,
the parties have already proven their ability to meaningfully work
through issues without the need for centralized proceedings.
Notably, when considering whether to transfer cases for
consolidated pretrial proceedings, the JPML has factored into its
decisions the extent of practicable informal cooperation between
counsel. In short, then, the Judge finds that the informal
cooperation already demonstrated by the counsel in these group
actions weighs in favor of remand.
The Judge now assesses the extent to which the group actions raise
common discovery issues and common legal claims, both amongst each
other and when compared to the class actions currently being
litigated in the MDL proceeding. The Plaintiffs maintain that the
group actions should remain in the Court for consolidated pretrial
proceedings. On the other hand, Ford contends that common
liability discovery is complete and thus no meaningful efficiencies
will be created by consolidation of these cases into the MDL.
The Judge finds that discovery will be needed to determine, at
minimum, when and where each plaintiff purchased or leased their
vehicle, whether each plaintiff transacted with Ford or an
authorized Ford dealer, and potentially whether each plaintiff
relied on alleged misrepresentations when purchasing or leasing
their vehicle. The discovery is case specific. It has no relation
to the common liability discovery into Ford that was completed
earlier in the MDL proceeding; it also has no relation to the
discovery currently ongoing into several other automotive
manufacturers named in the consolidated class action complaints.
For these reasons, the Judge finds that because remaining discovery
is case specific, this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
In addition to remaining discovery being case specific, there is
also a dearth of common legal issues because each group action
asserts state specific claims. Accordingly, the Judge finds that
this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
Ultimately, Judge Moreno agrees with the Plaintiffs that
consolidated pretrial proceedings would convenience the parties and
their counsel. But because the bulk of remaining discovery and the
legal claims in each group action are case specific, and because
common counsel involved in each group action have demonstrated
their ability to cooperate and resolve disputes without court
supervision, the Judge finds that under a totality of the
circumstances, the group actions will not benefit from coordinated
pretrial proceedings as part of the MDL.
For all these reasons, Judge Moreno granted the Motion for
Suggestion of Remand. The Judge respectfully suggested to the
Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation that the named case be
remanded to the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado.
A full-text copy of Judge Moreno's Feb. 28, 2020 Order is available
at https://is.gd/m8i5we from Leagle.com.
Takata Airbag Products Liability Litigation, In Re, represented by
Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- at Covington &
Burling, LLP
Daniel S. Silva, James Herron, Leslie Flaherty, Holly Ruth, M&K
Used Auto Parts, Inc., Robert Barto, John Meiser, Charles & Vickie
Burd Plaintiffs, Charles & Dana Talamantes, Eugennie Sinclair,
Quarnos Auto Salvage, Daniel Thies, Camila G. Corteleti, Rigsby's
Auto Parts & Sales, Inc., Darla Spies, Vickie Burd, Dana
Talamantes, Alicia Benton, Justin S. Birdsall, Loren Petersen,
Eric Rosson, Teresa Woodard, Plaintiffs, represented by Peter
Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Mary Hasley, Megan Sayre-Scibona, Pamela Wilsey, Doreen Dembeck,
Helen Klemer, Lisa Peterson, Plaintiffs, represented by Brian
Morrison -- bmorrison@labaton.com -- Daniel R. Leathers -- at
Labaton Sucharow, LLP; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Regina M. Reilly, Rebecca Lew, Carla Thompson, Plaintiffs,
represented by W. Daniel Miles, III -- dee.miles@beasleyallen.com
-- Archie I. Grubb, II -- archie.grubb@beasleyallen.com -- H. Clay
Barnett -- clay.barnett@beasleyallen.com -- at Beasley Allen Crow
Methvin Portis & Miles; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Plaintiffs Lead Counsel, Plaintiff, represented by Peter Prieto --
pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; Curtis Bradley
Miner -- curt@colson.com -- Stephanie Anne Casey --
scasey@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Gurinder Dhillon, Plaintiff, represented by Curtis Bradley Miner -
- curt@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Craig Dunn, Consol Plaintiff, represented by Aaron Samuel Podhurst
-- apodhurst@podhurst.com -- John Gravante, III --
jgravante@podhurst.com -- Matthew Weinshall --
mweinshall@podhurst.com -- Stephen Frederick Rosenthal --
srosenthal@podhurst.com -- Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com --
at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; David Fernandes --
dfernandes@baronbudd.com -- J. Burton LeBlanc -- Mark Pifko --
mpifko@baronbudd.com -- Pablo Orozco -- Roland Tellis --
rtellis@baronbudd.com -- at Baron & Budd, PC; Michael P. Thornton
-- mthornton@tenlaw.com -- at Thornton Law Firm, LLP; Eric D.
Gottlieb -- egottlieb@labaton.com -- Gregory S. Asciolla --
gasciolla@labaton.com -- Katherine R. Ryan -- Lawrence A. Sucharow
-- lsucharow@labaton.com -- Martis Alex -- Michael W. Stocker --
mstocker@labaton.com -- Robin A. van der Meulen --
rvandermeulen@labaton.com -- at Labaton Sucharow LLP
FCA US LLC, Defendant, represented by Martin Leonard Steinberg --
marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Scott M. Sarason -- ssarason@rumberger.com
-- at Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell
Inflation Systems Inc., Defendant, represented by Stephen J.
Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
General Motors LLC, Defendant, represented by Laurie Michele Riley
-- lriley@joneswalker.com -- at Jones Walker LLP; Leonid Feller --
leonid.feller@kirkland.com -- Renee D. Smith --
renee.smith@kirkland.com -- at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP
Takata Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by Brian O.
Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore & Henderson,
PA; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; Keith A. Teel --
kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com -- Lanny A.
Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- Paul W.
Schmidt -- pschmidt@cov.com -- at Covington & Burling, LLP;
Phillippa V. Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton,
Egan, Jones & Sweeney, LLP; T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.
TK Holdings, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by Alex P.
Tilling -- atilling@leakeandersson.com -- Cristin Fitzgerald
Bordelon -- Jerry L. Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com --
at Leake & Anderson LLP; Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent
-- ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor,
LLP; Brian O. Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore
& Henderson, PA; Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- Keith
A. Teel -- kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com --
Lanny A. Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- at Covington
& Burling, LLP; Christopher J. York -- at McGahren Gaskill & York,
LLC; Cynthia A. Hawkins -- Cynthia@CynthiaHawkinsLaw.com -- at Law
Office of Cynthia Hawkins; Damien Arthur Orato --
dorato@rumberger.com -- Lena Marguerite Mirilovic --
lmirilovic@rumberger.com -- Michael Daniel Begey --
mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers Culley --
sculley@rumberger.com -- William L. Kirk, Jr. -- at Rumberger,
Kirk & Caldwell; Daniel John Kissan -- daniel.kissane@csklegal.com
-- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice; Garth Thomas Yearick --
gyearick@carltonfields.com -- Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- Thomas Meeks --
tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.;
Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Loren William
Fender -- loren.fender@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda
Cardenas-Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke LLP; Matthew J. Stanczyk --
mstanczyk@plunkettcooney.com -- at Plunkett Cooney; Phillippa V.
Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton, Egan, Jones &
Sweeney, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod; Robert J. Hoffman --
rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP; Sterling Gardner
Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at Rogers & Hardin, LLP;
William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliff
Highland Industries, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor;
Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at Womble Carlyle Sandridge &
Rice; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Jerry L.
Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com -- at Leake & Anderson
LLP; Lena Marguerite Mirilovic -- lmirilovic@rumberger.com --
Michael Daniel Begey -- mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers
Culley -- sculley@rumberger.com -- Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell;
Robert J. Hoffman -- rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP;
Sterling Gardner Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at
Rogers & Hardin, LLP; William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington &
Sutcliff; Stephen J. Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com --
Thomas Meeks -- tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
Honda Motor Company, LTD, Consol Defendant, represented by Adam P.
Micale -- amicale@sidley.com -- Alexis Rollins Dunton --
adunton@sidley.com -- Amanda Farfel -- afarfel@sidley.com --
Andrew J. Chinsky -- achinsky@sidley.com -- Darlene M. Cho --
dcho@sidley.com -- Kristen E. Rau -- at Sidley Austin, LLP; Joel
H. Smith -- joel.smith@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Matthew Brooks
Miller -- brooks.miller@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman & Brooke,
LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com
-- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod
American Honda Co., Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Courtney Crook Shytle -- courtney.shytle@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke; Daniel John Kissane --
daniel.kissane@csklegal.com -- Thomas E. Scott, Jr. --
thomas.scott@csklegal.com -- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Ellyce R.
Cooper -- ecooper@sidley.com -- Eric S. Mattson --
emattson@sidley.com -- Mark Douglas Campbell --
mcampbell@sidley.com -- Michael C. Andolina --
mandolina@sidley.com -- Michael L. Mallow -- mmallow@sidley.com --
Sean A. Commons -- scommons@sidley.com -- Catherine Valerio Barrad
-- at Sidley Austin LLP
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Consol Defendant, represented by
Jessica Farley -- jessica.farley@nortonrosefulbright.com -- Steven
D. Jansma -- steven.jansma@nortonrosefulbright.com -- at Norton
Rose Fulbright US LLP
BMW of North America, LLC and BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC, Consol
Defendants, represented by Christopher J. Dalton --
christopher.dalton@bipc.com -- Rosemary Joan Bruno --
rosemary.bruno@bipc.com -- Jesse H. Diner -- jesse.diner@bipc.com
-- Stephen Carey Villeneuve -- carey.villeneuve@bipc.com -- at
Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, PC; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod; Eric Y. Kizirian -- Eric.Kizirian@lewisbrisbois.com --
Jeffrey Arthur Mowers -- Jeffrey.Mowers@lewisbrisbois.com --
Michael Keith Grimaldi -- Michael.Grimaldi@lewisbrisbois.com -- at
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard and Smith, LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -
- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Jeffrey T. Gorcyca -- jeffrey.gorcyca@bowmanandbrooke.com --
Matthew G. Berard -- matthew.berard@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Thomas
P. Branigan -- tom.branigan@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP; Philip Semprevivo, Jr. --
Philip.Semprevivo@lawbhs.com -- at Biedermann Hoenig-Semprevivo;
Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis &
Bockius LLP
Toyota Motor Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Derek S.
Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew --
etew@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; Michiko A. Brown
-- brown@wtotrial.com -- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com
-- at Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell, LLP; Robert Mark Brochin --
bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis & Bockius; John Carl
Seipp, Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering &
Manufacturing North America, Inc. Consol Defendants, represented
by Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com --
at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom --
mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod;
Kimberly A. Cook -- kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick
LLP; Derek S. Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew
-- etew@dykema.com -- Terri Steinhaus Reiskin --
treiskin@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; John Carl Seipp,
Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Donald Arthur Blackwell -
- don.blackwell@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda Cardenas-
Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke LLP; Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -
- at Lewis & Bockius LLP; Michiko A. Brown -- brown@wtotrial.com -
- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com -- at Wheeler Trigg
O'Donnell, LLP; Mark N. Bodin -- mbodin@mcglinchey.com -- Sarah
Elizabeth McMillan -- semcmillan@mcglinchey.com -- at McGlinchey
Stafford, PLLC
Chrysler Group LLC, Consol Defendant, represented by Armando
Gustavo Hernandez -- ahernandez@rumberger.com -- Scott M. Sarason
-- ssarason@rumberger.com -- at Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell, PA;
John W. Rogers -- at Coburn, LLP
MDL 2599: Remand of George Suit v. Ford to Utah Endorsed
--------------------------------------------------------
In the case, IN RE: TAKATA AIRBAG PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION.
THIS DOCUMENT RELATES TO ECONOMIC LOSS TRACK CASES. JAMES GEORGE,
et. al., Plaintiffs, v. FORD MOTOR COMPANY, Defendant, MDL No.
2599, Master File No. 15-02599-MD-MORENO, Econ. Loss File No.
14-24009-CV-MORENO, S.D. Fla. Case No. 20-20387-CV-MORENO (S.D.
Fla.), Judge Federico A. Moreno of the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, (i) granted Defendant
Ford's Motion for Suggestion of Remand, filed on Jan. 21, 2020; and
(ii) suggested to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
that the named case be remanded to the U.S. District Court for the
District of Utah.
In December 2018, the Court entered a Final Order that approved a
$299 million class settlement with Ford and that certified the
settlement class. The Court attached to the Final Order an exhibit
that listed more than 3,500 persons and entities who opted out of
the settlement class. A significant number of these "opt-outs"
reorganized by state and in the summer of 2019 began filing "group
action" complaints against Ford across more than 20 states.
Ford subsequently filed Notices of Potential Tag-Along Actions with
the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ("JPML") for each
group action. After receiving no objections to transfer, the JPML
transferred each group action to the Court for consolidated
pretrial proceedings. Once the transfers completed, Ford filed
motions to dismiss for each group action. Then -- despite having
not objected to the JPML's Conditional Transfer Orders for each
group action -- Ford filed the underlying motion, which asks the
Court to suggest to the JPML that each group action should actually
be remanded to its respective transferor court.
Meanwhile, the Plaintiffs -- who, despite opting out of the $299
million settlement that was reached as a result of consolidated
pretrial proceedings -- now want to litigate their renewed claims
against Ford in consolidated pretrial proceedings, arguing that the
Court is in the best position to make pretrial rulings and expedite
a disposition of the litigation.
After reviewing the Motion for Suggestion of Remand, the
Opposition, the Reply, and hearing from counsel during the Jan. 23,
2020 status conference, Judge Moreno now decides whether the named
group action should be recommended for remand. In so deciding, the
Judge analyzes the group actions collectively.
The Judge finds that it is actually the parties that are in the
unique position to facilitate a resolution of the lawsuits without
the need for trials. And indeed, it appears to the Court that a
settlement was already reached in a California based group action
before transfer to the MDL proceeding was ever initiated. Thus,
the parties have already proven their ability to meaningfully work
through issues without the need for centralized proceedings.
Notably, when considering whether to transfer cases for
consolidated pretrial proceedings, the JPML has factored into its
decisions the extent of practicable informal cooperation between
counsel. In short, then, the Judge finds that the informal
cooperation already demonstrated by the counsel in these group
actions weighs in favor of remand.
The Judge now assesses the extent to which the group actions raise
common discovery issues and common legal claims, both amongst each
other and when compared to the class actions currently being
litigated in the MDL proceeding. The Plaintiffs maintain that the
group actions should remain in the Court for consolidated pretrial
proceedings. On the other hand, Ford contends that common
liability discovery is complete and thus no meaningful efficiencies
will be created by consolidation of these cases into the MDL.
The Judge finds that discovery will be needed to determine, at
minimum, when and where each plaintiff purchased or leased their
vehicle, whether each plaintiff transacted with Ford or an
authorized Ford dealer, and potentially whether each plaintiff
relied on alleged misrepresentations when purchasing or leasing
their vehicle. The discovery is case specific. It has no relation
to the common liability discovery into Ford that was completed
earlier in the MDL proceeding; it also has no relation to the
discovery currently ongoing into several other automotive
manufacturers named in the consolidated class action complaints.
For these reasons, the Judge finds that because remaining discovery
is case specific, this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
In addition to remaining discovery being case specific, there is
also a dearth of common legal issues because each group action
asserts state specific claims. Accordingly, the Judge finds that
this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
Ultimately, Judge Moreno agrees with the Plaintiffs that
consolidated pretrial proceedings would convenience the parties and
their counsel. But because the bulk of remaining discovery and the
legal claims in each group action are case specific, and because
common counsel involved in each group action have demonstrated
their ability to cooperate and resolve disputes without court
supervision, Judge Moreno finds that under a totality of the
circumstances, the group actions will not benefit from coordinated
pretrial proceedings as part of the MDL.
For all these reasons, Judge Moreno granted the Motion for
Suggestion of Remand. The Judge respectfully suggested to the
Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation that the named case be
remanded to the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah.
A full-text copy of Judge Moreno's Feb. 28, 2020 Order is available
at https://is.gd/9ij8Gw from Leagle.com.
Takata Airbag Products Liability Litigation, In Re, represented by
Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- at Covington &
Burling, LLP
Daniel S. Silva, James Herron, Leslie Flaherty, Holly Ruth, M&K
Used Auto Parts, Inc., Robert Barto, John Meiser, Charles & Vickie
Burd Plaintiffs, Charles & Dana Talamantes, Eugennie Sinclair,
Quarnos Auto Salvage, Daniel Thies, Camila G. Corteleti, Rigsby's
Auto Parts & Sales, Inc., Darla Spies, Vickie Burd, Dana
Talamantes, Alicia Benton, Justin S. Birdsall, Loren Petersen,
Eric Rosson, Teresa Woodard, Plaintiffs, represented by Peter
Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Mary Hasley, Megan Sayre-Scibona, Pamela Wilsey, Doreen Dembeck,
Helen Klemer, Lisa Peterson, Plaintiffs, represented by Brian
Morrison -- bmorrison@labaton.com -- Daniel R. Leathers -- at
Labaton Sucharow, LLP; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Regina M. Reilly, Rebecca Lew, Carla Thompson, Plaintiffs,
represented by W. Daniel Miles, III -- dee.miles@beasleyallen.com
-- Archie I. Grubb, II -- archie.grubb@beasleyallen.com -- H. Clay
Barnett -- clay.barnett@beasleyallen.com -- at Beasley Allen Crow
Methvin Portis & Miles; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Plaintiffs Lead Counsel, Plaintiff, represented by Peter Prieto --
pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; Curtis Bradley
Miner -- curt@colson.com -- Stephanie Anne Casey --
scasey@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Gurinder Dhillon, Plaintiff, represented by Curtis Bradley Miner -
- curt@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Craig Dunn, Consol Plaintiff, represented by Aaron Samuel Podhurst
-- apodhurst@podhurst.com -- John Gravante, III --
jgravante@podhurst.com -- Matthew Weinshall --
mweinshall@podhurst.com -- Stephen Frederick Rosenthal --
srosenthal@podhurst.com -- Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com --
at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; David Fernandes --
dfernandes@baronbudd.com -- J. Burton LeBlanc -- Mark Pifko --
mpifko@baronbudd.com -- Pablo Orozco -- Roland Tellis --
rtellis@baronbudd.com -- at Baron & Budd, PC; Michael P. Thornton
-- mthornton@tenlaw.com -- at Thornton Law Firm, LLP; Eric D.
Gottlieb -- egottlieb@labaton.com -- Gregory S. Asciolla --
gasciolla@labaton.com -- Katherine R. Ryan -- Lawrence A. Sucharow
-- lsucharow@labaton.com -- Martis Alex -- Michael W. Stocker --
mstocker@labaton.com -- Robin A. van der Meulen --
rvandermeulen@labaton.com -- at Labaton Sucharow LLP
FCA US LLC, Defendant, represented by Martin Leonard Steinberg --
marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Scott M. Sarason -- ssarason@rumberger.com
-- at Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell
Inflation Systems Inc., Defendant, represented by Stephen J.
Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
General Motors LLC, Defendant, represented by Laurie Michele Riley
-- lriley@joneswalker.com -- at Jones Walker LLP; Leonid Feller --
leonid.feller@kirkland.com -- Renee D. Smith --
renee.smith@kirkland.com -- at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP
Takata Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by Brian O.
Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore & Henderson,
PA; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; Keith A. Teel --
kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com -- Lanny A.
Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- Paul W.
Schmidt -- pschmidt@cov.com -- at Covington & Burling, LLP;
Phillippa V. Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton,
Egan, Jones & Sweeney, LLP; T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.
TK Holdings, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by Alex P.
Tilling -- atilling@leakeandersson.com -- Cristin Fitzgerald
Bordelon -- Jerry L. Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com --
at Leake & Anderson LLP; Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent
-- ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor,
LLP; Brian O. Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore
& Henderson, PA; Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- Keith
A. Teel -- kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com --
Lanny A. Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- at Covington
& Burling, LLP; Christopher J. York -- at McGahren Gaskill & York,
LLC; Cynthia A. Hawkins -- Cynthia@CynthiaHawkinsLaw.com -- at Law
Office of Cynthia Hawkins; Damien Arthur Orato --
dorato@rumberger.com -- Lena Marguerite Mirilovic --
lmirilovic@rumberger.com -- Michael Daniel Begey --
mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers Culley --
sculley@rumberger.com -- William L. Kirk, Jr. -- at Rumberger,
Kirk & Caldwell; Daniel John Kissan -- daniel.kissane@csklegal.com
-- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice; Garth Thomas Yearick --
gyearick@carltonfields.com -- Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- Thomas Meeks --
tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.;
Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Loren William
Fender -- loren.fender@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda
Cardenas-Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke LLP; Matthew J. Stanczyk --
mstanczyk@plunkettcooney.com -- at Plunkett Cooney; Phillippa V.
Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton, Egan, Jones &
Sweeney, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod; Robert J. Hoffman --
rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP; Sterling Gardner
Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at Rogers & Hardin, LLP;
William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliff
Highland Industries, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor;
Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at Womble Carlyle Sandridge &
Rice; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Jerry L.
Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com -- at Leake & Anderson
LLP; Lena Marguerite Mirilovic -- lmirilovic@rumberger.com --
Michael Daniel Begey -- mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers
Culley -- sculley@rumberger.com -- Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell;
Robert J. Hoffman -- rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP;
Sterling Gardner Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at
Rogers & Hardin, LLP; William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington &
Sutcliff; Stephen J. Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com --
Thomas Meeks -- tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
Honda Motor Company, LTD, Consol Defendant, represented by Adam P.
Micale -- amicale@sidley.com -- Alexis Rollins Dunton --
adunton@sidley.com -- Amanda Farfel -- afarfel@sidley.com --
Andrew J. Chinsky -- achinsky@sidley.com -- Darlene M. Cho --
dcho@sidley.com -- Kristen E. Rau -- at Sidley Austin, LLP; Joel
H. Smith -- joel.smith@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Matthew Brooks
Miller -- brooks.miller@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman & Brooke,
LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com
-- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod
American Honda Co., Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Courtney Crook Shytle -- courtney.shytle@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke; Daniel John Kissane --
daniel.kissane@csklegal.com -- Thomas E. Scott, Jr. --
thomas.scott@csklegal.com -- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Ellyce R.
Cooper -- ecooper@sidley.com -- Eric S. Mattson --
emattson@sidley.com -- Mark Douglas Campbell --
mcampbell@sidley.com -- Michael C. Andolina --
mandolina@sidley.com -- Michael L. Mallow -- mmallow@sidley.com --
Sean A. Commons -- scommons@sidley.com -- Catherine Valerio Barrad
-- at Sidley Austin LLP
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Consol Defendant, represented by
Jessica Farley -- jessica.farley@nortonrosefulbright.com -- Steven
D. Jansma -- steven.jansma@nortonrosefulbright.com -- at Norton
Rose Fulbright US LLP
BMW of North America, LLC and BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC, Consol
Defendants, represented by Christopher J. Dalton --
christopher.dalton@bipc.com -- Rosemary Joan Bruno --
rosemary.bruno@bipc.com -- Jesse H. Diner -- jesse.diner@bipc.com
-- Stephen Carey Villeneuve -- carey.villeneuve@bipc.com -- at
Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, PC; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod; Eric Y. Kizirian -- Eric.Kizirian@lewisbrisbois.com --
Jeffrey Arthur Mowers -- Jeffrey.Mowers@lewisbrisbois.com --
Michael Keith Grimaldi -- Michael.Grimaldi@lewisbrisbois.com -- at
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard and Smith, LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -
- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Jeffrey T. Gorcyca -- jeffrey.gorcyca@bowmanandbrooke.com --
Matthew G. Berard -- matthew.berard@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Thomas
P. Branigan -- tom.branigan@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP; Philip Semprevivo, Jr. --
Philip.Semprevivo@lawbhs.com -- at Biedermann Hoenig-Semprevivo;
Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis &
Bockius LLP
Toyota Motor Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Derek S.
Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew --
etew@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; Michiko A. Brown
-- brown@wtotrial.com -- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com
-- at Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell, LLP; Robert Mark Brochin --
bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis & Bockius; John Carl
Seipp, Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering &
Manufacturing North America, Inc. Consol Defendants, represented
by Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com --
at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom --
mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod;
Kimberly A. Cook -- kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick
LLP; Derek S. Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew
-- etew@dykema.com -- Terri Steinhaus Reiskin --
treiskin@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; John Carl Seipp,
Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Donald Arthur Blackwell -
- don.blackwell@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda Cardenas-
Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke LLP; Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -
- at Lewis & Bockius LLP; Michiko A. Brown -- brown@wtotrial.com -
- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com -- at Wheeler Trigg
O'Donnell, LLP; Mark N. Bodin -- mbodin@mcglinchey.com -- Sarah
Elizabeth McMillan -- semcmillan@mcglinchey.com -- at McGlinchey
Stafford, PLLC
Chrysler Group LLC, Consol Defendant, represented by Armando
Gustavo Hernandez -- ahernandez@rumberger.com -- Scott M. Sarason
-- ssarason@rumberger.com -- at Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell, PA;
John W. Rogers -- at Coburn, LLP.
MDL 2599: Remand of Green Suit v. Ford to E.D. Arkansas Endorsed
----------------------------------------------------------------
In the case, IN RE: TAKATA AIRBAG PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION.
THIS DOCUMENT RELATES TO ECONOMIC LOSS TRACK CASES. DIANE GREEN,
et. al., Plaintiffs, v. FORD MOTOR COMPANY, Defendant, MDL No.
2599, Master File No. 15-02599-MD-MORENO, Econ. Loss File No.
14-24009-CV-MORENO, S.D. Fla. Case No. 19-25056-CV-MORENO (S.D.
Fla.), Judge Federico A. Moreno of the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, (i) granted Defendant
Ford's Motion for Suggestion of Remand, filed on Jan. 21, 2020; and
(ii) suggested to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
that the named case be remanded to the U.S. District Court for the
Eastern District of Arkansas.
In December 2018, the Court entered a Final Order that approved a
$299 million class settlement with Ford and that certified the
settlement class. The Court attached to the Final Order an exhibit
that listed more than 3,500 persons and entities who opted out of
the settlement class. A significant number of these "opt-outs"
reorganized by state and in the summer of 2019 began filing "group
action" complaints against Ford across more than 20 states.
Ford subsequently filed Notices of Potential Tag-Along Actions with
the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ("JPML") for each
group action. After receiving no objections to transfer, the JPML
transferred each group action to the Court for consolidated
pretrial proceedings. Once the transfers completed, Ford filed
motions to dismiss for each group action. Then -- despite having
not objected to the JPML's Conditional Transfer Orders for each
group action -- Ford filed the underlying motion, which asks the
Court to suggest to the JPML that each group action should actually
be remanded to its respective transferor court.
Meanwhile, the Plaintiffs -- who, despite opting out of the $299
million settlement that was reached as a result of consolidated
pretrial proceedings -- now want to litigate their renewed claims
against Ford in consolidated pretrial proceedings, arguing that the
Court is in the best position to make pretrial rulings and expedite
a disposition of the litigation.
After reviewing the Motion for Suggestion of Remand, the
Opposition, the Reply, and hearing from counsel during the Jan. 23,
2020 status conference, Judge Moreno now decides whether the named
group action should be recommended for remand. In so deciding, the
Judge analyzes the group actions collectively.
The Judge finds that it is actually the parties that are in the
unique position to facilitate a resolution of the lawsuits without
the need for trials. And indeed, it appears to the Court that a
settlement was already reached in a California based group action
before transfer to the MDL proceeding was ever initiated. Thus,
the parties have already proven their ability to meaningfully work
through issues without the need for centralized proceedings.
Notably, when considering whether to transfer cases for
consolidated pretrial proceedings, the JPML has factored into its
decisions the extent of practicable informal cooperation between
counsel. In short, then, the Judge finds that the informal
cooperation already demonstrated by the counsel in these group
actions weighs in favor of remand.
The Judge now assesses the extent to which the group actions raise
common discovery issues and common legal claims, both amongst each
other and when compared to the class actions currently being
litigated in the MDL proceeding. The Plaintiffs maintain that the
group actions should remain in the Court for consolidated pretrial
proceedings. On the other hand, Ford contends that common
liability discovery is complete and thus no meaningful efficiencies
will be created by consolidation of these cases into the MDL.
The Judge finds that discovery will be needed to determine, at
minimum, when and where each plaintiff purchased or leased their
vehicle, whether each plaintiff transacted with Ford or an
authorized Ford dealer, and potentially whether each plaintiff
relied on alleged misrepresentations when purchasing or leasing
their vehicle. The discovery is case specific. It has no relation
to the common liability discovery into Ford that was completed
earlier in the MDL proceeding; it also has no relation to the
discovery currently ongoing into several other automotive
manufacturers named in the consolidated class action complaints.
For these reasons, the Judge finds that because remaining discovery
is case specific, this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
In addition to remaining discovery being case specific, there is
also a dearth of common legal issues because each group action
asserts state specific claims. Accordingly, the Judge finds that
this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
Ultimately, Judge Moreno agrees with the Plaintiffs that
consolidated pretrial proceedings would convenience the parties and
their counsel. But because the bulk of remaining discovery and the
legal claims in each group action are case specific, and because
common counsel involved in each group action have demonstrated
their ability to cooperate and resolve disputes without court
supervision, the Judge finds that under a totality of the
circumstances, the group actions will not benefit from coordinated
pretrial proceedings as part of the MDL.
For all these reasons, Judge Moreno granted the Motion for
Suggestion of Remand. The Judge respectfully suggested to the
Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation that the named case be
remanded to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of
Arkansas.
A full-text copy of Judge Moreno's Feb. 28, 2020 Order is available
at https://is.gd/gxA8vf from Leagle.com.
Takata Airbag Products Liability Litigation, In Re, represented by
Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- at Covington &
Burling, LLP
Daniel S. Silva, James Herron, Leslie Flaherty, Holly Ruth, M&K
Used Auto Parts, Inc., Robert Barto, John Meiser, Charles & Vickie
Burd Plaintiffs, Charles & Dana Talamantes, Eugennie Sinclair,
Quarnos Auto Salvage, Daniel Thies, Camila G. Corteleti, Rigsby's
Auto Parts & Sales, Inc., Darla Spies, Vickie Burd, Dana
Talamantes, Alicia Benton, Justin S. Birdsall, Loren Petersen,
Eric Rosson, Teresa Woodard, Plaintiffs, represented by Peter
Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Mary Hasley, Megan Sayre-Scibona, Pamela Wilsey, Doreen Dembeck,
Helen Klemer, Lisa Peterson, Plaintiffs, represented by Brian
Morrison -- bmorrison@labaton.com -- Daniel R. Leathers -- at
Labaton Sucharow, LLP; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Regina M. Reilly, Rebecca Lew, Carla Thompson, Plaintiffs,
represented by W. Daniel Miles, III -- dee.miles@beasleyallen.com
-- Archie I. Grubb, II -- archie.grubb@beasleyallen.com -- H. Clay
Barnett -- clay.barnett@beasleyallen.com -- at Beasley Allen Crow
Methvin Portis & Miles; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Plaintiffs Lead Counsel, Plaintiff, represented by Peter Prieto --
pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; Curtis Bradley
Miner -- curt@colson.com -- Stephanie Anne Casey --
scasey@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Gurinder Dhillon, Plaintiff, represented by Curtis Bradley Miner -
- curt@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Craig Dunn, Consol Plaintiff, represented by Aaron Samuel Podhurst
-- apodhurst@podhurst.com -- John Gravante, III --
jgravante@podhurst.com -- Matthew Weinshall --
mweinshall@podhurst.com -- Stephen Frederick Rosenthal --
srosenthal@podhurst.com -- Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com --
at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; David Fernandes --
dfernandes@baronbudd.com -- J. Burton LeBlanc -- Mark Pifko --
mpifko@baronbudd.com -- Pablo Orozco -- Roland Tellis --
rtellis@baronbudd.com -- at Baron & Budd, PC; Michael P. Thornton
-- mthornton@tenlaw.com -- at Thornton Law Firm, LLP; Eric D.
Gottlieb -- egottlieb@labaton.com -- Gregory S. Asciolla --
gasciolla@labaton.com -- Katherine R. Ryan -- Lawrence A. Sucharow
-- lsucharow@labaton.com -- Martis Alex -- Michael W. Stocker --
mstocker@labaton.com -- Robin A. van der Meulen --
rvandermeulen@labaton.com -- at Labaton Sucharow LLP
FCA US LLC, Defendant, represented by Martin Leonard Steinberg --
marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Scott M. Sarason -- ssarason@rumberger.com
-- at Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell
Inflation Systems Inc., Defendant, represented by Stephen J.
Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
General Motors LLC, Defendant, represented by Laurie Michele Riley
-- lriley@joneswalker.com -- at Jones Walker LLP; Leonid Feller --
leonid.feller@kirkland.com -- Renee D. Smith --
renee.smith@kirkland.com -- at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP
Takata Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by Brian O.
Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore & Henderson,
PA; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; Keith A. Teel --
kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com -- Lanny A.
Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- Paul W.
Schmidt -- pschmidt@cov.com -- at Covington & Burling, LLP;
Phillippa V. Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton,
Egan, Jones & Sweeney, LLP; T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.
TK Holdings, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by Alex P.
Tilling -- atilling@leakeandersson.com -- Cristin Fitzgerald
Bordelon -- Jerry L. Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com --
at Leake & Anderson LLP; Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent
-- ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor,
LLP; Brian O. Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore
& Henderson, PA; Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- Keith
A. Teel -- kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com --
Lanny A. Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- at Covington
& Burling, LLP; Christopher J. York -- at McGahren Gaskill & York,
LLC; Cynthia A. Hawkins -- Cynthia@CynthiaHawkinsLaw.com -- at Law
Office of Cynthia Hawkins; Damien Arthur Orato --
dorato@rumberger.com -- Lena Marguerite Mirilovic --
lmirilovic@rumberger.com -- Michael Daniel Begey --
mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers Culley --
sculley@rumberger.com -- William L. Kirk, Jr. -- at Rumberger,
Kirk & Caldwell; Daniel John Kissan -- daniel.kissane@csklegal.com
-- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice; Garth Thomas Yearick --
gyearick@carltonfields.com -- Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- Thomas Meeks --
tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.;
Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Loren William
Fender -- loren.fender@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda
Cardenas-Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke LLP; Matthew J. Stanczyk --
mstanczyk@plunkettcooney.com -- at Plunkett Cooney; Phillippa V.
Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton, Egan, Jones &
Sweeney, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod; Robert J. Hoffman --
rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP; Sterling Gardner
Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at Rogers & Hardin, LLP;
William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliff
Highland Industries, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor;
Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at Womble Carlyle Sandridge &
Rice; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Jerry L.
Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com -- at Leake & Anderson
LLP; Lena Marguerite Mirilovic -- lmirilovic@rumberger.com --
Michael Daniel Begey -- mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers
Culley -- sculley@rumberger.com -- Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell;
Robert J. Hoffman -- rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP;
Sterling Gardner Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at
Rogers & Hardin, LLP; William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington &
Sutcliff; Stephen J. Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com --
Thomas Meeks -- tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
Honda Motor Company, LTD, Consol Defendant, represented by Adam P.
Micale -- amicale@sidley.com -- Alexis Rollins Dunton --
adunton@sidley.com -- Amanda Farfel -- afarfel@sidley.com --
Andrew J. Chinsky -- achinsky@sidley.com -- Darlene M. Cho --
dcho@sidley.com -- Kristen E. Rau -- at Sidley Austin, LLP; Joel
H. Smith -- joel.smith@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Matthew Brooks
Miller -- brooks.miller@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman & Brooke,
LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com
-- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod
American Honda Co., Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Courtney Crook Shytle -- courtney.shytle@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke; Daniel John Kissane --
daniel.kissane@csklegal.com -- Thomas E. Scott, Jr. --
thomas.scott@csklegal.com -- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Ellyce R.
Cooper -- ecooper@sidley.com -- Eric S. Mattson --
emattson@sidley.com -- Mark Douglas Campbell --
mcampbell@sidley.com -- Michael C. Andolina --
mandolina@sidley.com -- Michael L. Mallow -- mmallow@sidley.com --
Sean A. Commons -- scommons@sidley.com -- Catherine Valerio Barrad
-- at Sidley Austin LLP
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Consol Defendant, represented by
Jessica Farley -- jessica.farley@nortonrosefulbright.com -- Steven
D. Jansma -- steven.jansma@nortonrosefulbright.com -- at Norton
Rose Fulbright US LLP
BMW of North America, LLC and BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC, Consol
Defendants, represented by Christopher J. Dalton --
christopher.dalton@bipc.com -- Rosemary Joan Bruno --
rosemary.bruno@bipc.com -- Jesse H. Diner -- jesse.diner@bipc.com
-- Stephen Carey Villeneuve -- carey.villeneuve@bipc.com -- at
Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, PC; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod; Eric Y. Kizirian -- Eric.Kizirian@lewisbrisbois.com --
Jeffrey Arthur Mowers -- Jeffrey.Mowers@lewisbrisbois.com --
Michael Keith Grimaldi -- Michael.Grimaldi@lewisbrisbois.com -- at
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard and Smith, LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -
- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Jeffrey T. Gorcyca -- jeffrey.gorcyca@bowmanandbrooke.com --
Matthew G. Berard -- matthew.berard@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Thomas
P. Branigan -- tom.branigan@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP; Philip Semprevivo, Jr. --
Philip.Semprevivo@lawbhs.com -- at Biedermann Hoenig-Semprevivo;
Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis &
Bockius LLP
Toyota Motor Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Derek S.
Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew --
etew@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; Michiko A. Brown
-- brown@wtotrial.com -- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com
-- at Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell, LLP; Robert Mark Brochin --
bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis & Bockius; John Carl
Seipp, Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering &
Manufacturing North America, Inc. Consol Defendants, represented
by Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com --
at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom --
mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod;
Kimberly A. Cook -- kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick
LLP; Derek S. Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew
-- etew@dykema.com -- Terri Steinhaus Reiskin --
treiskin@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; John Carl Seipp,
Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Donald Arthur Blackwell -
- don.blackwell@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda Cardenas-
Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke LLP; Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -
- at Lewis & Bockius LLP; Michiko A. Brown -- brown@wtotrial.com -
- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com -- at Wheeler Trigg
O'Donnell, LLP; Mark N. Bodin -- mbodin@mcglinchey.com -- Sarah
Elizabeth McMillan -- semcmillan@mcglinchey.com -- at McGlinchey
Stafford, PLLC
Chrysler Group LLC, Consol Defendant, represented by Armando
Gustavo Hernandez -- ahernandez@rumberger.com -- Scott M. Sarason
-- ssarason@rumberger.com -- at Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell, PA;
John W. Rogers -- at Coburn, LLP
MDL 2599: Remand of Harper Suit v. Ford to N.D. Ga. Endorsed
------------------------------------------------------------
In the case, IN RE: TAKATA AIRBAG PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION.
THIS DOCUMENT RELATES TO ECONOMIC LOSS TRACK CASES. YOKO HARPER,
et. al., Plaintiffs, v. FORD MOTOR COMPANY, Defendant, MDL No.
2599, Master File No. 15-02599-MD-MORENO, Econ. Loss File No.
14-24009-CV-MORENO, S.D. Fla. Case No. 19-24327-CV-MORENO (S.D.
Fla.), Judge Federico A. Moreno of the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, (i) granted Defendant
Ford's Motion for Suggestion of Remand, filed on Jan. 21, 2020; and
(ii) suggested to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
that the named case be remanded to the U.S. District Court for the
Eastern Northern District of Georgia.
In December 2018, the Court entered a Final Order that approved a
$299 million class settlement with Ford and that certified the
settlement class. The Court attached to the Final Order an exhibit
that listed more than 3,500 persons and entities who opted out of
the settlement class. A significant number of these "opt-outs"
reorganized by state and in the summer of 2019 began filing "group
action" complaints against Ford across more than 20 states.
Ford subsequently filed Notices of Potential Tag-Along Actions with
the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ("JPML") for each
group action. After receiving no objections to transfer, the JPML
transferred each group action to the Court for consolidated
pretrial proceedings. Once the transfers completed, Ford filed
motions to dismiss for each group action. Then -- despite having
not objected to the JPML's Conditional Transfer Orders for each
group action -- Ford filed the underlying motion, which asks the
Court to suggest to the JPML that each group action should actually
be remanded to its respective transferor court.
Meanwhile, the Plaintiffs -- who, despite opting out of the $299
million settlement that was reached as a result of consolidated
pretrial proceedings -- now want to litigate their renewed claims
against Ford in consolidated pretrial proceedings, arguing that the
Court is in the best position to make pretrial rulings and expedite
a disposition of the litigation.
After reviewing the Motion for Suggestion of Remand, the
Opposition, the Reply, and hearing from counsel during the Jan. 23,
2020 status conference, Judge Moreno now decides whether the named
group action should be recommended for remand. In so deciding, he
analyzes the group actions collectively.
The Judge finds that it is actually the parties that are in the
unique position to facilitate a resolution of the lawsuits without
the need for trials. And indeed, it appears to the Court that a
settlement was already reached in a California based group action
before transfer to the MDL proceeding was ever initiated. Thus,
the parties have already proven their ability to meaningfully work
through issues without the need for centralized proceedings.
Notably, when considering whether to transfer cases for
consolidated pretrial proceedings, the JPML has factored into its
decisions the extent of practicable informal cooperation between
counsel. In short, then, the Judge finds that the informal
cooperation already demonstrated by the counsel in these group
actions weighs in favor of remand.
The Judge now assesses the extent to which the group actions raise
common discovery issues and common legal claims, both amongst each
other and when compared to the class actions currently being
litigated in the MDL proceeding. The Plaintiffs maintain that the
group actions should remain in the Court for consolidated pretrial
proceedings. On the other hand, Ford contends that common
liability discovery is complete and thus no meaningful efficiencies
will be created by consolidation of these cases into the MDL.
The Judge finds that discovery will be needed to determine, at
minimum, when and where each plaintiff purchased or leased their
vehicle, whether each plaintiff transacted with Ford or an
authorized Ford dealer, and potentially whether each plaintiff
relied on alleged misrepresentations when purchasing or leasing
their vehicle. The discovery is case specific. It has no relation
to the common liability discovery into Ford that was completed
earlier in the MDL proceeding; it also has no relation to the
discovery currently ongoing into several other automotive
manufacturers named in the consolidated class action complaints.
For these reasons, the Judge finds that because remaining discovery
is case specific, this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
In addition to remaining discovery being case specific, there is
also a dearth of common legal issues because each group action
asserts state specific claims. Accordingly, the Judge finds that
this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
Ultimately, Judge Moreno agrees with the Plaintiffs that
consolidated pretrial proceedings would convenience the parties and
their counsel. But because the bulk of remaining discovery and the
legal claims in each group action are case specific, and because
common counsel involved in each group action have demonstrated
their ability to cooperate and resolve disputes without court
supervision, The Judge finds that under a totality of the
circumstances, the group actions will not benefit from coordinated
pretrial proceedings as part of the MDL.
For all these reasons, Judge Moreno granted the Motion for
Suggestion of Remand. The Judge respectfully suggested to the
Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation that the named case be
remanded to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of
Georgia.
A full-text copy of Judge Moreno's Feb. 28, 2020 Order is available
at https://is.gd/su2jxH from Leagle.com.
Takata Airbag Products Liability Litigation, In Re, represented by
Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- at Covington &
Burling, LLP
Daniel S. Silva, James Herron, Leslie Flaherty, Holly Ruth, M&K
Used Auto Parts, Inc., Robert Barto, John Meiser, Charles & Vickie
Burd Plaintiffs, Charles & Dana Talamantes, Eugennie Sinclair,
Quarnos Auto Salvage, Daniel Thies, Camila G. Corteleti, Rigsby's
Auto Parts & Sales, Inc., Darla Spies, Vickie Burd, Dana
Talamantes, Alicia Benton, Justin S. Birdsall, Loren Petersen,
Eric Rosson, Teresa Woodard, Plaintiffs, represented by Peter
Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Mary Hasley, Megan Sayre-Scibona, Pamela Wilsey, Doreen Dembeck,
Helen Klemer, Lisa Peterson, Plaintiffs, represented by Brian
Morrison -- bmorrison@labaton.com -- Daniel R. Leathers -- at
Labaton Sucharow, LLP; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Regina M. Reilly, Rebecca Lew, Carla Thompson, Plaintiffs,
represented by W. Daniel Miles, III -- dee.miles@beasleyallen.com
-- Archie I. Grubb, II -- archie.grubb@beasleyallen.com -- H. Clay
Barnett -- clay.barnett@beasleyallen.com -- at Beasley Allen Crow
Methvin Portis & Miles; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Plaintiffs Lead Counsel, Plaintiff, represented by Peter Prieto --
pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; Curtis Bradley
Miner -- curt@colson.com -- Stephanie Anne Casey --
scasey@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Gurinder Dhillon, Plaintiff, represented by Curtis Bradley Miner -
- curt@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Craig Dunn, Consol Plaintiff, represented by Aaron Samuel Podhurst
-- apodhurst@podhurst.com -- John Gravante, III --
jgravante@podhurst.com -- Matthew Weinshall --
mweinshall@podhurst.com -- Stephen Frederick Rosenthal --
srosenthal@podhurst.com -- Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com --
at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; David Fernandes --
dfernandes@baronbudd.com -- J. Burton LeBlanc -- Mark Pifko --
mpifko@baronbudd.com -- Pablo Orozco -- Roland Tellis --
rtellis@baronbudd.com -- at Baron & Budd, PC; Michael P. Thornton
-- mthornton@tenlaw.com -- at Thornton Law Firm, LLP; Eric D.
Gottlieb -- egottlieb@labaton.com -- Gregory S. Asciolla --
gasciolla@labaton.com -- Katherine R. Ryan -- Lawrence A. Sucharow
-- lsucharow@labaton.com -- Martis Alex -- Michael W. Stocker --
mstocker@labaton.com -- Robin A. van der Meulen --
rvandermeulen@labaton.com -- at Labaton Sucharow LLP
FCA US LLC, Defendant, represented by Martin Leonard Steinberg --
marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Scott M. Sarason -- ssarason@rumberger.com
-- at Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell
Inflation Systems Inc., Defendant, represented by Stephen J.
Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
General Motors LLC, Defendant, represented by Laurie Michele Riley
-- lriley@joneswalker.com -- at Jones Walker LLP; Leonid Feller --
leonid.feller@kirkland.com -- Renee D. Smith --
renee.smith@kirkland.com -- at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP
Takata Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by Brian O.
Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore & Henderson,
PA; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; Keith A. Teel --
kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com -- Lanny A.
Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- Paul W.
Schmidt -- pschmidt@cov.com -- at Covington & Burling, LLP;
Phillippa V. Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton,
Egan, Jones & Sweeney, LLP; T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.
TK Holdings, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by Alex P.
Tilling -- atilling@leakeandersson.com -- Cristin Fitzgerald
Bordelon -- Jerry L. Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com --
at Leake & Anderson LLP; Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent
-- ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor,
LLP; Brian O. Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore
& Henderson, PA; Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- Keith
A. Teel -- kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com --
Lanny A. Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- at Covington
& Burling, LLP; Christopher J. York -- at McGahren Gaskill & York,
LLC; Cynthia A. Hawkins -- Cynthia@CynthiaHawkinsLaw.com -- at Law
Office of Cynthia Hawkins; Damien Arthur Orato --
dorato@rumberger.com -- Lena Marguerite Mirilovic --
lmirilovic@rumberger.com -- Michael Daniel Begey --
mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers Culley --
sculley@rumberger.com -- William L. Kirk, Jr. -- at Rumberger,
Kirk & Caldwell; Daniel John Kissan -- daniel.kissane@csklegal.com
-- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice; Garth Thomas Yearick --
gyearick@carltonfields.com -- Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- Thomas Meeks --
tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.;
Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Loren William
Fender -- loren.fender@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda
Cardenas-Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke LLP; Matthew J. Stanczyk --
mstanczyk@plunkettcooney.com -- at Plunkett Cooney; Phillippa V.
Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton, Egan, Jones &
Sweeney, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod; Robert J. Hoffman --
rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP; Sterling Gardner
Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at Rogers & Hardin, LLP;
William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliff
Highland Industries, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor;
Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at Womble Carlyle Sandridge &
Rice; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Jerry L.
Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com -- at Leake & Anderson
LLP; Lena Marguerite Mirilovic -- lmirilovic@rumberger.com --
Michael Daniel Begey -- mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers
Culley -- sculley@rumberger.com -- Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell;
Robert J. Hoffman -- rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP;
Sterling Gardner Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at
Rogers & Hardin, LLP; William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington &
Sutcliff; Stephen J. Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com --
Thomas Meeks -- tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
Honda Motor Company, LTD, Consol Defendant, represented by Adam P.
Micale -- amicale@sidley.com -- Alexis Rollins Dunton --
adunton@sidley.com -- Amanda Farfel -- afarfel@sidley.com --
Andrew J. Chinsky -- achinsky@sidley.com -- Darlene M. Cho --
dcho@sidley.com -- Kristen E. Rau -- at Sidley Austin, LLP; Joel
H. Smith -- joel.smith@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Matthew Brooks
Miller -- brooks.miller@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman & Brooke,
LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com
-- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod
American Honda Co., Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Courtney Crook Shytle -- courtney.shytle@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke; Daniel John Kissane --
daniel.kissane@csklegal.com -- Thomas E. Scott, Jr. --
thomas.scott@csklegal.com -- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Ellyce R.
Cooper -- ecooper@sidley.com -- Eric S. Mattson --
emattson@sidley.com -- Mark Douglas Campbell --
mcampbell@sidley.com -- Michael C. Andolina --
mandolina@sidley.com -- Michael L. Mallow -- mmallow@sidley.com --
Sean A. Commons -- scommons@sidley.com -- Catherine Valerio Barrad
-- at Sidley Austin LLP
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Consol Defendant, represented by
Jessica Farley -- jessica.farley@nortonrosefulbright.com -- Steven
D. Jansma -- steven.jansma@nortonrosefulbright.com -- at Norton
Rose Fulbright US LLP
BMW of North America, LLC and BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC, Consol
Defendants, represented by Christopher J. Dalton --
christopher.dalton@bipc.com -- Rosemary Joan Bruno --
rosemary.bruno@bipc.com -- Jesse H. Diner -- jesse.diner@bipc.com
-- Stephen Carey Villeneuve -- carey.villeneuve@bipc.com -- at
Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, PC; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod; Eric Y. Kizirian -- Eric.Kizirian@lewisbrisbois.com --
Jeffrey Arthur Mowers -- Jeffrey.Mowers@lewisbrisbois.com --
Michael Keith Grimaldi -- Michael.Grimaldi@lewisbrisbois.com -- at
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard and Smith, LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -
- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Jeffrey T. Gorcyca -- jeffrey.gorcyca@bowmanandbrooke.com --
Matthew G. Berard -- matthew.berard@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Thomas
P. Branigan -- tom.branigan@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP; Philip Semprevivo, Jr. --
Philip.Semprevivo@lawbhs.com -- at Biedermann Hoenig-Semprevivo;
Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis &
Bockius LLP
Toyota Motor Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Derek S.
Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew --
etew@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; Michiko A. Brown
-- brown@wtotrial.com -- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com
-- at Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell, LLP; Robert Mark Brochin --
bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis & Bockius; John Carl
Seipp, Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering &
Manufacturing North America, Inc. Consol Defendants, represented
by Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com --
at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom --
mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod;
Kimberly A. Cook -- kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick
LLP; Derek S. Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew
-- etew@dykema.com -- Terri Steinhaus Reiskin --
treiskin@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; John Carl Seipp,
Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Donald Arthur Blackwell -
- don.blackwell@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda Cardenas-
Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke LLP; Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -
- at Lewis & Bockius LLP; Michiko A. Brown -- brown@wtotrial.com -
- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com -- at Wheeler Trigg
O'Donnell, LLP; Mark N. Bodin -- mbodin@mcglinchey.com -- Sarah
Elizabeth McMillan -- semcmillan@mcglinchey.com -- at McGlinchey
Stafford, PLLC
Chrysler Group LLC, Consol Defendant, represented by Armando
Gustavo Hernandez -- ahernandez@rumberger.com -- Scott M. Sarason
-- ssarason@rumberger.com -- at Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell, PA;
John W. Rogers -- at Coburn, LLP
MDL 2599: Remand of Henderson Suit v. Ford to Oklahoma Endorsed
---------------------------------------------------------------
In the case, IN RE: TAKATA AIRBAG PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION.
THIS DOCUMENT RELATES TO ECONOMIC LOSS TRACK CASES. BARBARA
HENDERSON, et. al., Plaintiffs, v. FORD MOTOR COMPANY, Defendant,
MDL No. 2599, Master File No. 15-02599-MD-MORENO, Econ. Loss File
No. 14-24009-CV-MORENO, S.D. Fla. Case No. 19-24815-CV-MORENO (S.D.
Fla.), Judge Federico A. Moreno of the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, (i) granted Defendant
Ford's Motion for Suggestion of Remand, filed on Jan. 21, 2020; and
(ii) suggested to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
that the named case be remanded to the U.S. District Court for the
Western District of Oklahoma.
In December 2018, the Court entered a Final Order that approved a
$299 million class settlement with Ford and that certified the
settlement class. The Court attached to the Final Order an exhibit
that listed more than 3,500 persons and entities who opted out of
the settlement class. A significant number of these "opt-outs"
reorganized by state and in the summer of 2019 began filing "group
action" complaints against Ford across more than 20 states.
Ford subsequently filed Notices of Potential Tag-Along Actions with
the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ("JPML") for each
group action. After receiving no objections to transfer, the JPML
transferred each group action to the Court for consolidated
pretrial proceedings. Once the transfers completed, Ford filed
motions to dismiss for each group action. Then -- despite having
not objected to the JPML's Conditional Transfer Orders for each
group action -- Ford filed the underlying motion, which asks the
Court to suggest to the JPML that each group action should actually
be remanded to its respective transferor court.
Meanwhile, the Plaintiffs -- who, despite opting out of the $299
million settlement that was reached as a result of consolidated
pretrial proceedings -- now want to litigate their renewed claims
against Ford in consolidated pretrial proceedings, arguing that the
Court is in the best position to make pretrial rulings and expedite
a disposition of the litigation.
After reviewing the Motion for Suggestion of Remand, the
Opposition, the Reply, and hearing from counsel during the Jan. 23,
2020 status conference, Judge Moreno now decides whether the named
group action should be recommended for remand. In so deciding, he
analyzes the group actions collectively.
The Judge finds that it is actually the parties that are in the
unique position to facilitate a resolution of the lawsuits without
the need for trials. And indeed, it appears to the Court that a
settlement was already reached in a California based group action
before transfer to the MDL proceeding was ever initiated. Thus,
the parties have already proven their ability to meaningfully work
through issues without the need for centralized proceedings.
Notably, when considering whether to transfer cases for
consolidated pretrial proceedings, the JPML has factored into its
decisions the extent of practicable informal cooperation between
counsel. In short, then, the Judge finds that the informal
cooperation already demonstrated by the counsel in these group
actions weighs in favor of remand.
The Judge now assesses the extent to which the group actions raise
common discovery issues and common legal claims, both amongst each
other and when compared to the class actions currently being
litigated in the MDL proceeding. The Plaintiffs maintain that the
group actions should remain in the Court for consolidated pretrial
proceedings. On the other hand, Ford contends that common
liability discovery is complete and thus no meaningful efficiencies
will be created by consolidation of these cases into the MDL.
The Judge finds that discovery will be needed to determine, at
minimum, when and where each plaintiff purchased or leased their
vehicle, whether each plaintiff transacted with Ford or an
authorized Ford dealer, and potentially whether each plaintiff
relied on alleged misrepresentations when purchasing or leasing
their vehicle. The discovery is case specific. It has no relation
to the common liability discovery into Ford that was completed
earlier in the MDL proceeding; it also has no relation to the
discovery currently ongoing into several other automotive
manufacturers named in the consolidated class action complaints.
For these reasons, the Judge finds that because remaining discovery
is case specific, this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
In addition to remaining discovery being case specific, there is
also a dearth of common legal issues because each group action
asserts state specific claims. Accordingly, the Judge finds that
this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
Ultimately, Judge Moreno agrees with the Plaintiffs that
consolidated pretrial proceedings would convenience the parties and
their counsel. But because the bulk of remaining discovery and the
legal claims in each group action are case specific, and because
common counsel involved in each group action have demonstrated
their ability to cooperate and resolve disputes without court
supervision, the Judge finds that under a totality of the
circumstances, the group actions will not benefit from coordinated
pretrial proceedings as part of the MDL.
For all these reasons, Judge Moreno granted the Motion for
Suggestion of Remand. The Judge respectfully suggested to the
Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation that the named case be
remanded to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of
Oklahoma.
A full-text copy of Judge Moreno's Feb. 28, 2020 Order is available
at https://is.gd/YyySza from Leagle.com.
Takata Airbag Products Liability Litigation, In Re, represented by
Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- at Covington &
Burling, LLP
Daniel S. Silva, James Herron, Leslie Flaherty, Holly Ruth, M&K
Used Auto Parts, Inc., Robert Barto, John Meiser, Charles & Vickie
Burd Plaintiffs, Charles & Dana Talamantes, Eugennie Sinclair,
Quarnos Auto Salvage, Daniel Thies, Camila G. Corteleti, Rigsby's
Auto Parts & Sales, Inc., Darla Spies, Vickie Burd, Dana
Talamantes, Alicia Benton, Justin S. Birdsall, Loren Petersen,
Eric Rosson, Teresa Woodard, Plaintiffs, represented by Peter
Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Mary Hasley, Megan Sayre-Scibona, Pamela Wilsey, Doreen Dembeck,
Helen Klemer, Lisa Peterson, Plaintiffs, represented by Brian
Morrison -- bmorrison@labaton.com -- Daniel R. Leathers -- at
Labaton Sucharow, LLP; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Regina M. Reilly, Rebecca Lew, Carla Thompson, Plaintiffs,
represented by W. Daniel Miles, III -- dee.miles@beasleyallen.com
-- Archie I. Grubb, II -- archie.grubb@beasleyallen.com -- H. Clay
Barnett -- clay.barnett@beasleyallen.com -- at Beasley Allen Crow
Methvin Portis & Miles; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Plaintiffs Lead Counsel, Plaintiff, represented by Peter Prieto --
pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; Curtis Bradley
Miner -- curt@colson.com -- Stephanie Anne Casey --
scasey@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Gurinder Dhillon, Plaintiff, represented by Curtis Bradley Miner -
- curt@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Craig Dunn, Consol Plaintiff, represented by Aaron Samuel Podhurst
-- apodhurst@podhurst.com -- John Gravante, III --
jgravante@podhurst.com -- Matthew Weinshall --
mweinshall@podhurst.com -- Stephen Frederick Rosenthal --
srosenthal@podhurst.com -- Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com --
at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; David Fernandes --
dfernandes@baronbudd.com -- J. Burton LeBlanc -- Mark Pifko --
mpifko@baronbudd.com -- Pablo Orozco -- Roland Tellis --
rtellis@baronbudd.com -- at Baron & Budd, PC; Michael P. Thornton
-- mthornton@tenlaw.com -- at Thornton Law Firm, LLP; Eric D.
Gottlieb -- egottlieb@labaton.com -- Gregory S. Asciolla --
gasciolla@labaton.com -- Katherine R. Ryan -- Lawrence A. Sucharow
-- lsucharow@labaton.com -- Martis Alex -- Michael W. Stocker --
mstocker@labaton.com -- Robin A. van der Meulen --
rvandermeulen@labaton.com -- at Labaton Sucharow LLP
FCA US LLC, Defendant, represented by Martin Leonard Steinberg --
marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Scott M. Sarason -- ssarason@rumberger.com
-- at Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell
Inflation Systems Inc., Defendant, represented by Stephen J.
Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
General Motors LLC, Defendant, represented by Laurie Michele Riley
-- lriley@joneswalker.com -- at Jones Walker LLP; Leonid Feller --
leonid.feller@kirkland.com -- Renee D. Smith --
renee.smith@kirkland.com -- at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP
Takata Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by Brian O.
Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore & Henderson,
PA; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; Keith A. Teel --
kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com -- Lanny A.
Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- Paul W.
Schmidt -- pschmidt@cov.com -- at Covington & Burling, LLP;
Phillippa V. Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton,
Egan, Jones & Sweeney, LLP; T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.
TK Holdings, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by Alex P.
Tilling -- atilling@leakeandersson.com -- Cristin Fitzgerald
Bordelon -- Jerry L. Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com --
at Leake & Anderson LLP; Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent
-- ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor,
LLP; Brian O. Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore
& Henderson, PA; Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- Keith
A. Teel -- kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com --
Lanny A. Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- at Covington
& Burling, LLP; Christopher J. York -- at McGahren Gaskill & York,
LLC; Cynthia A. Hawkins -- Cynthia@CynthiaHawkinsLaw.com -- at Law
Office of Cynthia Hawkins; Damien Arthur Orato --
dorato@rumberger.com -- Lena Marguerite Mirilovic --
lmirilovic@rumberger.com -- Michael Daniel Begey --
mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers Culley --
sculley@rumberger.com -- William L. Kirk, Jr. -- at Rumberger,
Kirk & Caldwell; Daniel John Kissan -- daniel.kissane@csklegal.com
-- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice; Garth Thomas Yearick --
gyearick@carltonfields.com -- Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- Thomas Meeks --
tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.;
Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Loren William
Fender -- loren.fender@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda
Cardenas-Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke LLP; Matthew J. Stanczyk --
mstanczyk@plunkettcooney.com -- at Plunkett Cooney; Phillippa V.
Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton, Egan, Jones &
Sweeney, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod; Robert J. Hoffman --
rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP; Sterling Gardner
Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at Rogers & Hardin, LLP;
William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliff
Highland Industries, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor;
Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at Womble Carlyle Sandridge &
Rice; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Jerry L.
Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com -- at Leake & Anderson
LLP; Lena Marguerite Mirilovic -- lmirilovic@rumberger.com --
Michael Daniel Begey -- mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers
Culley -- sculley@rumberger.com -- Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell;
Robert J. Hoffman -- rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP;
Sterling Gardner Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at
Rogers & Hardin, LLP; William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington &
Sutcliff; Stephen J. Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com --
Thomas Meeks -- tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
Honda Motor Company, LTD, Consol Defendant, represented by Adam P.
Micale -- amicale@sidley.com -- Alexis Rollins Dunton --
adunton@sidley.com -- Amanda Farfel -- afarfel@sidley.com --
Andrew J. Chinsky -- achinsky@sidley.com -- Darlene M. Cho --
dcho@sidley.com -- Kristen E. Rau -- at Sidley Austin, LLP; Joel
H. Smith -- joel.smith@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Matthew Brooks
Miller -- brooks.miller@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman & Brooke,
LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com
-- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod
American Honda Co., Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Courtney Crook Shytle -- courtney.shytle@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke; Daniel John Kissane --
daniel.kissane@csklegal.com -- Thomas E. Scott, Jr. --
thomas.scott@csklegal.com -- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Ellyce R.
Cooper -- ecooper@sidley.com -- Eric S. Mattson --
emattson@sidley.com -- Mark Douglas Campbell --
mcampbell@sidley.com -- Michael C. Andolina --
mandolina@sidley.com -- Michael L. Mallow -- mmallow@sidley.com --
Sean A. Commons -- scommons@sidley.com -- Catherine Valerio Barrad
-- at Sidley Austin LLP
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Consol Defendant, represented by
Jessica Farley -- jessica.farley@nortonrosefulbright.com -- Steven
D. Jansma -- steven.jansma@nortonrosefulbright.com -- at Norton
Rose Fulbright US LLP
BMW of North America, LLC and BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC, Consol
Defendants, represented by Christopher J. Dalton --
christopher.dalton@bipc.com -- Rosemary Joan Bruno --
rosemary.bruno@bipc.com -- Jesse H. Diner -- jesse.diner@bipc.com
-- Stephen Carey Villeneuve -- carey.villeneuve@bipc.com -- at
Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, PC; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod; Eric Y. Kizirian -- Eric.Kizirian@lewisbrisbois.com --
Jeffrey Arthur Mowers -- Jeffrey.Mowers@lewisbrisbois.com --
Michael Keith Grimaldi -- Michael.Grimaldi@lewisbrisbois.com -- at
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard and Smith, LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -
- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Jeffrey T. Gorcyca -- jeffrey.gorcyca@bowmanandbrooke.com --
Matthew G. Berard -- matthew.berard@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Thomas
P. Branigan -- tom.branigan@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP; Philip Semprevivo, Jr. --
Philip.Semprevivo@lawbhs.com -- at Biedermann Hoenig-Semprevivo;
Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis &
Bockius LLP
Toyota Motor Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Derek S.
Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew --
etew@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; Michiko A. Brown
-- brown@wtotrial.com -- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com
-- at Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell, LLP; Robert Mark Brochin --
bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis & Bockius; John Carl
Seipp, Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering &
Manufacturing North America, Inc. Consol Defendants, represented
by Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com --
at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom --
mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod;
Kimberly A. Cook -- kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick
LLP; Derek S. Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew
-- etew@dykema.com -- Terri Steinhaus Reiskin --
treiskin@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; John Carl Seipp,
Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Donald Arthur Blackwell -
- don.blackwell@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda Cardenas-
Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke LLP; Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -
- at Lewis & Bockius LLP; Michiko A. Brown -- brown@wtotrial.com -
- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com -- at Wheeler Trigg
O'Donnell, LLP; Mark N. Bodin -- mbodin@mcglinchey.com -- Sarah
Elizabeth McMillan -- semcmillan@mcglinchey.com -- at McGlinchey
Stafford, PLLC
Chrysler Group LLC, Consol Defendant, represented by Armando
Gustavo Hernandez -- ahernandez@rumberger.com -- Scott M. Sarason
-- ssarason@rumberger.com -- at Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell, PA;
John W. Rogers -- at Coburn, LLP
MDL 2599: Remand of Heuss Suit v. Ford to W.D. Texas Endorsed
-------------------------------------------------------------
In the case, IN RE: TAKATA AIRBAG PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION.
THIS DOCUMENT RELATES TO ECONOMIC LOSS TRACK CASES. KEITH HEUSS,
et. al., Plaintiffs, v. FORD MOTOR COMPANY, Defendant, MDL No.
2599, Master File No. 15-02599-MD-MORENO, Econ. Loss File No.
14-24009-CV-MORENO, S.D. Fla. Case No. 19-24329-CV-MORENO (S.D.
Fla.), Judge Federico A. Moreno of the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, (i) granted Defendant
Ford's Motion for Suggestion of Remand, filed on Jan. 21, 2020; and
(ii) suggested to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
that the named case be remanded to the U.S. District Court for the
Western District of Texas.
In December 2018, the Court entered a Final Order that approved a
$299 million class settlement with Ford and that certified the
settlement class. The Court attached to the Final Order an exhibit
that listed more than 3,500 persons and entities who opted out of
the settlement class. A significant number of these "opt-outs"
reorganized by state and in the summer of 2019 began filing "group
action" complaints against Ford across more than 20 states.
Ford subsequently filed Notices of Potential Tag-Along Actions with
the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ("JPML") for each
group action. After receiving no objections to transfer, the JPML
transferred each group action to the Court for consolidated
pretrial proceedings. Once the transfers completed, Ford filed
motions to dismiss for each group action. Then -- despite having
not objected to the JPML's Conditional Transfer Orders for each
group action -- Ford filed the underlying motion, which asks the
Court to suggest to the JPML that each group action should actually
be remanded to its respective transferor court.
Meanwhile, the Plaintiffs -- who, despite opting out of the $299
million settlement that was reached as a result of consolidated
pretrial proceedings -- now want to litigate their renewed claims
against Ford in consolidated pretrial proceedings, arguing that the
Court is in the best position to make pretrial rulings and expedite
a disposition of the litigation.
After reviewing the Motion for Suggestion of Remand, the
Opposition, the Reply, and hearing from counsel during the Jan. 23,
2020 status conference, Judge Moreno now decides whether the named
group action should be recommended for remand. In so deciding, the
Judge analyzes the group actions collectively.
The Judge finds that it is actually the parties that are in the
unique position to facilitate a resolution of the lawsuits without
the need for trials. And indeed, it appears to the Court that a
settlement was already reached in a California based group action
before transfer to the MDL proceeding was ever initiated. Thus,
the parties have already proven their ability to meaningfully work
through issues without the need for centralized proceedings.
Notably, when considering whether to transfer cases for
consolidated pretrial proceedings, the JPML has factored into its
decisions the extent of practicable informal cooperation between
counsel. In short, then, the Judge finds that the informal
cooperation already demonstrated by the counsel in these group
actions weighs in favor of remand.
The Judge now assesses the extent to which the group actions raise
common discovery issues and common legal claims, both amongst each
other and when compared to the class actions currently being
litigated in the MDL proceeding. The Plaintiffs maintain that the
group actions should remain in the Court for consolidated pretrial
proceedings. On the other hand, Ford contends that common
liability discovery is complete and thus no meaningful efficiencies
will be created by consolidation of these cases into the MDL.
He finds that discovery will be needed to determine, at minimum,
when and where each plaintiff purchased or leased their vehicle,
whether each plaintiff transacted with Ford or an authorized Ford
dealer, and potentially whether each plaintiff relied on alleged
misrepresentations when purchasing or leasing their vehicle. The
discovery is case specific. It has no relation to the common
liability discovery into Ford that was completed earlier in the MDL
proceeding; it also has no relation to the discovery currently
ongoing into several other automotive manufacturers named in the
consolidated class action complaints. For these reasons, the Judge
finds that because remaining discovery is case specific, this
factor also weighs in favor of remand.
In addition to remaining discovery being case specific, there is
also a dearth of common legal issues because each group action
asserts state specific claims. Accordingly, the Judge finds that
this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
Ultimately, Judge Moreno agrees with the Plaintiffs that
consolidated pretrial proceedings would convenience the parties and
their counsel. But because the bulk of remaining discovery and the
legal claims in each group action are case specific, and because
common counsel involved in each group action have demonstrated
their ability to cooperate and resolve disputes without court
supervision, the Judge finds that under a totality of the
circumstances, the group actions will not benefit from coordinated
pretrial proceedings as part of the MDL.
For all these reasons, Judge Moreno granted the Motion for
Suggestion of Remand. The Judge respectfully suggested to the
Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation that the named case be
remanded to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of
Texas.
A full-text copy of Judge Moreno's Feb. 28, 2020 Order is available
at https://is.gd/0iCmJW from Leagle.com.
Takata Airbag Products Liability Litigation, In Re, represented by
Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- at Covington &
Burling, LLP
Daniel S. Silva, James Herron, Leslie Flaherty, Holly Ruth, M&K
Used Auto Parts, Inc., Robert Barto, John Meiser, Charles & Vickie
Burd Plaintiffs, Charles & Dana Talamantes, Eugennie Sinclair,
Quarnos Auto Salvage, Daniel Thies, Camila G. Corteleti, Rigsby's
Auto Parts & Sales, Inc., Darla Spies, Vickie Burd, Dana
Talamantes, Alicia Benton, Justin S. Birdsall, Loren Petersen,
Eric Rosson, Teresa Woodard, Plaintiffs, represented by Peter
Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Mary Hasley, Megan Sayre-Scibona, Pamela Wilsey, Doreen Dembeck,
Helen Klemer, Lisa Peterson, Plaintiffs, represented by Brian
Morrison -- bmorrison@labaton.com -- Daniel R. Leathers -- at
Labaton Sucharow, LLP; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Regina M. Reilly, Rebecca Lew, Carla Thompson, Plaintiffs,
represented by W. Daniel Miles, III -- dee.miles@beasleyallen.com
-- Archie I. Grubb, II -- archie.grubb@beasleyallen.com -- H. Clay
Barnett -- clay.barnett@beasleyallen.com -- at Beasley Allen Crow
Methvin Portis & Miles; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Plaintiffs Lead Counsel, Plaintiff, represented by Peter Prieto --
pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; Curtis Bradley
Miner -- curt@colson.com -- Stephanie Anne Casey --
scasey@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Gurinder Dhillon, Plaintiff, represented by Curtis Bradley Miner -
- curt@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Craig Dunn, Consol Plaintiff, represented by Aaron Samuel Podhurst
-- apodhurst@podhurst.com -- John Gravante, III --
jgravante@podhurst.com -- Matthew Weinshall --
mweinshall@podhurst.com -- Stephen Frederick Rosenthal --
srosenthal@podhurst.com -- Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com --
at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; David Fernandes --
dfernandes@baronbudd.com -- J. Burton LeBlanc -- Mark Pifko --
mpifko@baronbudd.com -- Pablo Orozco -- Roland Tellis --
rtellis@baronbudd.com -- at Baron & Budd, PC; Michael P. Thornton
-- mthornton@tenlaw.com -- at Thornton Law Firm, LLP; Eric D.
Gottlieb -- egottlieb@labaton.com -- Gregory S. Asciolla --
gasciolla@labaton.com -- Katherine R. Ryan -- Lawrence A. Sucharow
-- lsucharow@labaton.com -- Martis Alex -- Michael W. Stocker --
mstocker@labaton.com -- Robin A. van der Meulen --
rvandermeulen@labaton.com -- at Labaton Sucharow LLP
FCA US LLC, Defendant, represented by Martin Leonard Steinberg --
marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Scott M. Sarason -- ssarason@rumberger.com
-- at Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell
Inflation Systems Inc., Defendant, represented by Stephen J.
Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
General Motors LLC, Defendant, represented by Laurie Michele Riley
-- lriley@joneswalker.com -- at Jones Walker LLP; Leonid Feller --
leonid.feller@kirkland.com -- Renee D. Smith --
renee.smith@kirkland.com -- at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP
Takata Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by Brian O.
Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore & Henderson,
PA; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; Keith A. Teel --
kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com -- Lanny A.
Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- Paul W.
Schmidt -- pschmidt@cov.com -- at Covington & Burling, LLP;
Phillippa V. Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton,
Egan, Jones & Sweeney, LLP; T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.
TK Holdings, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by Alex P.
Tilling -- atilling@leakeandersson.com -- Cristin Fitzgerald
Bordelon -- Jerry L. Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com --
at Leake & Anderson LLP; Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent
-- ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor,
LLP; Brian O. Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore
& Henderson, PA; Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- Keith
A. Teel -- kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com --
Lanny A. Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- at Covington
& Burling, LLP; Christopher J. York -- at McGahren Gaskill & York,
LLC; Cynthia A. Hawkins -- Cynthia@CynthiaHawkinsLaw.com -- at Law
Office of Cynthia Hawkins; Damien Arthur Orato --
dorato@rumberger.com -- Lena Marguerite Mirilovic --
lmirilovic@rumberger.com -- Michael Daniel Begey --
mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers Culley --
sculley@rumberger.com -- William L. Kirk, Jr. -- at Rumberger,
Kirk & Caldwell; Daniel John Kissan -- daniel.kissane@csklegal.com
-- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice; Garth Thomas Yearick --
gyearick@carltonfields.com -- Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- Thomas Meeks --
tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.;
Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Loren William
Fender -- loren.fender@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda
Cardenas-Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke LLP; Matthew J. Stanczyk --
mstanczyk@plunkettcooney.com -- at Plunkett Cooney; Phillippa V.
Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton, Egan, Jones &
Sweeney, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod; Robert J. Hoffman --
rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP; Sterling Gardner
Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at Rogers & Hardin, LLP;
William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliff
Highland Industries, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor;
Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at Womble Carlyle Sandridge &
Rice; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Jerry L.
Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com -- at Leake & Anderson
LLP; Lena Marguerite Mirilovic -- lmirilovic@rumberger.com --
Michael Daniel Begey -- mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers
Culley -- sculley@rumberger.com -- Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell;
Robert J. Hoffman -- rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP;
Sterling Gardner Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at
Rogers & Hardin, LLP; William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington &
Sutcliff; Stephen J. Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com --
Thomas Meeks -- tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
Honda Motor Company, LTD, Consol Defendant, represented by Adam P.
Micale -- amicale@sidley.com -- Alexis Rollins Dunton --
adunton@sidley.com -- Amanda Farfel -- afarfel@sidley.com --
Andrew J. Chinsky -- achinsky@sidley.com -- Darlene M. Cho --
dcho@sidley.com -- Kristen E. Rau -- at Sidley Austin, LLP; Joel
H. Smith -- joel.smith@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Matthew Brooks
Miller -- brooks.miller@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman & Brooke,
LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com
-- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod
American Honda Co., Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Courtney Crook Shytle -- courtney.shytle@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke; Daniel John Kissane --
daniel.kissane@csklegal.com -- Thomas E. Scott, Jr. --
thomas.scott@csklegal.com -- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Ellyce R.
Cooper -- ecooper@sidley.com -- Eric S. Mattson --
emattson@sidley.com -- Mark Douglas Campbell --
mcampbell@sidley.com -- Michael C. Andolina --
mandolina@sidley.com -- Michael L. Mallow -- mmallow@sidley.com --
Sean A. Commons -- scommons@sidley.com -- Catherine Valerio Barrad
-- at Sidley Austin LLP
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Consol Defendant, represented by
Jessica Farley -- jessica.farley@nortonrosefulbright.com -- Steven
D. Jansma -- steven.jansma@nortonrosefulbright.com -- at Norton
Rose Fulbright US LLP
BMW of North America, LLC and BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC, Consol
Defendants, represented by Christopher J. Dalton --
christopher.dalton@bipc.com -- Rosemary Joan Bruno --
rosemary.bruno@bipc.com -- Jesse H. Diner -- jesse.diner@bipc.com
-- Stephen Carey Villeneuve -- carey.villeneuve@bipc.com -- at
Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, PC; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod; Eric Y. Kizirian -- Eric.Kizirian@lewisbrisbois.com --
Jeffrey Arthur Mowers -- Jeffrey.Mowers@lewisbrisbois.com --
Michael Keith Grimaldi -- Michael.Grimaldi@lewisbrisbois.com -- at
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard and Smith, LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -
- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Jeffrey T. Gorcyca -- jeffrey.gorcyca@bowmanandbrooke.com --
Matthew G. Berard -- matthew.berard@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Thomas
P. Branigan -- tom.branigan@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP; Philip Semprevivo, Jr. --
Philip.Semprevivo@lawbhs.com -- at Biedermann Hoenig-Semprevivo;
Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis &
Bockius LLP
Toyota Motor Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Derek S.
Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew --
etew@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; Michiko A. Brown
-- brown@wtotrial.com -- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com
-- at Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell, LLP; Robert Mark Brochin --
bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis & Bockius; John Carl
Seipp, Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering &
Manufacturing North America, Inc. Consol Defendants, represented
by Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com --
at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom --
mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod;
Kimberly A. Cook -- kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick
LLP; Derek S. Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew
-- etew@dykema.com -- Terri Steinhaus Reiskin --
treiskin@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; John Carl Seipp,
Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Donald Arthur Blackwell -
- don.blackwell@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda Cardenas-
Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke LLP; Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -
- at Lewis & Bockius LLP; Michiko A. Brown -- brown@wtotrial.com -
- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com -- at Wheeler Trigg
O'Donnell, LLP; Mark N. Bodin -- mbodin@mcglinchey.com -- Sarah
Elizabeth McMillan -- semcmillan@mcglinchey.com -- at McGlinchey
Stafford, PLLC
Chrysler Group LLC, Consol Defendant, represented by Armando
Gustavo Hernandez -- ahernandez@rumberger.com -- Scott M. Sarason
-- ssarason@rumberger.com -- at Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell, PA;
John W. Rogers -- at Coburn, LLP
MDL 2599: Remand of Mastroberti Suit v. Ford to Ohio Endorsed
-------------------------------------------------------------
In the case, IN RE: TAKATA AIRBAG PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION.
THIS DOCUMENT RELATES TO ECONOMIC LOSS TRACK CASES. JOSEPHINE
MASTROBERTI, et. al., Plaintiffs, v. FORD MOTOR COMPANY, Defendant,
MDL No. 2599, Master File No. 15-02599-MD-MORENO, Econ. Loss File
No. 14-24009-CV-MORENO, S.D. Fla. Case No. 19-24422-CV-MORENO (S.D.
Fla.), Judge Federico A. Moreno of the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, (i) granted Defendant
Ford's Motion for Suggestion of Remand, filed on Jan. 21, 2020; and
(ii) suggested to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
that the named case be remanded to the U.S. District Court for the
Northern District of Ohio.
In December 2018, the Court entered a Final Order that approved a
$299 million class settlement with Ford and that certified the
settlement class. The Court attached to the Final Order an exhibit
that listed more than 3,500 persons and entities who opted out of
the settlement class. A significant number of these "opt-outs"
reorganized by state and in the summer of 2019 began filing "group
action" complaints against Ford across more than 20 states.
Ford subsequently filed Notices of Potential Tag-Along Actions with
the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ("JPML") for each
group action. After receiving no objections to transfer, the JPML
transferred each group action to the Court for consolidated
pretrial proceedings. Once the transfers completed, Ford filed
motions to dismiss for each group action. Then -- despite having
not objected to the JPML's Conditional Transfer Orders for each
group action -- Ford filed the underlying motion, which asks the
Court to suggest to the JPML that each group action should actually
be remanded to its respective transferor court.
Meanwhile, the Plaintiffs -- who, despite opting out of the $299
million settlement that was reached as a result of consolidated
pretrial proceedings -- now want to litigate their renewed claims
against Ford in consolidated pretrial proceedings, arguing that the
Court is in the best position to make pretrial rulings and expedite
a disposition of the litigation.
After reviewing the Motion for Suggestion of Remand, the
Opposition, the Reply, and hearing from counsel during the Jan. 23,
2020 status conference, Judge Moreno now decides whether the named
group action should be recommended for remand. In so deciding, the
Judge analyzes the group actions collectively.
The Judge finds that it is actually the parties that are in the
unique position to facilitate a resolution of the lawsuits without
the need for trials. And indeed, it appears to the Court that a
settlement was already reached in a California based group action
before transfer to the MDL proceeding was ever initiated. Thus,
the parties have already proven their ability to meaningfully work
through issues without the need for centralized proceedings.
Notably, when considering whether to transfer cases for
consolidated pretrial proceedings, the JPML has factored into its
decisions the extent of practicable informal cooperation between
counsel. In short, then, the Judge finds that the informal
cooperation already demonstrated by the counsel in these group
actions weighs in favor of remand.
The Judge now assesses the extent to which the group actions raise
common discovery issues and common legal claims, both amongst each
other and when compared to the class actions currently being
litigated in the MDL proceeding. The Plaintiffs maintain that the
group actions should remain in the Court for consolidated pretrial
proceedings. On the other hand, Ford contends that common
liability discovery is complete and thus no meaningful efficiencies
will be created by consolidation of these cases into the MDL.
The Judge finds that discovery will be needed to determine, at
minimum, when and where each plaintiff purchased or leased their
vehicle, whether each plaintiff transacted with Ford or an
authorized Ford dealer, and potentially whether each plaintiff
relied on alleged misrepresentations when purchasing or leasing
their vehicle. The discovery is case specific. It has no relation
to the common liability discovery into Ford that was completed
earlier in the MDL proceeding; it also has no relation to the
discovery currently ongoing into several other automotive
manufacturers named in the consolidated class action complaints.
For these reasons, the Judge finds that because remaining discovery
is case specific, this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
In addition to remaining discovery being case specific, there is
also a dearth of common legal issues because each group action
asserts state specific claims. Accordingly, the Judge finds that
this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
Ultimately, Judge Moreno agrees with the Plaintiffs that
consolidated pretrial proceedings would convenience the parties and
their counsel. But because the bulk of remaining discovery and the
legal claims in each group action are case specific, and because
common counsel involved in each group action have demonstrated
their ability to cooperate and resolve disputes without court
supervision, the Judge finds that under a totality of the
circumstances, the group actions will not benefit from coordinated
pretrial proceedings as part of the MDL.
For all these reasons, Judge Moreno granted the Motion for
Suggestion of Remand. The Judge respectfully suggested to the
Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation that the named case be
remanded to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of
Ohio.
A full-text copy of Judge Moreno's Feb. 28, 2020 Order is available
at https://is.gd/T3NvMS from Leagle.com.
Takata Airbag Products Liability Litigation, In Re, represented by
Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- at Covington &
Burling, LLP
Daniel S. Silva, James Herron, Leslie Flaherty, Holly Ruth, M&K
Used Auto Parts, Inc., Robert Barto, John Meiser, Charles & Vickie
Burd Plaintiffs, Charles & Dana Talamantes, Eugennie Sinclair,
Quarnos Auto Salvage, Daniel Thies, Camila G. Corteleti, Rigsby's
Auto Parts & Sales, Inc., Darla Spies, Vickie Burd, Dana
Talamantes, Alicia Benton, Justin S. Birdsall, Loren Petersen,
Eric Rosson, Teresa Woodard, Plaintiffs, represented by Peter
Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Mary Hasley, Megan Sayre-Scibona, Pamela Wilsey, Doreen Dembeck,
Helen Klemer, Lisa Peterson, Plaintiffs, represented by Brian
Morrison -- bmorrison@labaton.com -- Daniel R. Leathers -- at
Labaton Sucharow, LLP; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Regina M. Reilly, Rebecca Lew, Carla Thompson, Plaintiffs,
represented by W. Daniel Miles, III -- dee.miles@beasleyallen.com
-- Archie I. Grubb, II -- archie.grubb@beasleyallen.com -- H. Clay
Barnett -- clay.barnett@beasleyallen.com -- at Beasley Allen Crow
Methvin Portis & Miles; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Plaintiffs Lead Counsel, Plaintiff, represented by Peter Prieto --
pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; Curtis Bradley
Miner -- curt@colson.com -- Stephanie Anne Casey --
scasey@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Gurinder Dhillon, Plaintiff, represented by Curtis Bradley Miner -
- curt@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Craig Dunn, Consol Plaintiff, represented by Aaron Samuel Podhurst
-- apodhurst@podhurst.com -- John Gravante, III --
jgravante@podhurst.com -- Matthew Weinshall --
mweinshall@podhurst.com -- Stephen Frederick Rosenthal --
srosenthal@podhurst.com -- Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com --
at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; David Fernandes --
dfernandes@baronbudd.com -- J. Burton LeBlanc -- Mark Pifko --
mpifko@baronbudd.com -- Pablo Orozco -- Roland Tellis --
rtellis@baronbudd.com -- at Baron & Budd, PC; Michael P. Thornton
-- mthornton@tenlaw.com -- at Thornton Law Firm, LLP; Eric D.
Gottlieb -- egottlieb@labaton.com -- Gregory S. Asciolla --
gasciolla@labaton.com -- Katherine R. Ryan -- Lawrence A. Sucharow
-- lsucharow@labaton.com -- Martis Alex -- Michael W. Stocker --
mstocker@labaton.com -- Robin A. van der Meulen --
rvandermeulen@labaton.com -- at Labaton Sucharow LLP
FCA US LLC, Defendant, represented by Martin Leonard Steinberg --
marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Scott M. Sarason -- ssarason@rumberger.com
-- at Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell
Inflation Systems Inc., Defendant, represented by Stephen J.
Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
General Motors LLC, Defendant, represented by Laurie Michele Riley
-- lriley@joneswalker.com -- at Jones Walker LLP; Leonid Feller --
leonid.feller@kirkland.com -- Renee D. Smith --
renee.smith@kirkland.com -- at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP
Takata Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by Brian O.
Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore & Henderson,
PA; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; Keith A. Teel --
kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com -- Lanny A.
Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- Paul W.
Schmidt -- pschmidt@cov.com -- at Covington & Burling, LLP;
Phillippa V. Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton,
Egan, Jones & Sweeney, LLP; T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.
TK Holdings, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by Alex P.
Tilling -- atilling@leakeandersson.com -- Cristin Fitzgerald
Bordelon -- Jerry L. Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com --
at Leake & Anderson LLP; Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent
-- ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor,
LLP; Brian O. Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore
& Henderson, PA; Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- Keith
A. Teel -- kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com --
Lanny A. Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- at Covington
& Burling, LLP; Christopher J. York -- at McGahren Gaskill & York,
LLC; Cynthia A. Hawkins -- Cynthia@CynthiaHawkinsLaw.com -- at Law
Office of Cynthia Hawkins; Damien Arthur Orato --
dorato@rumberger.com -- Lena Marguerite Mirilovic --
lmirilovic@rumberger.com -- Michael Daniel Begey --
mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers Culley --
sculley@rumberger.com -- William L. Kirk, Jr. -- at Rumberger,
Kirk & Caldwell; Daniel John Kissan -- daniel.kissane@csklegal.com
-- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice; Garth Thomas Yearick --
gyearick@carltonfields.com -- Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- Thomas Meeks --
tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.;
Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Loren William
Fender -- loren.fender@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda
Cardenas-Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke LLP; Matthew J. Stanczyk --
mstanczyk@plunkettcooney.com -- at Plunkett Cooney; Phillippa V.
Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton, Egan, Jones &
Sweeney, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod; Robert J. Hoffman --
rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP; Sterling Gardner
Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at Rogers & Hardin, LLP;
William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliff
Highland Industries, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor;
Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at Womble Carlyle Sandridge &
Rice; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Jerry L.
Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com -- at Leake & Anderson
LLP; Lena Marguerite Mirilovic -- lmirilovic@rumberger.com --
Michael Daniel Begey -- mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers
Culley -- sculley@rumberger.com -- Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell;
Robert J. Hoffman -- rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP;
Sterling Gardner Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at
Rogers & Hardin, LLP; William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington &
Sutcliff; Stephen J. Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com --
Thomas Meeks -- tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
Honda Motor Company, LTD, Consol Defendant, represented by Adam P.
Micale -- amicale@sidley.com -- Alexis Rollins Dunton --
adunton@sidley.com -- Amanda Farfel -- afarfel@sidley.com --
Andrew J. Chinsky -- achinsky@sidley.com -- Darlene M. Cho --
dcho@sidley.com -- Kristen E. Rau -- at Sidley Austin, LLP; Joel
H. Smith -- joel.smith@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Matthew Brooks
Miller -- brooks.miller@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman & Brooke,
LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com
-- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod
American Honda Co., Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Courtney Crook Shytle -- courtney.shytle@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke; Daniel John Kissane --
daniel.kissane@csklegal.com -- Thomas E. Scott, Jr. --
thomas.scott@csklegal.com -- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Ellyce R.
Cooper -- ecooper@sidley.com -- Eric S. Mattson --
emattson@sidley.com -- Mark Douglas Campbell --
mcampbell@sidley.com -- Michael C. Andolina --
mandolina@sidley.com -- Michael L. Mallow -- mmallow@sidley.com --
Sean A. Commons -- scommons@sidley.com -- Catherine Valerio Barrad
-- at Sidley Austin LLP
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Consol Defendant, represented by
Jessica Farley -- jessica.farley@nortonrosefulbright.com -- Steven
D. Jansma -- steven.jansma@nortonrosefulbright.com -- at Norton
Rose Fulbright US LLP
BMW of North America, LLC and BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC, Consol
Defendants, represented by Christopher J. Dalton --
christopher.dalton@bipc.com -- Rosemary Joan Bruno --
rosemary.bruno@bipc.com -- Jesse H. Diner -- jesse.diner@bipc.com
-- Stephen Carey Villeneuve -- carey.villeneuve@bipc.com -- at
Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, PC; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod; Eric Y. Kizirian -- Eric.Kizirian@lewisbrisbois.com --
Jeffrey Arthur Mowers -- Jeffrey.Mowers@lewisbrisbois.com --
Michael Keith Grimaldi -- Michael.Grimaldi@lewisbrisbois.com -- at
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard and Smith, LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -
- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Jeffrey T. Gorcyca -- jeffrey.gorcyca@bowmanandbrooke.com --
Matthew G. Berard -- matthew.berard@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Thomas
P. Branigan -- tom.branigan@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP; Philip Semprevivo, Jr. --
Philip.Semprevivo@lawbhs.com -- at Biedermann Hoenig-Semprevivo;
Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis &
Bockius LLP
Toyota Motor Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Derek S.
Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew --
etew@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; Michiko A. Brown
-- brown@wtotrial.com -- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com
-- at Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell, LLP; Robert Mark Brochin --
bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis & Bockius; John Carl
Seipp, Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering &
Manufacturing North America, Inc. Consol Defendants, represented
by Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com --
at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom --
mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod;
Kimberly A. Cook -- kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick
LLP; Derek S. Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew
-- etew@dykema.com -- Terri Steinhaus Reiskin --
treiskin@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; John Carl Seipp,
Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Donald Arthur Blackwell -
- don.blackwell@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda Cardenas-
Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke LLP; Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -
- at Lewis & Bockius LLP; Michiko A. Brown -- brown@wtotrial.com -
- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com -- at Wheeler Trigg
O'Donnell, LLP; Mark N. Bodin -- mbodin@mcglinchey.com -- Sarah
Elizabeth McMillan -- semcmillan@mcglinchey.com -- at McGlinchey
Stafford, PLLC
Chrysler Group LLC, Consol Defendant, represented by Armando
Gustavo Hernandez -- ahernandez@rumberger.com -- Scott M. Sarason
-- ssarason@rumberger.com -- at Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell, PA;
John W. Rogers -- at Coburn, LLP
MDL 2599: Remand of McDaid Suit v. Ford to Pennsylvania Endorsed
----------------------------------------------------------------
In the case, IN RE: TAKATA AIRBAG PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION.
THIS DOCUMENT RELATES TO ECONOMIC LOSS TRACK CASES. EDWARD B.
McDAID, et. al., Plaintiffs, v. FORD MOTOR COMPANY, Defendant, MDL
No. 2599, Master File No. 15-02599-MD-MORENO, Econ. Loss File No.
14-24009-CV-MORENO, S.D. Fla. Case No. 19-24447-CV-MORENO (S.D.
Fla.), Judge Federico A. Moreno of the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, (i) granted Defendant
Ford's Motion for Suggestion of Remand, filed on Jan. 21, 2020; and
(ii) suggested to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
that the named case be remanded to the U.S. District Court for the
Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
In December 2018, the Court entered a Final Order that approved a
$299 million class settlement with Ford and that certified the
settlement class. The Court attached to the Final Order an exhibit
that listed more than 3,500 persons and entities who opted out of
the settlement class. A significant number of these "opt-outs"
reorganized by state and in the summer of 2019 began filing "group
action" complaints against Ford across more than 20 states.
Ford subsequently filed Notices of Potential Tag-Along Actions with
the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ("JPML") for each
group action. After receiving no objections to transfer, the JPML
transferred each group action to the Court for consolidated
pretrial proceedings. Once the transfers completed, Ford filed
motions to dismiss for each group action. Then -- despite having
not objected to the JPML's Conditional Transfer Orders for each
group action -- Ford filed the underlying motion, which asks the
Court to suggest to the JPML that each group action should actually
be remanded to its respective transferor court.
Meanwhile, the Plaintiffs -- who, despite opting out of the $299
million settlement that was reached as a result of consolidated
pretrial proceedings -- now want to litigate their renewed claims
against Ford in consolidated pretrial proceedings, arguing that the
Court is in the best position to make pretrial rulings and expedite
a disposition of the litigation.
After reviewing the Motion for Suggestion of Remand, the
Opposition, the Reply, and hearing from counsel during the Jan. 23,
2020 status conference, Judge Moreno now decides whether the named
group action should be recommended for remand. In so deciding, he
analyzes the group actions collectively.
Judge Moreno finds that it is actually the parties that are in the
unique position to facilitate a resolution of the lawsuits without
the need for trials. And indeed, it appears to the Court that a
settlement was already reached in a California based group action
before transfer to the MDL proceeding was ever initiated. Thus,
the parties have already proven their ability to meaningfully work
through issues without the need for centralized proceedings.
Notably, when considering whether to transfer cases for
consolidated pretrial proceedings, the JPML has factored into its
decisions the extent of practicable informal cooperation between
counsel. In short, then, the Judge finds that the informal
cooperation already demonstrated by the counsel in these group
actions weighs in favor of remand.
The Judge now assesses the extent to which the group actions raise
common discovery issues and common legal claims, both amongst each
other and when compared to the class actions currently being
litigated in the MDL proceeding. The Plaintiffs maintain that the
group actions should remain in the Court for consolidated pretrial
proceedings. On the other hand, Ford contends that common
liability discovery is complete and thus no meaningful efficiencies
will be created by consolidation of these cases into the MDL.
The Judge finds that discovery will be needed to determine, at
minimum, when and where each plaintiff purchased or leased their
vehicle, whether each plaintiff transacted with Ford or an
authorized Ford dealer, and potentially whether each plaintiff
relied on alleged misrepresentations when purchasing or leasing
their vehicle. The discovery is case specific. It has no relation
to the common liability discovery into Ford that was completed
earlier in the MDL proceeding; it also has no relation to the
discovery currently ongoing into several other automotive
manufacturers named in the consolidated class action complaints.
For these reasons, the Judge finds that because remaining discovery
is case specific, this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
In addition to remaining discovery being case specific, there is
also a dearth of common legal issues because each group action
asserts state specific claims. Accordingly, the Judge finds that
this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
Ultimately, Judge Moreno agrees with the Plaintiffs that
consolidated pretrial proceedings would convenience the parties and
their counsel. But because the bulk of remaining discovery and the
legal claims in each group action are case specific, and because
common counsel involved in each group action have demonstrated
their ability to cooperate and resolve disputes without court
supervision, the Judge finds that under a totality of the
circumstances, the group actions will not benefit from coordinated
pretrial proceedings as part of the MDL.
For all these reasons, Judge Moreno granted the Motion for
Suggestion of Remand. The Judge respectfully suggested to the
Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation that the named case be
remanded to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of
Pennsylvania.
A full-text copy of Judge Moreno's Feb. 28, 2020 Order is available
at https://is.gd/zeK3pq from Leagle.com.
Takata Airbag Products Liability Litigation, In Re, represented by
Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- at Covington &
Burling, LLP
Daniel S. Silva, James Herron, Leslie Flaherty, Holly Ruth, M&K
Used Auto Parts, Inc., Robert Barto, John Meiser, Charles & Vickie
Burd Plaintiffs, Charles & Dana Talamantes, Eugennie Sinclair,
Quarnos Auto Salvage, Daniel Thies, Camila G. Corteleti, Rigsby's
Auto Parts & Sales, Inc., Darla Spies, Vickie Burd, Dana
Talamantes, Alicia Benton, Justin S. Birdsall, Loren Petersen,
Eric Rosson, Teresa Woodard, Plaintiffs, represented by Peter
Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Mary Hasley, Megan Sayre-Scibona, Pamela Wilsey, Doreen Dembeck,
Helen Klemer, Lisa Peterson, Plaintiffs, represented by Brian
Morrison -- bmorrison@labaton.com -- Daniel R. Leathers -- at
Labaton Sucharow, LLP; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Regina M. Reilly, Rebecca Lew, Carla Thompson, Plaintiffs,
represented by W. Daniel Miles, III -- dee.miles@beasleyallen.com
-- Archie I. Grubb, II -- archie.grubb@beasleyallen.com -- H. Clay
Barnett -- clay.barnett@beasleyallen.com -- at Beasley Allen Crow
Methvin Portis & Miles; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Plaintiffs Lead Counsel, Plaintiff, represented by Peter Prieto --
pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; Curtis Bradley
Miner -- curt@colson.com -- Stephanie Anne Casey --
scasey@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Gurinder Dhillon, Plaintiff, represented by Curtis Bradley Miner -
- curt@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Craig Dunn, Consol Plaintiff, represented by Aaron Samuel Podhurst
-- apodhurst@podhurst.com -- John Gravante, III --
jgravante@podhurst.com -- Matthew Weinshall --
mweinshall@podhurst.com -- Stephen Frederick Rosenthal --
srosenthal@podhurst.com -- Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com --
at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; David Fernandes --
dfernandes@baronbudd.com -- J. Burton LeBlanc -- Mark Pifko --
mpifko@baronbudd.com -- Pablo Orozco -- Roland Tellis --
rtellis@baronbudd.com -- at Baron & Budd, PC; Michael P. Thornton
-- mthornton@tenlaw.com -- at Thornton Law Firm, LLP; Eric D.
Gottlieb -- egottlieb@labaton.com -- Gregory S. Asciolla --
gasciolla@labaton.com -- Katherine R. Ryan -- Lawrence A. Sucharow
-- lsucharow@labaton.com -- Martis Alex -- Michael W. Stocker --
mstocker@labaton.com -- Robin A. van der Meulen --
rvandermeulen@labaton.com -- at Labaton Sucharow LLP
FCA US LLC, Defendant, represented by Martin Leonard Steinberg --
marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Scott M. Sarason -- ssarason@rumberger.com
-- at Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell
Inflation Systems Inc., Defendant, represented by Stephen J.
Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
General Motors LLC, Defendant, represented by Laurie Michele Riley
-- lriley@joneswalker.com -- at Jones Walker LLP; Leonid Feller --
leonid.feller@kirkland.com -- Renee D. Smith --
renee.smith@kirkland.com -- at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP
Takata Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by Brian O.
Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore & Henderson,
PA; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; Keith A. Teel --
kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com -- Lanny A.
Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- Paul W.
Schmidt -- pschmidt@cov.com -- at Covington & Burling, LLP;
Phillippa V. Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton,
Egan, Jones & Sweeney, LLP; T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.
TK Holdings, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by Alex P.
Tilling -- atilling@leakeandersson.com -- Cristin Fitzgerald
Bordelon -- Jerry L. Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com --
at Leake & Anderson LLP; Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent
-- ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor,
LLP; Brian O. Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore
& Henderson, PA; Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- Keith
A. Teel -- kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com --
Lanny A. Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- at Covington
& Burling, LLP; Christopher J. York -- at McGahren Gaskill & York,
LLC; Cynthia A. Hawkins -- Cynthia@CynthiaHawkinsLaw.com -- at Law
Office of Cynthia Hawkins; Damien Arthur Orato --
dorato@rumberger.com -- Lena Marguerite Mirilovic --
lmirilovic@rumberger.com -- Michael Daniel Begey --
mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers Culley --
sculley@rumberger.com -- William L. Kirk, Jr. -- at Rumberger,
Kirk & Caldwell; Daniel John Kissan -- daniel.kissane@csklegal.com
-- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice; Garth Thomas Yearick --
gyearick@carltonfields.com -- Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- Thomas Meeks --
tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.;
Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Loren William
Fender -- loren.fender@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda
Cardenas-Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke LLP; Matthew J. Stanczyk --
mstanczyk@plunkettcooney.com -- at Plunkett Cooney; Phillippa V.
Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton, Egan, Jones &
Sweeney, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod; Robert J. Hoffman --
rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP; Sterling Gardner
Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at Rogers & Hardin, LLP;
William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliff
Highland Industries, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor;
Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at Womble Carlyle Sandridge &
Rice; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Jerry L.
Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com -- at Leake & Anderson
LLP; Lena Marguerite Mirilovic -- lmirilovic@rumberger.com --
Michael Daniel Begey -- mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers
Culley -- sculley@rumberger.com -- Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell;
Robert J. Hoffman -- rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP;
Sterling Gardner Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at
Rogers & Hardin, LLP; William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington &
Sutcliff; Stephen J. Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com --
Thomas Meeks -- tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
Honda Motor Company, LTD, Consol Defendant, represented by Adam P.
Micale -- amicale@sidley.com -- Alexis Rollins Dunton --
adunton@sidley.com -- Amanda Farfel -- afarfel@sidley.com --
Andrew J. Chinsky -- achinsky@sidley.com -- Darlene M. Cho --
dcho@sidley.com -- Kristen E. Rau -- at Sidley Austin, LLP; Joel
H. Smith -- joel.smith@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Matthew Brooks
Miller -- brooks.miller@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman & Brooke,
LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com
-- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod
American Honda Co., Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Courtney Crook Shytle -- courtney.shytle@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke; Daniel John Kissane --
daniel.kissane@csklegal.com -- Thomas E. Scott, Jr. --
thomas.scott@csklegal.com -- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Ellyce R.
Cooper -- ecooper@sidley.com -- Eric S. Mattson --
emattson@sidley.com -- Mark Douglas Campbell --
mcampbell@sidley.com -- Michael C. Andolina --
mandolina@sidley.com -- Michael L. Mallow -- mmallow@sidley.com --
Sean A. Commons -- scommons@sidley.com -- Catherine Valerio Barrad
-- at Sidley Austin LLP
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Consol Defendant, represented by
Jessica Farley -- jessica.farley@nortonrosefulbright.com -- Steven
D. Jansma -- steven.jansma@nortonrosefulbright.com -- at Norton
Rose Fulbright US LLP
BMW of North America, LLC and BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC, Consol
Defendants, represented by Christopher J. Dalton --
christopher.dalton@bipc.com -- Rosemary Joan Bruno --
rosemary.bruno@bipc.com -- Jesse H. Diner -- jesse.diner@bipc.com
-- Stephen Carey Villeneuve -- carey.villeneuve@bipc.com -- at
Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, PC; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod; Eric Y. Kizirian -- Eric.Kizirian@lewisbrisbois.com --
Jeffrey Arthur Mowers -- Jeffrey.Mowers@lewisbrisbois.com --
Michael Keith Grimaldi -- Michael.Grimaldi@lewisbrisbois.com -- at
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard and Smith, LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -
- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Jeffrey T. Gorcyca -- jeffrey.gorcyca@bowmanandbrooke.com --
Matthew G. Berard -- matthew.berard@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Thomas
P. Branigan -- tom.branigan@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP; Philip Semprevivo, Jr. --
Philip.Semprevivo@lawbhs.com -- at Biedermann Hoenig-Semprevivo;
Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis &
Bockius LLP
Toyota Motor Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Derek S.
Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew --
etew@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; Michiko A. Brown
-- brown@wtotrial.com -- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com
-- at Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell, LLP; Robert Mark Brochin --
bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis & Bockius; John Carl
Seipp, Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering &
Manufacturing North America, Inc. Consol Defendants, represented
by Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com --
at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom --
mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod;
Kimberly A. Cook -- kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick
LLP; Derek S. Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew
-- etew@dykema.com -- Terri Steinhaus Reiskin --
treiskin@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; John Carl Seipp,
Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Donald Arthur Blackwell -
- don.blackwell@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda Cardenas-
Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke LLP; Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -
- at Lewis & Bockius LLP; Michiko A. Brown -- brown@wtotrial.com -
- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com -- at Wheeler Trigg
O'Donnell, LLP; Mark N. Bodin -- mbodin@mcglinchey.com -- Sarah
Elizabeth McMillan -- semcmillan@mcglinchey.com -- at McGlinchey
Stafford, PLLC
Chrysler Group LLC, Consol Defendant, represented by Armando
Gustavo Hernandez -- ahernandez@rumberger.com -- Scott M. Sarason
-- ssarason@rumberger.com -- at Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell, PA;
John W. Rogers -- at Coburn, LLP
MDL 2599: Remand of Powell Suit v. Ford to E.D. Michigan Endorsed
-----------------------------------------------------------------
In the case, IN RE: TAKATA AIRBAG PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION.
THIS DOCUMENT RELATES TO ECONOMIC LOSS TRACK CASES. JUANITA POWELL,
et. al., Plaintiffs, v. FORD MOTOR COMPANY, Defendant, MDL No.
2599, Master File No. 15-02599-MD-MORENO, Econ. Loss File No.
14-24009-CV-MORENO, S.D. Fla. Case No. 19-25205-CV-MORENO (S.D.
Fla.), Judge Federico A. Moreno of the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, (i) granted Defendant
Ford's Motion for Suggestion of Remand, filed on Jan. 21, 2020; and
(ii) suggested to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
that the named case be remanded to the U.S. District Court for the
Eastern District of Michigan.
In December 2018, the Court entered a Final Order that approved a
$299 million class settlement with Ford and that certified the
settlement class. The Court attached to the Final Order an exhibit
that listed more than 3,500 persons and entities who opted out of
the settlement class. A significant number of these "opt-outs"
reorganized by state and in the summer of 2019 began filing "group
action" complaints against Ford across more than 20 states.
Ford subsequently filed Notices of Potential Tag-Along Actions with
the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ("JPML") for each
group action. After receiving no objections to transfer, the JPML
transferred each group action to the Court for consolidated
pretrial proceedings. Once the transfers completed, Ford filed
motions to dismiss for each group action. Then -- despite having
not objected to the JPML's Conditional Transfer Orders for each
group action -- Ford filed the underlying motion, which asks the
Court to suggest to the JPML that each group action should actually
be remanded to its respective transferor court.
Meanwhile, the Plaintiffs -- who, despite opting out of the $299
million settlement that was reached as a result of consolidated
pretrial proceedings -- now want to litigate their renewed claims
against Ford in consolidated pretrial proceedings, arguing that the
Court is in the best position to make pretrial rulings and expedite
a disposition of the litigation.
After reviewing the Motion for Suggestion of Remand, the
Opposition, the Reply, and hearing from counsel during the Jan. 23,
2020 status conference, Judge Moreno now decides whether the named
group action should be recommended for remand. In so deciding, the
Judge analyzes the group actions collectively.
The Judge finds that it is actually the parties that are in the
unique position to facilitate a resolution of the lawsuits without
the need for trials. And indeed, it appears to the Court that a
settlement was already reached in a California based group action
before transfer to the MDL proceeding was ever initiated. Thus,
the parties have already proven their ability to meaningfully work
through issues without the need for centralized proceedings.
Notably, when considering whether to transfer cases for
consolidated pretrial proceedings, the JPML has factored into its
decisions the extent of practicable informal cooperation between
counsel. In short, then, the Judge finds that the informal
cooperation already demonstrated by the counsel in these group
actions weighs in favor of remand.
The Judge now assesses the extent to which the group actions raise
common discovery issues and common legal claims, both amongst each
other and when compared to the class actions currently being
litigated in the MDL proceeding. The Plaintiffs maintain that the
group actions should remain in the Court for consolidated pretrial
proceedings. On the other hand, Ford contends that common
liability discovery is complete and thus no meaningful efficiencies
will be created by consolidation of these cases into the MDL.
The Judge finds that discovery will be needed to determine, at
minimum, when and where each plaintiff purchased or leased their
vehicle, whether each plaintiff transacted with Ford or an
authorized Ford dealer, and potentially whether each plaintiff
relied on alleged misrepresentations when purchasing or leasing
their vehicle. The discovery is case specific. It has no relation
to the common liability discovery into Ford that was completed
earlier in the MDL proceeding; it also has no relation to the
discovery currently ongoing into several other automotive
manufacturers named in the consolidated class action complaints.
For these reasons, the Judge finds that because remaining discovery
is case specific, this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
In addition to remaining discovery being case specific, there is
also a dearth of common legal issues because each group action
asserts state specific claims. Accordingly, the Judge finds that
this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
Ultimately, Judge Moreno agrees with the Plaintiffs that
consolidated pretrial proceedings would convenience the parties and
their counsel. But because the bulk of remaining discovery and the
legal claims in each group action are case specific, and because
common counsel involved in each group action have demonstrated
their ability to cooperate and resolve disputes without court
supervision, the Judge finds that under a totality of the
circumstances, the group actions will not benefit from coordinated
pretrial proceedings as part of the MDL.
For all these reasons, Judge Moreno granted the Motion for
Suggestion of Remand. The Judge respectfully suggested to the
Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation that the named case be
remanded to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of
Michigan.
A full-text copy of Judge Moreno's Feb. 28, 2020 Order is available
at https://is.gd/7q2wDc from Leagle.com.
Takata Airbag Products Liability Litigation, In Re, represented by
Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- at Covington &
Burling, LLP
Daniel S. Silva, James Herron, Leslie Flaherty, Holly Ruth, M&K
Used Auto Parts, Inc., Robert Barto, John Meiser, Charles & Vickie
Burd Plaintiffs, Charles & Dana Talamantes, Eugennie Sinclair,
Quarnos Auto Salvage, Daniel Thies, Camila G. Corteleti, Rigsby's
Auto Parts & Sales, Inc., Darla Spies, Vickie Burd, Dana
Talamantes, Alicia Benton, Justin S. Birdsall, Loren Petersen,
Eric Rosson, Teresa Woodard, Plaintiffs, represented by Peter
Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Mary Hasley, Megan Sayre-Scibona, Pamela Wilsey, Doreen Dembeck,
Helen Klemer, Lisa Peterson, Plaintiffs, represented by Brian
Morrison -- bmorrison@labaton.com -- Daniel R. Leathers -- at
Labaton Sucharow, LLP; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Regina M. Reilly, Rebecca Lew, Carla Thompson, Plaintiffs,
represented by W. Daniel Miles, III -- dee.miles@beasleyallen.com
-- Archie I. Grubb, II -- archie.grubb@beasleyallen.com -- H. Clay
Barnett -- clay.barnett@beasleyallen.com -- at Beasley Allen Crow
Methvin Portis & Miles; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Plaintiffs Lead Counsel, Plaintiff, represented by Peter Prieto --
pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; Curtis Bradley
Miner -- curt@colson.com -- Stephanie Anne Casey --
scasey@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Gurinder Dhillon, Plaintiff, represented by Curtis Bradley Miner -
- curt@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Craig Dunn, Consol Plaintiff, represented by Aaron Samuel Podhurst
-- apodhurst@podhurst.com -- John Gravante, III --
jgravante@podhurst.com -- Matthew Weinshall --
mweinshall@podhurst.com -- Stephen Frederick Rosenthal --
srosenthal@podhurst.com -- Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com --
at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; David Fernandes --
dfernandes@baronbudd.com -- J. Burton LeBlanc -- Mark Pifko --
mpifko@baronbudd.com -- Pablo Orozco -- Roland Tellis --
rtellis@baronbudd.com -- at Baron & Budd, PC; Michael P. Thornton
-- mthornton@tenlaw.com -- at Thornton Law Firm, LLP; Eric D.
Gottlieb -- egottlieb@labaton.com -- Gregory S. Asciolla --
gasciolla@labaton.com -- Katherine R. Ryan -- Lawrence A. Sucharow
-- lsucharow@labaton.com -- Martis Alex -- Michael W. Stocker --
mstocker@labaton.com -- Robin A. van der Meulen --
rvandermeulen@labaton.com -- at Labaton Sucharow LLP
FCA US LLC, Defendant, represented by Martin Leonard Steinberg --
marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Scott M. Sarason -- ssarason@rumberger.com
-- at Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell
Inflation Systems Inc., Defendant, represented by Stephen J.
Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
General Motors LLC, Defendant, represented by Laurie Michele Riley
-- lriley@joneswalker.com -- at Jones Walker LLP; Leonid Feller --
leonid.feller@kirkland.com -- Renee D. Smith --
renee.smith@kirkland.com -- at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP
Takata Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by Brian O.
Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore & Henderson,
PA; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; Keith A. Teel --
kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com -- Lanny A.
Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- Paul W.
Schmidt -- pschmidt@cov.com -- at Covington & Burling, LLP;
Phillippa V. Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton,
Egan, Jones & Sweeney, LLP; T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.
TK Holdings, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by Alex P.
Tilling -- atilling@leakeandersson.com -- Cristin Fitzgerald
Bordelon -- Jerry L. Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com --
at Leake & Anderson LLP; Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent
-- ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor,
LLP; Brian O. Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore
& Henderson, PA; Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- Keith
A. Teel -- kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com --
Lanny A. Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- at Covington
& Burling, LLP; Christopher J. York -- at McGahren Gaskill & York,
LLC; Cynthia A. Hawkins -- Cynthia@CynthiaHawkinsLaw.com -- at Law
Office of Cynthia Hawkins; Damien Arthur Orato --
dorato@rumberger.com -- Lena Marguerite Mirilovic --
lmirilovic@rumberger.com -- Michael Daniel Begey --
mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers Culley --
sculley@rumberger.com -- William L. Kirk, Jr. -- at Rumberger,
Kirk & Caldwell; Daniel John Kissan -- daniel.kissane@csklegal.com
-- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice; Garth Thomas Yearick --
gyearick@carltonfields.com -- Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- Thomas Meeks --
tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.;
Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Loren William
Fender -- loren.fender@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda
Cardenas-Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke LLP; Matthew J. Stanczyk --
mstanczyk@plunkettcooney.com -- at Plunkett Cooney; Phillippa V.
Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton, Egan, Jones &
Sweeney, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod; Robert J. Hoffman --
rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP; Sterling Gardner
Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at Rogers & Hardin, LLP;
William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliff
Highland Industries, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor;
Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at Womble Carlyle Sandridge &
Rice; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Jerry L.
Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com -- at Leake & Anderson
LLP; Lena Marguerite Mirilovic -- lmirilovic@rumberger.com --
Michael Daniel Begey -- mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers
Culley -- sculley@rumberger.com -- Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell;
Robert J. Hoffman -- rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP;
Sterling Gardner Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at
Rogers & Hardin, LLP; William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington &
Sutcliff; Stephen J. Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com --
Thomas Meeks -- tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
Honda Motor Company, LTD, Consol Defendant, represented by Adam P.
Micale -- amicale@sidley.com -- Alexis Rollins Dunton --
adunton@sidley.com -- Amanda Farfel -- afarfel@sidley.com --
Andrew J. Chinsky -- achinsky@sidley.com -- Darlene M. Cho --
dcho@sidley.com -- Kristen E. Rau -- at Sidley Austin, LLP; Joel
H. Smith -- joel.smith@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Matthew Brooks
Miller -- brooks.miller@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman & Brooke,
LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com
-- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod
American Honda Co., Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Courtney Crook Shytle -- courtney.shytle@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke; Daniel John Kissane --
daniel.kissane@csklegal.com -- Thomas E. Scott, Jr. --
thomas.scott@csklegal.com -- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Ellyce R.
Cooper -- ecooper@sidley.com -- Eric S. Mattson --
emattson@sidley.com -- Mark Douglas Campbell --
mcampbell@sidley.com -- Michael C. Andolina --
mandolina@sidley.com -- Michael L. Mallow -- mmallow@sidley.com --
Sean A. Commons -- scommons@sidley.com -- Catherine Valerio Barrad
-- at Sidley Austin LLP
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Consol Defendant, represented by
Jessica Farley -- jessica.farley@nortonrosefulbright.com -- Steven
D. Jansma -- steven.jansma@nortonrosefulbright.com -- at Norton
Rose Fulbright US LLP
BMW of North America, LLC and BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC, Consol
Defendants, represented by Christopher J. Dalton --
christopher.dalton@bipc.com -- Rosemary Joan Bruno --
rosemary.bruno@bipc.com -- Jesse H. Diner -- jesse.diner@bipc.com
-- Stephen Carey Villeneuve -- carey.villeneuve@bipc.com -- at
Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, PC; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod; Eric Y. Kizirian -- Eric.Kizirian@lewisbrisbois.com --
Jeffrey Arthur Mowers -- Jeffrey.Mowers@lewisbrisbois.com --
Michael Keith Grimaldi -- Michael.Grimaldi@lewisbrisbois.com -- at
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard and Smith, LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -
- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Jeffrey T. Gorcyca -- jeffrey.gorcyca@bowmanandbrooke.com --
Matthew G. Berard -- matthew.berard@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Thomas
P. Branigan -- tom.branigan@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP; Philip Semprevivo, Jr. --
Philip.Semprevivo@lawbhs.com -- at Biedermann Hoenig-Semprevivo;
Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis &
Bockius LLP
Toyota Motor Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Derek S.
Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew --
etew@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; Michiko A. Brown
-- brown@wtotrial.com -- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com
-- at Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell, LLP; Robert Mark Brochin --
bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis & Bockius; John Carl
Seipp, Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering &
Manufacturing North America, Inc. Consol Defendants, represented
by Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com --
at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom --
mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod;
Kimberly A. Cook -- kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick
LLP; Derek S. Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew
-- etew@dykema.com -- Terri Steinhaus Reiskin --
treiskin@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; John Carl Seipp,
Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Donald Arthur Blackwell -
- don.blackwell@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda Cardenas-
Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke LLP; Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -
- at Lewis & Bockius LLP; Michiko A. Brown -- brown@wtotrial.com -
- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com -- at Wheeler Trigg
O'Donnell, LLP; Mark N. Bodin -- mbodin@mcglinchey.com -- Sarah
Elizabeth McMillan -- semcmillan@mcglinchey.com -- at McGlinchey
Stafford, PLLC
Chrysler Group LLC, Consol Defendant, represented by Armando
Gustavo Hernandez -- ahernandez@rumberger.com -- Scott M. Sarason
-- ssarason@rumberger.com -- at Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell, PA;
John W. Rogers -- at Coburn, LLP
MDL 2599: Remand of Reed Suit v. Ford to E.D. Missouri Endorsed
---------------------------------------------------------------
In the case, IN RE: TAKATA AIRBAG PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION.
THIS DOCUMENT RELATES TO ECONOMIC LOSS TRACK CASES. LESLIE REED,
et. al., Plaintiffs, v. FORD MOTOR COMPANY, Defendant, MDL No.
2599, Master File No. 15-02599-MD-MORENO, Econ. Loss File No.
14-24009-CV-MORENO, S.D. Fla. Case No. 19-24791-CV-MORENO (S.D.
Fla.), Judge Federico A. Moreno of the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, (i) granted Defendant
Ford's Motion for Suggestion of Remand, filed on Jan. 21, 2020; and
(ii) suggested to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
that the named case be remanded to the U.S. District Court for the
Eastern Eastern District of Missouri.
In December 2018, the Court entered a Final Order that approved a
$299 million class settlement with Ford and that certified the
settlement class. The Court attached to the Final Order an exhibit
that listed more than 3,500 persons and entities who opted out of
the settlement class. A significant number of these "opt-outs"
reorganized by state and in the summer of 2019 began filing "group
action" complaints against Ford across more than 20 states.
Ford subsequently filed Notices of Potential Tag-Along Actions with
the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ("JPML") for each
group action. After receiving no objections to transfer, the JPML
transferred each group action to the Court for consolidated
pretrial proceedings. Once the transfers completed, Ford filed
motions to dismiss for each group action. Then -- despite having
not objected to the JPML's Conditional Transfer Orders for each
group action -- Ford filed the underlying motion, which asks the
Court to suggest to the JPML that each group action should actually
be remanded to its respective transferor court.
Meanwhile, the Plaintiffs -- who, despite opting out of the $299
million settlement that was reached as a result of consolidated
pretrial proceedings -- now want to litigate their renewed claims
against Ford in consolidated pretrial proceedings, arguing that the
Court is in the best position to make pretrial rulings and expedite
a disposition of the litigation.
After reviewing the Motion for Suggestion of Remand, the
Opposition, the Reply, and hearing from counsel during the Jan. 23,
2020 status conference, Judge Moreno now decides whether the named
group action should be recommended for remand. In so deciding, the
Judge analyzes the group actions collectively.
The Judge finds that it is actually the parties that are in the
unique position to facilitate a resolution of the lawsuits without
the need for trials. And indeed, it appears to the Court that a
settlement was already reached in a California based group action
before transfer to the MDL proceeding was ever initiated. Thus,
the parties have already proven their ability to meaningfully work
through issues without the need for centralized proceedings.
Notably, when considering whether to transfer cases for
consolidated pretrial proceedings, the JPML has factored into its
decisions the extent of practicable informal cooperation between
counsel. In short, then, the Judge finds that the informal
cooperation already demonstrated by the counsel in these group
actions weighs in favor of remand.
The Judge now assesses the extent to which the group actions raise
common discovery issues and common legal claims, both amongst each
other and when compared to the class actions currently being
litigated in the MDL proceeding. The Plaintiffs maintain that the
group actions should remain in the Court for consolidated pretrial
proceedings. On the other hand, Ford contends that common
liability discovery is complete and thus no meaningful efficiencies
will be created by consolidation of these cases into the MDL.
The Judge finds that discovery will be needed to determine, at
minimum, when and where each plaintiff purchased or leased their
vehicle, whether each plaintiff transacted with Ford or an
authorized Ford dealer, and potentially whether each plaintiff
relied on alleged misrepresentations when purchasing or leasing
their vehicle. The discovery is case specific. It has no relation
to the common liability discovery into Ford that was completed
earlier in the MDL proceeding; it also has no relation to the
discovery currently ongoing into several other automotive
manufacturers named in the consolidated class action complaints.
For these reasons, the Judge finds that because remaining discovery
is case specific, this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
In addition to remaining discovery being case specific, there is
also a dearth of common legal issues because each group action
asserts state specific claims. Accordingly, the Judge finds that
this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
Ultimately, Judge Moreno agrees with the Plaintiffs that
consolidated pretrial proceedings would convenience the parties and
their counsel. But because the bulk of remaining discovery and the
legal claims in each group action are case specific, and because
common counsel involved in each group action have demonstrated
their ability to cooperate and resolve disputes without court
supervision, the Judge finds that under a totality of the
circumstances, the group actions will not benefit from coordinated
pretrial proceedings as part of the MDL.
For all these reasons, Judge Moreno granted the Motion for
Suggestion of Remand. The Judge respectfully suggested to the
Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation that the named case be
remanded to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of
Missouri.
A full-text copy of Judge Moreno's Feb. 28, 2020 Order is available
at https://is.gd/bZaz25 from Leagle.com.
Takata Airbag Products Liability Litigation, In Re, represented by
Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- at Covington &
Burling, LLP
Daniel S. Silva, James Herron, Leslie Flaherty, Holly Ruth, M&K
Used Auto Parts, Inc., Robert Barto, John Meiser, Charles & Vickie
Burd Plaintiffs, Charles & Dana Talamantes, Eugennie Sinclair,
Quarnos Auto Salvage, Daniel Thies, Camila G. Corteleti, Rigsby's
Auto Parts & Sales, Inc., Darla Spies, Vickie Burd, Dana
Talamantes, Alicia Benton, Justin S. Birdsall, Loren Petersen,
Eric Rosson, Teresa Woodard, Plaintiffs, represented by Peter
Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Mary Hasley, Megan Sayre-Scibona, Pamela Wilsey, Doreen Dembeck,
Helen Klemer, Lisa Peterson, Plaintiffs, represented by Brian
Morrison -- bmorrison@labaton.com -- Daniel R. Leathers -- at
Labaton Sucharow, LLP; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Regina M. Reilly, Rebecca Lew, Carla Thompson, Plaintiffs,
represented by W. Daniel Miles, III -- dee.miles@beasleyallen.com
-- Archie I. Grubb, II -- archie.grubb@beasleyallen.com -- H. Clay
Barnett -- clay.barnett@beasleyallen.com -- at Beasley Allen Crow
Methvin Portis & Miles; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Plaintiffs Lead Counsel, Plaintiff, represented by Peter Prieto --
pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; Curtis Bradley
Miner -- curt@colson.com -- Stephanie Anne Casey --
scasey@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Gurinder Dhillon, Plaintiff, represented by Curtis Bradley Miner -
- curt@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Craig Dunn, Consol Plaintiff, represented by Aaron Samuel Podhurst
-- apodhurst@podhurst.com -- John Gravante, III --
jgravante@podhurst.com -- Matthew Weinshall --
mweinshall@podhurst.com -- Stephen Frederick Rosenthal --
srosenthal@podhurst.com -- Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com --
at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; David Fernandes --
dfernandes@baronbudd.com -- J. Burton LeBlanc -- Mark Pifko --
mpifko@baronbudd.com -- Pablo Orozco -- Roland Tellis --
rtellis@baronbudd.com -- at Baron & Budd, PC; Michael P. Thornton
-- mthornton@tenlaw.com -- at Thornton Law Firm, LLP; Eric D.
Gottlieb -- egottlieb@labaton.com -- Gregory S. Asciolla --
gasciolla@labaton.com -- Katherine R. Ryan -- Lawrence A. Sucharow
-- lsucharow@labaton.com -- Martis Alex -- Michael W. Stocker --
mstocker@labaton.com -- Robin A. van der Meulen --
rvandermeulen@labaton.com -- at Labaton Sucharow LLP
FCA US LLC, Defendant, represented by Martin Leonard Steinberg --
marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Scott M. Sarason -- ssarason@rumberger.com
-- at Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell
Inflation Systems Inc., Defendant, represented by Stephen J.
Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
General Motors LLC, Defendant, represented by Laurie Michele Riley
-- lriley@joneswalker.com -- at Jones Walker LLP; Leonid Feller --
leonid.feller@kirkland.com -- Renee D. Smith --
renee.smith@kirkland.com -- at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP
Takata Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by Brian O.
Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore & Henderson,
PA; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; Keith A. Teel --
kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com -- Lanny A.
Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- Paul W.
Schmidt -- pschmidt@cov.com -- at Covington & Burling, LLP;
Phillippa V. Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton,
Egan, Jones & Sweeney, LLP; T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.
TK Holdings, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by Alex P.
Tilling -- atilling@leakeandersson.com -- Cristin Fitzgerald
Bordelon -- Jerry L. Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com --
at Leake & Anderson LLP; Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent
-- ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor,
LLP; Brian O. Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore
& Henderson, PA; Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- Keith
A. Teel -- kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com --
Lanny A. Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- at Covington
& Burling, LLP; Christopher J. York -- at McGahren Gaskill & York,
LLC; Cynthia A. Hawkins -- Cynthia@CynthiaHawkinsLaw.com -- at Law
Office of Cynthia Hawkins; Damien Arthur Orato --
dorato@rumberger.com -- Lena Marguerite Mirilovic --
lmirilovic@rumberger.com -- Michael Daniel Begey --
mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers Culley --
sculley@rumberger.com -- William L. Kirk, Jr. -- at Rumberger,
Kirk & Caldwell; Daniel John Kissan -- daniel.kissane@csklegal.com
-- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice; Garth Thomas Yearick --
gyearick@carltonfields.com -- Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- Thomas Meeks --
tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.;
Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Loren William
Fender -- loren.fender@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda
Cardenas-Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke LLP; Matthew J. Stanczyk --
mstanczyk@plunkettcooney.com -- at Plunkett Cooney; Phillippa V.
Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton, Egan, Jones &
Sweeney, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod; Robert J. Hoffman --
rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP; Sterling Gardner
Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at Rogers & Hardin, LLP;
William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliff
Highland Industries, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor;
Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at Womble Carlyle Sandridge &
Rice; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Jerry L.
Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com -- at Leake & Anderson
LLP; Lena Marguerite Mirilovic -- lmirilovic@rumberger.com --
Michael Daniel Begey -- mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers
Culley -- sculley@rumberger.com -- Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell;
Robert J. Hoffman -- rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP;
Sterling Gardner Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at
Rogers & Hardin, LLP; William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington &
Sutcliff; Stephen J. Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com --
Thomas Meeks -- tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
Honda Motor Company, LTD, Consol Defendant, represented by Adam P.
Micale -- amicale@sidley.com -- Alexis Rollins Dunton --
adunton@sidley.com -- Amanda Farfel -- afarfel@sidley.com --
Andrew J. Chinsky -- achinsky@sidley.com -- Darlene M. Cho --
dcho@sidley.com -- Kristen E. Rau -- at Sidley Austin, LLP; Joel
H. Smith -- joel.smith@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Matthew Brooks
Miller -- brooks.miller@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman & Brooke,
LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com
-- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod
American Honda Co., Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Courtney Crook Shytle -- courtney.shytle@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke; Daniel John Kissane --
daniel.kissane@csklegal.com -- Thomas E. Scott, Jr. --
thomas.scott@csklegal.com -- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Ellyce R.
Cooper -- ecooper@sidley.com -- Eric S. Mattson --
emattson@sidley.com -- Mark Douglas Campbell --
mcampbell@sidley.com -- Michael C. Andolina --
mandolina@sidley.com -- Michael L. Mallow -- mmallow@sidley.com --
Sean A. Commons -- scommons@sidley.com -- Catherine Valerio Barrad
-- at Sidley Austin LLP
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Consol Defendant, represented by
Jessica Farley -- jessica.farley@nortonrosefulbright.com -- Steven
D. Jansma -- steven.jansma@nortonrosefulbright.com -- at Norton
Rose Fulbright US LLP
BMW of North America, LLC and BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC, Consol
Defendants, represented by Christopher J. Dalton --
christopher.dalton@bipc.com -- Rosemary Joan Bruno --
rosemary.bruno@bipc.com -- Jesse H. Diner -- jesse.diner@bipc.com
-- Stephen Carey Villeneuve -- carey.villeneuve@bipc.com -- at
Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, PC; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod; Eric Y. Kizirian -- Eric.Kizirian@lewisbrisbois.com --
Jeffrey Arthur Mowers -- Jeffrey.Mowers@lewisbrisbois.com --
Michael Keith Grimaldi -- Michael.Grimaldi@lewisbrisbois.com -- at
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard and Smith, LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -
- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Jeffrey T. Gorcyca -- jeffrey.gorcyca@bowmanandbrooke.com --
Matthew G. Berard -- matthew.berard@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Thomas
P. Branigan -- tom.branigan@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP; Philip Semprevivo, Jr. --
Philip.Semprevivo@lawbhs.com -- at Biedermann Hoenig-Semprevivo;
Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis &
Bockius LLP
Toyota Motor Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Derek S.
Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew --
etew@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; Michiko A. Brown
-- brown@wtotrial.com -- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com
-- at Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell, LLP; Robert Mark Brochin --
bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis & Bockius; John Carl
Seipp, Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering &
Manufacturing North America, Inc. Consol Defendants, represented
by Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com --
at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom --
mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod;
Kimberly A. Cook -- kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick
LLP; Derek S. Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew
-- etew@dykema.com -- Terri Steinhaus Reiskin --
treiskin@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; John Carl Seipp,
Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Donald Arthur Blackwell -
- don.blackwell@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda Cardenas-
Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke LLP; Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -
- at Lewis & Bockius LLP; Michiko A. Brown -- brown@wtotrial.com -
- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com -- at Wheeler Trigg
O'Donnell, LLP; Mark N. Bodin -- mbodin@mcglinchey.com -- Sarah
Elizabeth McMillan -- semcmillan@mcglinchey.com -- at McGlinchey
Stafford, PLLC
Chrysler Group LLC, Consol Defendant, represented by Armando
Gustavo Hernandez -- ahernandez@rumberger.com -- Scott M. Sarason
-- ssarason@rumberger.com -- at Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell, PA;
John W. Rogers -- at Coburn, LLP
MDL 2599: Remand of Senitta Suit v. Ford to New York Endorsed
-------------------------------------------------------------
In the case, IN RE: TAKATA AIRBAG PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION.
THIS DOCUMENT RELATES TO ECONOMIC LOSS TRACK CASES. MICHAEL
SENITTA, JR., et. al., Plaintiffs, v. FORD MOTOR COMPANY,
Defendant, MDL No. 2599, Master File No. 15-02599-MD-MORENO, Econ.
Loss File No. 14-24009-CV-MORENO, S.D. Fla. Case No.
19-24807-CV-MORENO (S.D. Fla.), Judge Federico A. Moreno of the
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami
Division, (i) granted Defendant Ford's Motion for Suggestion of
Remand, filed on Jan. 21, 2020; and (ii) suggested to the Judicial
Panel on Multidistrict Litigation that the named case be remanded
to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
In December 2018, the Court entered a Final Order that approved a
$299 million class settlement with Ford and that certified the
settlement class. The Court attached to the Final Order an exhibit
that listed more than 3,500 persons and entities who opted out of
the settlement class. A significant number of these "opt-outs"
reorganized by state and in the summer of 2019 began filing "group
action" complaints against Ford across more than 20 states.
Ford subsequently filed Notices of Potential Tag-Along Actions with
the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ("JPML") for each
group action. After receiving no objections to transfer, the JPML
transferred each group action to the Court for consolidated
pretrial proceedings. Once the transfers completed, Ford filed
motions to dismiss for each group action. Then -- despite having
not objected to the JPML's Conditional Transfer Orders for each
group action -- Ford filed the underlying motion, which asks the
Court to suggest to the JPML that each group action should actually
be remanded to its respective transferor court.
Meanwhile, the Plaintiffs -- who, despite opting out of the $299
million settlement that was reached as a result of consolidated
pretrial proceedings -- now want to litigate their renewed claims
against Ford in consolidated pretrial proceedings, arguing that the
Court is in the best position to make pretrial rulings and expedite
a disposition of the litigation.
After reviewing the Motion for Suggestion of Remand, the
Opposition, the Reply, and hearing from counsel during the Jan. 23,
2020 status conference, Judge Moreno now decides whether the named
group action should be recommended for remand. In so deciding, he
analyzes the group actions collectively.
The Judge finds that it is actually the parties that are in the
unique position to facilitate a resolution of the lawsuits without
the need for trials. And indeed, it appears to the Court that a
settlement was already reached in a California based group action
before transfer to the MDL proceeding was ever initiated. Thus,
the parties have already proven their ability to meaningfully work
through issues without the need for centralized proceedings.
Notably, when considering whether to transfer cases for
consolidated pretrial proceedings, the JPML has factored into its
decisions the extent of practicable informal cooperation between
counsel. In short, then, the Judge finds that the informal
cooperation already demonstrated by the counsel in these group
actions weighs in favor of remand.
The Judge now assesses the extent to which the group actions raise
common discovery issues and common legal claims, both amongst each
other and when compared to the class actions currently being
litigated in the MDL proceeding. The Plaintiffs maintain that the
group actions should remain in the Court for consolidated pretrial
proceedings. On the other hand, Ford contends that common
liability discovery is complete and thus no meaningful efficiencies
will be created by consolidation of these cases into the MDL.
The Judge finds that discovery will be needed to determine, at
minimum, when and where each plaintiff purchased or leased their
vehicle, whether each plaintiff transacted with Ford or an
authorized Ford dealer, and potentially whether each plaintiff
relied on alleged misrepresentations when purchasing or leasing
their vehicle. The discovery is case specific. It has no relation
to the common liability discovery into Ford that was completed
earlier in the MDL proceeding; it also has no relation to the
discovery currently ongoing into several other automotive
manufacturers named in the consolidated class action complaints.
For these reasons, the Judge finds that because remaining discovery
is case specific, this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
In addition to remaining discovery being case specific, there is
also a dearth of common legal issues because each group action
asserts state specific claims. Accordingly, the Judge finds that
this factor also weighs in favor of remand.
Ultimately, Judge Moreno agrees with the Plaintiffs that
consolidated pretrial proceedings would convenience the parties and
their counsel. But because the bulk of remaining discovery and the
legal claims in each group action are case specific, and because
common counsel involved in each group action have demonstrated
their ability to cooperate and resolve disputes without court
supervision, the Judge finds that under a totality of the
circumstances, the group actions will not benefit from coordinated
pretrial proceedings as part of the MDL.
For all these reasons, Judge Moreno granted the Motion for
Suggestion of Remand. Judge Moreno respectfully suggested to the
Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation that the named case be
remanded to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of
New York.
A full-text copy of Judge Moreno's Feb. 28, 2020 Order is available
at https://is.gd/caqIC5 from Leagle.com.
Takata Airbag Products Liability Litigation, In Re, represented by
Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- at Covington &
Burling, LLP
Daniel S. Silva, James Herron, Leslie Flaherty, Holly Ruth, M&K
Used Auto Parts, Inc., Robert Barto, John Meiser, Charles & Vickie
Burd Plaintiffs, Charles & Dana Talamantes, Eugennie Sinclair,
Quarnos Auto Salvage, Daniel Thies, Camila G. Corteleti, Rigsby's
Auto Parts & Sales, Inc., Darla Spies, Vickie Burd, Dana
Talamantes, Alicia Benton, Justin S. Birdsall, Loren Petersen,
Eric Rosson, Teresa Woodard, Plaintiffs, represented by Peter
Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Mary Hasley, Megan Sayre-Scibona, Pamela Wilsey, Doreen Dembeck,
Helen Klemer, Lisa Peterson, Plaintiffs, represented by Brian
Morrison -- bmorrison@labaton.com -- Daniel R. Leathers -- at
Labaton Sucharow, LLP; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Regina M. Reilly, Rebecca Lew, Carla Thompson, Plaintiffs,
represented by W. Daniel Miles, III -- dee.miles@beasleyallen.com
-- Archie I. Grubb, II -- archie.grubb@beasleyallen.com -- H. Clay
Barnett -- clay.barnett@beasleyallen.com -- at Beasley Allen Crow
Methvin Portis & Miles; Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com -- at
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Plaintiffs Lead Counsel, Plaintiff, represented by Peter Prieto --
pprieto@podhurst.com -- at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; Curtis Bradley
Miner -- curt@colson.com -- Stephanie Anne Casey --
scasey@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Gurinder Dhillon, Plaintiff, represented by Curtis Bradley Miner -
- curt@colson.com -- at Colson Hicks Eidson
Craig Dunn, Consol Plaintiff, represented by Aaron Samuel Podhurst
-- apodhurst@podhurst.com -- John Gravante, III --
jgravante@podhurst.com -- Matthew Weinshall --
mweinshall@podhurst.com -- Stephen Frederick Rosenthal --
srosenthal@podhurst.com -- Peter Prieto -- pprieto@podhurst.com --
at Podhurst Orseck, P.A.; David Fernandes --
dfernandes@baronbudd.com -- J. Burton LeBlanc -- Mark Pifko --
mpifko@baronbudd.com -- Pablo Orozco -- Roland Tellis --
rtellis@baronbudd.com -- at Baron & Budd, PC; Michael P. Thornton
-- mthornton@tenlaw.com -- at Thornton Law Firm, LLP; Eric D.
Gottlieb -- egottlieb@labaton.com -- Gregory S. Asciolla --
gasciolla@labaton.com -- Katherine R. Ryan -- Lawrence A. Sucharow
-- lsucharow@labaton.com -- Martis Alex -- Michael W. Stocker --
mstocker@labaton.com -- Robin A. van der Meulen --
rvandermeulen@labaton.com -- at Labaton Sucharow LLP
FCA US LLC, Defendant, represented by Martin Leonard Steinberg --
marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Scott M. Sarason -- ssarason@rumberger.com
-- at Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell
Inflation Systems Inc., Defendant, represented by Stephen J.
Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
General Motors LLC, Defendant, represented by Laurie Michele Riley
-- lriley@joneswalker.com -- at Jones Walker LLP; Leonid Feller --
leonid.feller@kirkland.com -- Renee D. Smith --
renee.smith@kirkland.com -- at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP
Takata Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by Brian O.
Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore & Henderson,
PA; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; Keith A. Teel --
kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com -- Lanny A.
Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- Paul W.
Schmidt -- pschmidt@cov.com -- at Covington & Burling, LLP;
Phillippa V. Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton,
Egan, Jones & Sweeney, LLP; T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor, LLP;
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.
TK Holdings, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by Alex P.
Tilling -- atilling@leakeandersson.com -- Cristin Fitzgerald
Bordelon -- Jerry L. Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com --
at Leake & Anderson LLP; Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent
-- ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor,
LLP; Brian O. Beverly -- bob@youngmoorelaw.com -- at Young, Moore
& Henderson, PA; Christopher K. Eppich -- ceppich@cov.com -- Keith
A. Teel -- kteel@cov.com -- Kevin M. Kelly -- kkelly@cov.com --
Lanny A. Breuer -- lbreuer@cov.com -- Michael X. Imbroscio --
mimbroscio@cov.com -- Neil K. Roman -- nroman@cov.com -- Shankar
Duraiswamy -- sduraiswamy@cov.com -- Emily Ullman --
eullman@cov.com -- John J. DeBoy -- jdeboy@cov.com -- at Covington
& Burling, LLP; Christopher J. York -- at McGahren Gaskill & York,
LLC; Cynthia A. Hawkins -- Cynthia@CynthiaHawkinsLaw.com -- at Law
Office of Cynthia Hawkins; Damien Arthur Orato --
dorato@rumberger.com -- Lena Marguerite Mirilovic --
lmirilovic@rumberger.com -- Michael Daniel Begey --
mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers Culley --
sculley@rumberger.com -- William L. Kirk, Jr. -- at Rumberger,
Kirk & Caldwell; Daniel John Kissan -- daniel.kissane@csklegal.com
-- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice; Garth Thomas Yearick --
gyearick@carltonfields.com -- Stephen J. Krigbaum --
skrigbaum@carltonfields.com -- Thomas Meeks --
tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.;
Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Loren William
Fender -- loren.fender@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda
Cardenas-Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke LLP; Matthew J. Stanczyk --
mstanczyk@plunkettcooney.com -- at Plunkett Cooney; Phillippa V.
Ellis -- ellis@owengleaton.com -- at Owen, Gleaton, Egan, Jones &
Sweeney, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod; Robert J. Hoffman --
rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP; Sterling Gardner
Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at Rogers & Hardin, LLP;
William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliff
Highland Industries, Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Benjamin W. Allen -- T. Christopher Trent --
ctrent@johnsontrent.com -- at Johnson, Trent, West & Taylor;
Frederick Rom -- from@wcsr.com -- at Womble Carlyle Sandridge &
Rice; Giovanna Tarantino Bingham -- Kyle Harold Dreyer --
kdreyer@hdbdlaw.com -- Larry Don Grayson -- lgrayson@hdbdlaw.com -
- at Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP; James B. Hood --
james.hood@hoodlaw.com -- John O'Connor Radeck, Jr. --
John.Radeck@hoodlaw.com -- at Hood Law Firm, LLC; Jerry L.
Saporito -- jsaporito@leakeandersson.com -- at Leake & Anderson
LLP; Lena Marguerite Mirilovic -- lmirilovic@rumberger.com --
Michael Daniel Begey -- mbegey@rumberger.com -- Sally Rogers
Culley -- sculley@rumberger.com -- Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell;
Robert J. Hoffman -- rjhoffman@bryancave.com -- at Bryan Cave LLP;
Sterling Gardner Culpepper, II -- gculpepper@rh-law.com -- at
Rogers & Hardin, LLP; William W. Oxley -- at Orrick Herrington &
Sutcliff; Stephen J. Krigbaum -- skrigbaum@carltonfields.com --
Thomas Meeks -- tmeeks@carltonfields.com -- at Carlton Fields
Jorden Burt, P.A.
Honda Motor Company, LTD, Consol Defendant, represented by Adam P.
Micale -- amicale@sidley.com -- Alexis Rollins Dunton --
adunton@sidley.com -- Amanda Farfel -- afarfel@sidley.com --
Andrew J. Chinsky -- achinsky@sidley.com -- Darlene M. Cho --
dcho@sidley.com -- Kristen E. Rau -- at Sidley Austin, LLP; Joel
H. Smith -- joel.smith@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Matthew Brooks
Miller -- brooks.miller@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman & Brooke,
LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com
-- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod
American Honda Co., Inc., Consol Defendant, represented by
Courtney Crook Shytle -- courtney.shytle@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at
Bowman and Brooke; Daniel John Kissane --
daniel.kissane@csklegal.com -- Thomas E. Scott, Jr. --
thomas.scott@csklegal.com -- at Cole, Scott & Kissane; Ellyce R.
Cooper -- ecooper@sidley.com -- Eric S. Mattson --
emattson@sidley.com -- Mark Douglas Campbell --
mcampbell@sidley.com -- Michael C. Andolina --
mandolina@sidley.com -- Michael L. Mallow -- mmallow@sidley.com --
Sean A. Commons -- scommons@sidley.com -- Catherine Valerio Barrad
-- at Sidley Austin LLP
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Consol Defendant, represented by
Jessica Farley -- jessica.farley@nortonrosefulbright.com -- Steven
D. Jansma -- steven.jansma@nortonrosefulbright.com -- at Norton
Rose Fulbright US LLP
BMW of North America, LLC and BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC, Consol
Defendants, represented by Christopher J. Dalton --
christopher.dalton@bipc.com -- Rosemary Joan Bruno --
rosemary.bruno@bipc.com -- Jesse H. Diner -- jesse.diner@bipc.com
-- Stephen Carey Villeneuve -- carey.villeneuve@bipc.com -- at
Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, PC; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Mitchell Edward
Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod; Eric Y. Kizirian -- Eric.Kizirian@lewisbrisbois.com --
Jeffrey Arthur Mowers -- Jeffrey.Mowers@lewisbrisbois.com --
Michael Keith Grimaldi -- Michael.Grimaldi@lewisbrisbois.com -- at
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard and Smith, LLP; Martin Leonard Steinberg -
- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com -- at Hogan Lovells US, LLP;
Jeffrey T. Gorcyca -- jeffrey.gorcyca@bowmanandbrooke.com --
Matthew G. Berard -- matthew.berard@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Thomas
P. Branigan -- tom.branigan@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP; Philip Semprevivo, Jr. --
Philip.Semprevivo@lawbhs.com -- at Biedermann Hoenig-Semprevivo;
Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis &
Bockius LLP
Toyota Motor Corporation, Consol Defendant, represented by
Mitchell Edward Widom -- mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg
Baena Price & Axelrod; Kimberly A. Cook --
kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick LLP; Derek S.
Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew --
etew@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; Michiko A. Brown
-- brown@wtotrial.com -- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com
-- at Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell, LLP; Robert Mark Brochin --
bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -- at Lewis & Bockius; John Carl
Seipp, Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke, LLP
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering &
Manufacturing North America, Inc. Consol Defendants, represented
by Martin Leonard Steinberg -- marty.steinberg@hoganlovells.com --
at Hogan Lovells US, LLP; Mitchell Edward Widom --
mwidom@bilzin.com -- at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod;
Kimberly A. Cook -- kimberly.cook@sedgwicklaw.com -- at Sedgwick
LLP; Derek S. Whitefield -- dwhitefield@dykema.com -- Eric C. Tew
-- etew@dykema.com -- Terri Steinhaus Reiskin --
treiskin@dykema.com -- at Dykema Gossett, PLLC; Janet Hickson --
jhickson@shb.com -- at Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP; John Carl Seipp,
Jr. -- john.seipp@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Donald Arthur Blackwell -
- don.blackwell@bowmanandbrooke.com -- Yesenia Esmeralda Cardenas-
Colenso -- yesenia.cardenas@bowmanandbrooke.com -- at Bowman and
Brooke LLP; Robert Mark Brochin -- bobby.brochin@morganlewis.com -
- at Lewis & Bockius LLP; Michiko A. Brown -- brown@wtotrial.com -
- Stephen E. Oertle -- oertle@wtotrial.com -- at Wheeler Trigg
O'Donnell, LLP; Mark N. Bodin -- mbodin@mcglinchey.com -- Sarah
Elizabeth McMillan -- semcmillan@mcglinchey.com -- at McGlinchey
Stafford, PLLC
Chrysler Group LLC, Consol Defendant, represented by Armando
Gustavo Hernandez -- ahernandez@rumberger.com -- Scott M. Sarason
-- ssarason@rumberger.com -- at Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell, PA;
John W. Rogers -- at Coburn, LLP
MEET GROUP: Class Suits Challenge Parship Group GmbH Merger Deal
----------------------------------------------------------------
The Meet Group, Inc. said in its Form 10-Q Report filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 2020, for the
quarterly period ended March 31, 2020, that the company continues
to defend class action suits related to its merger with Parship
Group GmbH.
On March 5, 2020, the Company entered into a definitive agreement
to be acquired by ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE's and General Atlantic
Cooperatief U.A.'s joint company, NCG – NUCOM GROUP SE, a
European stock corporation ("NuCom"), through eHarmony Holding,
Inc., a subsidiary of NuCom's platform company Parship Group GmbH
("Buyer").
Pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger ("Merger Agreement"),
by and among the Company, Buyer, Holly Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware
corporation and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Buyer ("Merger
Sub"), and NuCom, solely for the purpose of guaranteeing Buyer's
obligations under the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub shall merge with
and into the Company ("Merger").
As a result of the Merger, the separate corporate existence of
Merger Sub shall cease, the Company shall continue as the surviving
corporation in the Merger ("Surviving Corporation") and the
Surviving Corporation shall become a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Buyer. The Company recorded $3.1 million of acquisition,
restructuring and other expenses related to the Merger Agreement
during the three months ended March 31, 2020.
The Company expects the Merger to close in the second half of 2020,
subject to the satisfaction of all closing conditions.
Since April 6, 2020, three putative class actions, (i) Post v. The
Meet Group, Inc., et al., No. 1:20-cv-00479-LPS, (ii) Paskowitz v.
The Meet Group, Inc., et al., No. 1:20-cv-00481-LPS and (iii) Mowry
v. The Meet Group, Inc. et al., No. 2:20-cv-02092, and seven
individual actions, (i) Wang v. The Meet Group, Inc., et al., No.
1:20-cv-00475-LPS, (ii) Bayer v. The Meet Group, Inc., et al., No.
1:20-cv-02873-AKH, (iii) Gurian v. The Meet Group, Inc., et al.,
No. 1:20-cv-02855-AKH, (iv) Cole v. The Meet Group, Inc., et al.,
No. 1:20-cv-02987, (v) Justus v. The Meet Group, Inc., et al., No
2:20-cv-04314, (vi) Respler v. The Meet Group, Inc., et al., No.
3:20-cv-02841-JSC and (vii) Miles v. The Meet Group, et al., No.
1:20-cv-03301 were filed by purported stockholders of the Company
against the company and the members of the Board of the Directors.
Post, Paskowitz and Wang were filed in the U.S. District Court for
the District of Delaware; Bayer, Gurian, Cole, and Miles were filed
in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York;
Justus was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New
Jersey; Respler was filed in the U.S. District Court for the
Northern District of California; and Mowry was filed in U.S.
District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
The complaints generally allege that the company's preliminary
proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 2, 2020 or definitive
proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 22, 2020 (collectively,
"Proxy Statement") contained false or misleading statements
regarding the Merger in violation of Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of
the Exchange Act and that the Board breached its fiduciary duty of
candor/disclosure.
The specific allegations include that the Proxy Statement misstated
or omitted material information regarding the company's financial
projections, certain confidentiality agreements between the company
and potential acquirers, potential conflicts of interest, analyses
performed by the company's financial advisor and the fee payable to
the company's financial advisor in connection with the Merger.
The actions seek, among other things, to (i) enjoin the company and
the Board from proceeding with obtaining the stockholder approval
for the Merger Agreement and the Merger at the special meeting or
consummating the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement,
including the Merger; (ii) cause the company and the Board to
disseminate revised disclosures; (iii) rescind, to the extent
already implemented, the Merger Agreement; and (iv) recover any
damages suffered by the plaintiffs as a result of the false or
misleading statements or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Merger.
The Meet Group said, "We believe that the claims are without merit
and intend to vigorously defend against them."
The Meet Group, Inc. operates as a social medial technology
company. The Company offers information sharing, social
interaction, and mobile application development services. Meet
Group serves customers in the United States. The company is based
in New Hope, Pennsylvania.
MIDLAND CREDIT: Court Dismisses Galea FDCPA Suit Without Prejudice
------------------------------------------------------------------
Judge Laurie J. Michelson of the U.S. District Court for the
Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division, dismissed without
prejudice the case, SHAUNA GALEA, Plaintiff, v. MIDLAND CREDIT
MANAGEMENT INC., Defendant, Case No. 20-cv-10259 (E.D. Mich.), for
want of subject-matter jurisdiction.
Shauna Galea obtained credit from GE Capital Retail Bank R Us.
Eventually, she defaulted on the loan with $539.58 still owed.
Midland then purchased the debt. It sent a collection letter to
Galea dated Sept. 18, 2019. Printed on the mailing envelope was
"time sensitive document" in bold, capitalized font. So Galea
immediately opened the letter.
The letter said Galea owed $539.58 and offered two payment options.
Option 1 offered "40% off" the debt if paid by Oct. 18, 2019.
Option 1 was printed in larger font in an orange box. Option 2
indicated "20% off" the debt if paid in six monthly installments of
$71.94. Option 2 was also printed in large font, but in a green
box. The body of the letter concluded with "Let's put this debt
behind you. Visit MidlandCredit.com, or call (800) 282-2644, to
pay off your account and regain your financial freedom!" "At least
two inches below" the signature on the document appeared the
following: "We are not obligated to renew any offers provided."
Galea does not claim that she took any action or was otherwise
harmed as a result of receiving and reading the letter. Instead,
she alleges that the format of the letter and envelope violate the
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ("FDCPA") and thus she is
entitled to statutory damages. Galea also asserts a class action
claim, alleging that at least 40 persons in the Eastern District of
Michigan received the same collection letter from Midland. Galea
alleges that class members could have actual damages if they paid
their subject debts after receiving a collection letter in a Time
Sensitive Document Envelope.
Judge Michelson holds that it is well established that Congress
passed the FDCPA to prevent debt collectors from engaging in
abusive or unfair debt-collection practices. But in the context of
the complaint, Galea does not identify -- and the Court cannot
conceive of -- any harm that comes from the allegedly wrongful
formatting of the envelope and letter. Galea does not allege that
she did not owe the subject debt. Nor does she allege that she
took any action as a result of the letter. Her only "injury"
appears to have been being enticed into opening an envelope earlier
than she otherwise would have and having her eye drawn to orange
and green boxes.
There are also no alleged facts that support the second factor --
similarity to a common law harm -- because there is no actual
injury alleged, the Court notes.
Galea has not shown that she has suffered a harm that Congress
intended the FDCPA to prevent or that common law recognizes. So
Galea has not established that Midland's alleged procedural
violations of the FDCPA create an injury-in-fact as required to
confer Article III standing. Without standing to bring these
claims, the Court must dismiss Galea's complaint for want of
subject-matter jurisdiction.
Accordingly, Judge Michelson dismisses without prejudice the Galea
case for want of subject-matter jurisdiction.
A full-text copy of the District Court's Feb. 25, 2020 Order is
available at https://is.gd/TvvkFc from Leagle.com.
Shauna Galea, individually and on behalf of all others similarly
situated, Plaintiff, represented by James C. Vlahakis --
jvlahakis@sulaimanlaw.com -- Atlas Consumer Law a division of
Sulaiman Law Group, Ltd.
Midland Credit Management Inc, Defendant, represented by Jennifer
Lynn Pope -- jennifer.pope@dinsmore.com -- Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP.
MISSION HEALTH: Green Seeks to Recover Unpaid Overtime Wages
------------------------------------------------------------
Rebecca Green, Individually, and on behalf of herself and other
similarly situated employees v. MISSION HEALTH COMMUNITIES, LLC, a
Florida Limited Liability Company; and DICKSON OPERATOR, LLC, a
Florida Limited Liability Company, Case No. 3:20-cv-00439 (M.D.
Tenn., May 22, 2020), is brought against the Defendants to seek
damages for unpaid overtime compensation pursuant to the Fair Labor
Standards Act.
The Plaintiff was employed by and worked for the Defendants in
excess of 40 hours per week within weekly pay periods. The net
effect of the Defendants' common plan, policy, and practice of
failing to pay the Plaintiff one-and-one-half times her regular
hourly rates of pay for all hours worked over 40 within weekly pay
periods during all times material to this collective action was to
unjustly enrich themselves and enjoy ill-gained profits at the
expense of the Plaintiff, says the complaint.
The Plaintiff was employed as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
by the Defendant.
Defendant Mission Health Communities, LLC, owns and operates
multiple retirement and assisted living facilities in Tennessee,
Wisconsin, Kansas, Minnesota and Georgia, including the Dickson
Health and Rehab Center in Dickson, Tennessee.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Gordon E. Jackson, Esq.
J. Russ Bryant, Esq.
Robert E. Turner, IV, Esq.
Robert E. Morelli, III, Esq.
JACKSON, SHIELDS, YEISER, HOLT, OWEN AND BRYANT
262 German Oak Drive
Memphis, TN 38018
Phone: (901) 754-8001
Facsimile: (901) 754-8524
Email: gjackson@jsyc.com
rbryant@jsyc.com
rturner@jsyc.com
rmorelli@jsyc.com
MONSANTO CO: Court Denies Bid to Remand Brant Suit
--------------------------------------------------
In the case captioned BARBARA J. BRANT, et al., Plaintiffs, v.
MONSANTO COMPANY, Defendant, Case No. 4:18CV1030 HEA (E.D. Mo.),
Judge Henry Edward Autrey of the U.S. District Court for the
Eastern District of Missouri, Eastern Division, denied the
Plaintiffs' Motion to Remand.
On May 1, 2018, the Plaintiffs initiated the action in the Circuit
Court of St. Louis County, Missouri, asserting a design defect
claim, a failure to warn claim, a negligence claim, a wrongful
death claim, and a survival action against the Defendant. The
Plaintiffs allege that as a result of their exposure to the
Defendant's product, Roundup, they developed non-Hodgkin's
Lymphoma, resulting in their permanent and severe injury.
Respectively, the Plaintiffs allege citizenship of various states,
including Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia,
Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana,
Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina,
Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah,
Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. They allege that the
Defendant is a Delaware corporation with its headquarters and
principal place of business in Missouri.
The Defendant removed the action to the Court on June 25, 2018,
invoking jurisdiction based on the Class Action Fairness Act of
2005 ("CAFA"). In the instant motion, the Plaintiffs argue that
because the Defendant's principal place of business is Missouri,
the case should be remanded pursuant to the forum defendant rule,
28 U.S.C. Section 1441(b)(2). The Defendant opposes remand,
asserting that the forum defendant rule does not apply due to its
basis for removal, CAFA.
The Plaintiffs invoked the forum defendant rule (and only the forum
defendant rule) in support of their motion to remand. However, as
the Defendant points out, removal of the case is based on CAFA
jurisdiction, not diversity jurisdiction. Therefore, the forum
defendant rule does not apply.
Meanwhile, the Plaintiffs do not argue that the Defendant have not
adequately pleaded federal jurisdiction under CAFA. Nor do the
Defendant argue that "one of CAFA's express jurisdictional
exceptions applies," as required of a party seeking remand of a
case in which the removing party has established CAFA's
jurisdictional requirements are met.
The Plaintiffs also request that in the alternative to remand, the
Court should transfer the case to the multi district litigation
(MDL). Such a transfer is not within the purview of the Court, the
Judge says.
Accordingly, Judge Autrey denies the Plaintiffs' Motion to Remand.
A full-text copy of the District Court's Feb. 25, 2020 Opinion,
Memorandum & Order is available at https://is.gd/uO87aO from
Leagle.com.
Barbara J. Brant, by and through her representative, Robert Brant,
Robert Brant, surviving spouse of Barbara J. Brant, on behalf of
all legal heirs, Rita Watson, by and through her representative,
Robert Watson, Robert Watson, Surviving spouse of Rita Watson, on
behalf of all legal heirs, Robert Lewis-Jackson, Robert Quigg, Judy
Anderson, Brenda Monteith, Raymond Godin, by and through his
representative, Leigh Godin, Leigh Godin, surviving spouse of
Raymond Godin, on behalf of all legal heirs, Coby Murrell, Sandi
Pollard, Kenneth W. Saunstaire, Marcus L. Haynes, Charles Rayburn
Evans, by an through his representative, Ava Evans, Ava Evans,
surviving spouse of Charles Rayburn Evans, on behalf of all legal
heirs, Ryan Sharp, Gerald Parks, Jessie Stanley, Orval Frazier,
Kimberly A. Juarez, Sonya Melton-Parson, Nancy Croft, Milan Cain,
Dale Kuefler, Shelby Henry, Carolyn Fashbaugh, Thomas Smith, Jim
Williams, by and through his representative Janet Williams, Janet
Williams, surviving spouse of Jim Williams, on behalf of all legal
heirs, Bob Collins, Charles James, Doris Thomas, Dowyal Freeman,
Patrick Wellman, Andrew Lewis, by and through his representative
Kim B. Lewis, Kim B. Lewis, surviving parent of Andrew Lewis, on
behalf of all lefal heirs, Robert Wolfe, James Morse, Rodney James
Duncklee, Erma Hudson, by and through her representative Ronald
Gray, Ronald Gray, surviving heir of Erma Hudson, on behalf of all
legal heirs, Conny Phipps, Dillon Moore, Dale Jessen, Stephanie
Michnal, Cynthia Hivner, Charles Tiner, Robert Simonetti, Kenneth
Crooks, Donald Christiaens, Timothy P Meray, Karl A. Boschert, Bill
Allmon, Charles Willson, Gary Hampton, Kip Miller, Donna Baylin,
David Davis, Brent Popp, Karen Landeau, William D. Noel, Rannel
Presnell, John Mayo, Betty Hill, Myron Payne, Raymond Turner, by
and through his representative, Mary Davis, Mary Davis, surviving
heir of Raymond Turner, on behalf of all legal heirs, Robert
Easterday, Antonio Mezzanotte, Brett Molk, William Cooper, John
Badtke, Georgeanna Irwin, Joe Adams, Joyce Riedlin, Alicia
Rainwater, Ronnie Johnson, Diane Adams, Pamela Gayman, Simuel
McLaughlin, Anthony Abril, John Berry, John Deneau, Larry Cameron,
Tina Knight, Bobby Tatum, Stephen Keile, Janet Curtis, Kenneth P.
Nowatzke, by and through his representative, Tedra Englebright,
Phyllis Nowatzke, suriving heir of Adam Englebright, on behalf of
all legal heirs, Lucy Napier, Patricia A. Goldman, Kathleen
Benjamin, Tonya Lyons, Ruben Pena, by and through his
representative Valerie Pena, Tedra Englebright, Ann Jones, Larry
Goodman, James Johnson, Carol Paulsen, Robert A Pashko, Willie
Dailey, Russel Carter, Caroline Herring, Olin Bruse, David
Sandretto, Gary Kreye & Valerie Pena, surviving spouse of Ruben
Pena on behalf of all legal heirs, Plaintiffs, represented by
Christopher L. Schnieders , NAPOLI SHKOLNIK PLLC.
Monsanto Company, Defendant, represented by Christine F. Miller --
chris.miller@huschblackwell.com -- HUSCH BLACKWELL, LLP & Gregory
S. Chernack -- gchernack@hollingsworthllp.com -- HOLLINGSWORTH,
L.L.P.
MUTUAL OF OMAHA: Baesel Sues Over Auto-dialed Telemarketing Calls
-----------------------------------------------------------------
David Baesel, individually and on behalf of all others similarly
situated, Plaintiff, v. Mutual of Omaha Mortgage, Inc., Defendant,
Case No. 20-cv-00886 (S.D. Cal., May 12, 2020), seeks injunctive
relief, statutory damages and any other available legal or
equitable remedies resulting from violations of the Telephone
Consumer Protection Act.
Mutual of Omaha provides consumers with mortgage loans and offers
mortgage refinancing to consumers. Part of its marketing plan
includes dialing in pre-recorded sales calls to consumers' phone
numbers without obtaining their prior express written consent.
Baesel did not give his express consent to be contacted in this
manner. He is registered on the National Do-Not-Call registry,
notes the complaint. [BN]
Baesel is represented by:
Amanda F. Benedict, Esq.
LAW OFFICE OF AMANDA F. BENEDICT
7710 Hazard Center Dr. Ste E-104
San Diego, CA 92108
Telephone: (760) 822-1911
Facsimile: (760) 452-7560
Email: amanda@amandabenedict.com
NATIONWIDE MUTUAL: Court Certifies Subclasses in Mostajo Labor Suit
-------------------------------------------------------------------
In the case, ANTHONY MARC MOSTAJO, and ELAINE QUEDENS, on behalf of
themselves and all others similarly situated, Plaintiffs, v.
NATIONWIDE MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY, and Does 1 through 50,
inclusive, Defendants, Case No. 2:17-cv-00350 JAM-AC (E.D. Cal.),
Judge John A. Mendez of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern
District of California granted the Plaintiffs' Motion for Class
Certification, And Approval Of Class Notice, Appointment Of Class
Representatives, Class Counsel, And Claims Administrator.
Upon review, Judge Mendez granted class certification of the claims
in the case seeking compensation for unpaid overtime and unpaid
accrued vacation time.
The proposed subclasses are certified:
(a) a class of persons employed by Nationwide as commercial
lines claims adjusters in California in the four years
preceding the original date of filing the lawsuit to the
present; and
(b) all former California employees employed by Nationwide in
the four years preceding the original date of filing this
lawsuit to the present who accrued vacation time for which
Nationwide did not pay them.
Plaintiffs Anthony Marc Mostajo and Elaine Quedens are designated
and appointed as the representatives for the Class; the firm of
Workman Law Firm, PC is designated and appointed as the Class
Counsel; and RG/2 Claims Administration, LLC as claims
administrator.
The notice of the action will be given by RG/2 to all Class Members
in the form submitted by the Plaintiff. RG/2 will send out the
notice upon receipt of the contact information for the class from
the Defendants.
The Defendants will provide RG/2 and the Class Counsel with the
names, last known email addresses, home addresses, telephone
numbers, and social security numbers, of the Class Members within
30 days of the date of the Order.
The Defendants are refrain from engaging in any ex parte
communications with the Class Members regarding issues of the
lawsuit without the permission of the Court. The Defendants are
not prevented from engaging in conversations occurring in the
normal course of business with the Class Members.
A full-text copy of the District Court's Feb. 25, 2020 Order is
available at https://is.gd/wnnlel from Leagle.com.
Anthony Marc Mostajo & Elaine Quedens, Plaintiffs, represented by
Robin G. Workman, Workman Law Firm, PC & Rachel Elizabeth Davey ,
Workman Law Firm PC.
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, Defendant, represented by
Amardeep K. Bharj, Epstein Becker & Green, P.C., pro hac vice,
Daniel W. Srsic, Littler Mendelson, PC, pro hac vice, James J. Oh,
Epstein Becker & Green, P.C., pro hac vice, Kathleen A. Barrett,
Epstein Becker & Green, P.C., pro hac vice, Paul Patrick DeCamp --
PDeCamp@ebglaw.com -- Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. & Steven Ralph
Blackburn -- sblackburn@ebglaw.com -- Epstein Becker & Green P.C.
NESTLE USA: Candies in Opaque Box Have False Labels, Iglesia Says
-----------------------------------------------------------------
REGAN IGLESIA, LARRY FERTEL, NOSSON CHAIM ROSENBERG, SORAYA YD,
SUZANNE TATKOW, JAIME MAXWELL, LAUREN DEBELISO, MEREDITH BARTER,
and PATRICK FERGUSON, individually and on behalf of all others
similarly situated v. NESTLE USA, INC., a Virginia Corporation; and
FERRARA CANDY COMPANY, an Illinois Corporation, Case No.
3:20-cv-05971 (D.N.J., May 16, 2020), is brought under the New
Jersey Consumer Fraud Act against the Defendants in connection with
the false, deceptive, unfair, unlawful, and fraudulent advertising
and labeling of opaque theater box candy products.
The Products include Raisinets (TM), Butterfinger Bites (TM),
Gobstopper (TM), Tollhouse (TM), Nerds (TM), Buncha Crunch (TM),
Runts (TM), Sno Caps (TM), Spree (TM), and Sweetarts (TM).
The Plaintiffs contend that to increase profits, at the expense of
consumers and fair competition, Nestle pioneered a scheme to
deceptively sell candy in oversized, opaque boxes that do not
reasonably inform consumers that they are half empty. The
Plaintiffs aver that they and the Class Members have, accordingly,
suffered injury in fact caused by the Defendants' deceptive,
unlawful, and misleading practices, and seek injunctive relief, as
well compensatory damages, statutory damages, and restitutionary
damages.
The Defendants are the owners, manufacturers, distributors,
advertisers, and sellers of the Products, and are the companies
that created and/or authorized the false, misleading, and deceptive
advertisements and/or packaging and labeling for the Product.[BN]
The Plaintiffs are represented by:
Ryan J. Clarkson, Esq.
Matthew T. Theriault, Esq.
Bahar Sodaify, Esq.
Zach Chrzan, Esq.
CLARKSON LAW FIRM, P.C.
9255 Sunset Blvd., Suite 804
Los Angeles, CA 90069
Telephone: (213) 788-4050
Facsimile: (213) 788-4070
E-mail: rclarkson@clarksonlawfirm.com
mtheriault@clarksonlawfirm.com
bsodaify@clarksonlawfirm.com
zchrzan@clarksonlawfirm.com
- and -
James C. Shah, Esq.
SHEPHERD, FINKELMAN, MILLER & SHAH, LLP
475 White Horse Pike
Collingswood, NJ 08107
Telephone: (856) 858-1770
Facsimile: (860) 300-7367
E-mail: jshah@sfmslaw.com
NEW YORK: Fails to Provide Timely Insurance Benefits, Islam Says
----------------------------------------------------------------
MD Islam, Doh Ouattara, a/k/a Seydou Ouattara, Abdul Rumon, and
Harnek Singh, and New York Taxi Workers Alliance, and similarly
situated individuals v. THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR,
ANDREW CUOMO, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, and ROBERTA
REARDON, as COMMISSIONER OF LABOR, Case No. 1:20-cv-02328-LDH-CLP
(E.D.N.Y., May 25, 2020), is brought to challenge the New York
State Department of Labor's failure to provide unemployment
insurance benefits to the Plaintiffs and all former drivers for
Uber, Lyft, and other app-based For-Hire Vehicle service employers
in a timely manner, as the DOL does for employees of other
companies determined to be employers by New York State.
The DOL's failure to do so in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic,
when the difference between receiving UI benefits in two weeks
rather than two months can determine whether an unemployed New
Yorker can put food on the table, is devastating to thousands of
drivers and their families, the overwhelming majority of whom are
immigrants, according to the complaint. The DOL's inaction flies in
the face of settled law. In 2018, the New York State Unemployment
Insurance Appeal Board ("UIAB") determined three Uber drivers and
"any other individuals similarly employed as a driver" to be
employees under the UI law ("The Uber UIAB Decision").
According to the complaint, in spite of these final determinations,
the DOL has made no changes to the way it processes app-based
drivers' applications for UI benefits. The DOL has continued to
treat app-based drivers' applications for benefits as though they
are independent contractors, placing the burden on drivers to prove
their earnings and employment status. As the DOL has not required
app-based car service companies to supply their earnings data,
drivers' benefit rates cannot be determined, delaying the delivery
of benefits to drivers by months. The Defendants' actions deny the
Plaintiffs the right to UI benefits in violation of Title III of
the Social Security Act of 1935, and the United States
Constitution.
The Plaintiffs seek an order prohibiting the Defendants from
misclassifying app-based drivers as independent contractors and
issuing incorrect $0 Monetary Benefit Determination (MBD) to all
app-based drivers, in defiance of settled precedent; enjoining
Defendants to immediately pay benefits to the Plaintiffs and all
app-based drivers in compliance with these statutes and in
accordance with UIAB and New York State precedent; enjoining the
Defendants to begin requiring Uber, Lyft and other app-based FHV
employers to provide driver earnings data to New York State; and
declaring that the Defendants' actions in failing to pay UI
benefits to the Plaintiffs and all app-based FHV driver claimants
in New York State, in accordance with settled precedent, violate
Title III of the Social Security Act of 1935, and the Equal
Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
The Plaintiffs' primary job duty was to drive black car customers
from a pick-up point to a drop-off point in the City of New York
and the surrounding areas.
New York State Department of Labor (DOL) is a department of the
State of New York existing pursuant to Chapter 31 of the laws of
the State of New York.[BN]
The Plaintiffs are represented by:
Nicole Salk, Esq.
BROOKLYN LEGAL SERVICES
105 Court Street, 3rd floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: (718) 237-5544
- and -
Zubin Soleimany, Esq.
NEW YORK TAXI WORKERS ALLIANCE
31-10 37th Ave., Ste. 300
Long Island City, NY 11101
Phone: (718) 706-9892
NEW YORK: Governor's EO Violates Civil Rights, Omnistone Alleges
----------------------------------------------------------------
OMNISTONE CORP. and SANDRO MANNARINO, On behalf of themselves and
all others similarly situated v. ANDREW CUOMO, in his personal and
official capacity as Governor of The State of New York, NEW YORK
STATE and NASSAU COUNTY, Case No. 2:20-cv-02153-GRB-SIL (E.D.N.Y.,
May 12, 2020), is brought under the Constitution of the United
States of America as applied to the States via the Fourteenth
Amendment for civil rights violations suffered by the Plaintiffs
due to the actions of the Defendants.
As a result of the Coronavirus, New York State's Governor Cuomo
issued forth Executive Order 202 on March 7, 2020. This EO has been
has been extended multiple times and resulted in a total of 31
related Executive Orders being issued by Governor Cuomo. The
primary EOs at issue in this action are 202.6 and 202.8, which had
the effect of unilaterally shutting down businesses throughout New
York States. EO 202.6 has been superseded by EO 202.8.
The EO has been since extended and continued to date. The Plaintiff
alleges that the EO is a violation of substantive due process,
procedural due process; violates the contract clause contained
within article i, section 10, clause 1 of the united states
constitution; violates the commerce clause contained within article
1, section 8, clause 3 of the United States Constitution; and (e)
constitutes a regulatory taking in violation of the Fifth
Amendment.
As a direct result of the EO, all forms of business across New York
State are being forcibly closed, by a unilateral act of Governor
Cuomo. There has been no appeal process and no due process for
these businesses, including the Plaintiffs' business, says the
complaint.
The Plaintiffs are in the business of cutting, shaping, and
installing stone countertops, floors, and the like for both
residential and commercial use.
Andrew Cuomo is the current Governor of the State of New York and
the individual, who has signed and caused to be enacted the EOs at
issue in this case. Gov. Cuomo is being sued in both his official
and personal capacity for the willful disregard of the rights
enshrined within the Constitution.
New York State is the State of New York. Nassau County is a county
and governing body located within Long Island, New York.[BN]
The Plaintiffs are represented by:
Jacob Z. Weinstein, Esq.
Israel D. Weinstein, Esq.
WEINSTEIN & WEINSTEIN, LLP
68-15 Main Street, 2nd Floor
Flushing, NY 11367
Telephone: (646) 450-3484
Facsimile: (646) 774-0368
E-mail: Jacob@WeinsteinLLP.com
NISOURCE INC: Settlement in Greater Lawrence Suit Granted Final OK
------------------------------------------------------------------
NiSource Inc. said in its Form 10-Q Report filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 2020, for the
quarterly period ended March 31, 2020, that the court overseeing
the consolidated class action suit related to the Greater Lawrence
Incident has granted final approval of the parties' settlement.
On September 13, 2018, a series of fires and explosions occurred in
Lawrence, Andover and North Andover, Massachusetts related to the
delivery of natural gas by Columbia of Massachusetts (the "Greater
Lawrence Incident"). The Greater Lawrence Incident resulted in one
fatality and a number of injuries, damaged multiple homes and
businesses, and caused the temporary evacuation of significant
portions of each municipality.
Various lawsuits, including several purported class action
lawsuits, have been filed by various affected residents or
businesses in Massachusetts state courts against the Company and/or
Columbia of Massachusetts in connection with the Greater Lawrence
Incident.
A special judge has been appointed to hear all pending and future
cases and the class actions have been consolidated into one class
action.
On January 14, 2019, the special judge granted the parties' joint
motion to stay all cases until April 30, 2019 to allow mediation,
and the parties subsequently agreed to extend the stay until July
25, 2019.
The class action lawsuits allege varying causes of action,
including those for strict liability for ultra-hazardous activity,
negligence, private nuisance, public nuisance, premises liability,
trespass, breach of warranty, breach of contract, failure to warn,
unjust enrichment, consumer protection act claims, negligent,
reckless and intentional infliction of emotional distress and gross
negligence, and seek actual compensatory damages, plus treble
damages, and punitive damages.
On July 26, 2019, the Company, Columbia of Massachusetts and
NiSource Corporate Services Company, a subsidiary of the Company,
entered into a term sheet with the class action plaintiffs under
which they agreed to settle the class action claims in connection
with the Greater Lawrence Incident.
Columbia of Massachusetts agreed to pay $143 million into a
settlement fund to compensate the settlement class and the
settlement class agreed to release Columbia of Massachusetts and
affiliates from all claims arising out of or related to the Greater
Lawrence Incident.
The following claims are not covered under the proposed settlement
because they are not part of the consolidated class action: (1)
physical bodily injury and wrongful death; (2) insurance
subrogation, whether equitable, contractual or otherwise; and (3)
claims arising out of appliances that are subject to the
Massachusetts DPU orders. Emotional distress and similar claims are
covered under the proposed settlement unless they are secondary to
a physical bodily injury.
The settlement class is defined under the term sheet as all persons
and businesses in the three municipalities of Lawrence, Andover and
North Andover, Massachusetts, subject to certain limited
exceptions.
The motion for preliminary approval and the settlement documents
were filed on September 25, 2019. The preliminary approval court
hearing was held on October 7, 2019 and the court issued an order
granting preliminary approval of the settlement on October 11,
2019. The Court granted final approval of the settlement on March
12, 2020.
NiSource Inc., an energy holding company, operates as a regulated
natural gas and electric utility company in the United States. The
company operates in two segments, Gas Distribution Operations and
Electric Operations. NiSource Inc. was founded in 1912 and is
headquartered in Merrillville, Indiana.
PACE ENCLOSURES: Hernandez Sues Over Unpaid Overtime Wages
----------------------------------------------------------
Honorio Hernandez, and other similarly situated individuals v. PACE
ENCLOSURES, INC., LUIS G. GIRALDO and ENERSON MAGRINI,
individually, Case No. 2:20-cv-00378 (M.D. Fla., May 25, 2020), is
brought to recover money damages for unpaid overtime wages under
the Fair Labor Standards Act.
According to the complaint, the Plaintiff worked more than 40 hours
every week period and he was paid the same salary regardless of the
number of hours paid. Plaintiff was not paid for overtime hours.
The Plaintiff clocked in and out, and the Defendants were able to
keep track of the time worked by the Plaintiff and other similarly
situated individuals. Therefore, the Defendants willfully failed to
pay the Plaintiff for all his overtime hours at the rate of time
and one-half his regular rate for every hour that he worked in
excess of 40, in violation of the FLSA.
The Plaintiff was employed by the Defendants as a non-exempted,
full-time, screen enclosures technician from January 3, 2012,
through May 15, 2020.
Pace Enclosures is a construction company specialized in the screen
enclosures business.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Zandro E. Palma, Esq.
ZANDRO E. PALMA, P.A.
9100 S. Dadeland Blvd., Suite 1500
Miami, FL 33156
Phone: (305) 446-1500
Facsimile: (305) 446-1502
Email: zep@thepalmalawgroup.com
PEAK SYSTEMS: Gore Suit Seeks Unpaid Overtime Wages Under FLSA
--------------------------------------------------------------
MARTIN GORE, ON BEHALF OF HIMSELF AND OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED v.
PEAK SYSTEMS, INC., Case No. 1:20-cv-03771 (S.D.N.Y., May 15,
2020), seeks to recover unpaid overtime wages and other damages
under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
According to the complaint, PSI has an overtime pay problem. PSI
pays its employees, including Martin Gore, at the same rate for
both regular hours and overtime hours. The Plaintiff contends that
in the week ending September 30, 2018, he worked 59 hours in
Illinois, all paid at $51 per hour for a total of $3,009.
PSI employed Gore as an hourly senior project manager in several
states, including California, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, and
Texas.
PSI is an employment agency headquartered in New York City that
specializes in placing IT, accounting, auditing, tax information,
and marketing workers for its clients.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Michael K. Burke, Esq.
Richard J. (Rex) Burch, Esq.
David I. Moulton, Esq.
BRUCKNER BURCH PLLC
8 Greenway Plaza, Ste. 1500
Houston, TX 77046
Telephone: (713) 877-8788
Telecopier: (713) 877-8065
E-mail: rburch@brucknerburch.com
dmoulton@brucknerburch.com
- and -
D. Maimon Kirschenbaum, Esq.
JOSEPH & KIRSCHENBAUM LLP
32 Broadway, Suite 601
New York, NY 10004
Telephone: (212) 688-5640
Facsimile: (212) 688-2548
- and -
Michael A. Josephson, Esq.
Andrew W. Dunlap, Esq.
JOSEPHSON DUNLAP LAW FIRM
11 Greenway Plaza, Ste. 3050
Houston, TX 77046
E-mail: mjosephson@mybackwages.com
adunlap@mybackwages.com
PENNSYLVANIA SECU: Skoczen Sues Over Unfair NSF Fees Collection
---------------------------------------------------------------
Matthew Skoczen, on behalf of himself and all other similarly
situated v. PENNSYLVANIA STATE EMPLOYEES CREDIT UNION, Case No.
200501623 (Pa. Com. Pleas, Philadelphia Cty., May 26, 2020), arises
from the Defendant's unfair and unconscionable assessment and
collection of multiple "insufficient funds fees" on the same item
or payment.
Besides being deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable, this practice
breaches contract promises made in PSECU's adhesion contracts,
according to the complaint. The Plaintiff and other PSECU customers
have been injured by PSECU's practices. PSECU's Account Documents
indicate that only a single NSF Fee will be charged for however
many times a request for payment is reprocessed. An electronic item
reprocessed after an initial return for insufficient funds cannot
and does not fairly become a new, unique "payment" for NSF fee
assessment purposes.
According to the complaint, PSECU breaches its contract when it
charges more than one NSF Fee on the same payment, since the
contract states--and reasonable consumers understand--that the same
payment can only incur a single NSF Fee. PSECU also breaches its
duty of good faith and fair dealing when it charges multiple NSF
Fees on a single payment. This practice not only violates PSECU's
contracts and the covenant of good faith and fair dealing but is
also unfair and deceptive under the consumer protection law of
Pennsylvania.
The Plaintiff has a personal checking account with PSECU, which is
governed by the Account Documents.
PSECU is one of the largest credit unions in Pennsylvania and is
headquartered in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Stewart L. Cohen, Esq.
Eric S. Pasternack, Esq.
COHEN, PLACITELLA & ROTH, P.C.
Two Commerce Square, Suite 2900
2001 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: 215-567-3500
Email: scohen@cprlaw.com
epasternack@cprlaw.com
- and -
Jeffrey Kaliel, Esq.
Sophia Gold, Esq.
KALIEL PLLC
1875 Connecticut Avenue NW, 10th Floor
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: (202) 350-4783
Facsimile: (202) 871-8180
Email: jkaliel@kalielpllc.com
sgold@kalielpllc.com
- and -
Kelly Hyman, Esq.
THE HYMAN LAW FIRM, P.A.
2881 East Oakland Park Blvd., Suite 216
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306
Phone: (954) 315-1780
Email: keyyhyman@thehymanlawfirm.com
PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY: Ramey Wants Tuition & Fees Refund
----------------------------------------------------------------
Benjamin Ramey, on behalf of himself and all others similarly
situated v. THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, Case No.
2:20-cv-00753-RJC (W.D. Pa., May 26, 2020), seeks the University's
disgorgement and return of the pro-rated portion of its tuition and
mandatory fee, proportionate to the amount of time that remained in
the Spring Semester 2020 when the University closed and switched to
online distance learning.
The University has not refunded any amount of the tuition or any of
the Mandatory Fee, even though it has implemented online distance
learning starting on March 16, 2020, according to the complaint. On
March 16, 2020, the University also stopped providing any of the
services or facilities the Mandatory Fee was intended to cover
because of the University's response to the Coronavirus Disease
2019. The University's failure to provide the services for which
tuition and the Mandatory Fee were intended to cover since
approximately March 16, 2020 is a breach of the contracts between
the University and the Plaintiff and the members of the Class and
is unjust.
In short, the Plaintiff says, he and the members of the Class have
paid for tuition for a first-rate education and an on-campus, in
person educational experience, with all the appurtenant benefits
offered by a first-rate university, and were provided a materially
deficient and insufficient alternative, which alternative
constitutes a breach of the contracts entered into by the Plaintiff
and the Class with the University.
If the Plaintiff and members of the Class wanted to take online
classes rather than in-person classes with the University, they
could have enrolled with Penn State World Campus Online, according
to the complaint. As to the Mandatory Fee, the Plaintiff and the
Class have paid fees for services and facilities, which are simply
not being provided; this failure also constitutes a breach of the
contracts entered into by Plaintiff and the Class with the
University, says the complaint.
The Plaintiff paid to attend the Spring 2020 semester at the
University as a full-time undergraduate student at the University's
Behrend campus located in Erie, Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania State University, is one of the nation's largest
public research university's with twenty campuses located
throughout the state of Pennsylvania, as well as an online World
Campus.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Gary F. Lynch, Esq.
Edward W. Ciolko, Esq.
Kelly K. Iverson, Esq.
James P. McGraw, Esq.
CARLSON LYNCH LLP
1133 Penn Avenue, 5th Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: (412) 322-9243
Fax: (412) 231-0246
Email: glynch@carlsonlynch.com
eciolko@carlsonlynch.com
kiverson@carlsonlynch.com
jmcgraw@carlsonlynch.com
PENNSYLVANIA: Department of Health Faces Class Action
-----------------------------------------------------
WPXI.com reports that a class action lawsuit has been filed in
Beaver County, accusing the Pennsylvania Department of Health of
stopping proper inspections of "long-term care facilities" in the
state.
The lawsuit was filed by the daughter of a resident of Brighton
Rehabilitation & Wellness Center, which has been a hot spot for
COVID-19 cases in the area -- especially regarding care
facilities.
According to the lawsuit, safety inspections -- which are required
by law -- have "come nearly to a halt, thereby putting all of the
residents . . . at risk for contracting the coronavirus."
"Our investigation shows that the Department of Health is not
performing legally mandated inspections, including an inspection in
relation to a complaint made by Ms. Gill," said Bob Daley, attorney
for Robert Peirce and Associates, in a release. "We are filing this
suit to get a court ordered injunction requiring the state to
conduct these mandatory inspections." [GN]
PG&E: Class Action Partially Funded by Wall Street Firms
--------------------------------------------------------
Litigation Finance Journal asks, is it ethically sound for an
attorney in a large class-action suit to accept third-party funding
from a Wall Street firm he's negotiating against? The arrangement
is certainly raising eyebrows in legal circles, as the survivors of
the Northern California fires seek remuneration from PG&E -- now
going through bankruptcy.
As KQED details, Apollo Global Management and Centerbridge
Partners, two prominent funders, have provided funds for the
massive class action. Third-party funding in cases of this size is
increasingly common, as it tends to be lengthy and expensive to
litigate. Mikal Watts of Texas-based firm Watts Guerra LLP, was
quoted in December as saying that he 'realized' that his credit
line now included the private equity firms.
As recently as late last year, Centerbridge and Apollo were
competing with each other to reach an agreement with the Watts
group of about 16,000 fire survivors. Ultimately, Watts chose the
deal that included input from Centerbridge among others.
Centerbridge Partners stands to realize a large payout following
the conclusion of PG&E's bankruptcy proceedings., as they have
purchased nearly $200 million in insurance claims against PG&E.
As of now, almost 13,000 of Watt's clients have voted to accept the
deal since voting began on April 1. Voting concludes on May 15th.
Apollo Global Management did make an offer of its own. Lawyers
soundly rejected it.
Watts helped negotiate the sizable deal last December, which gives
$13.5 billion to survivors. He denies any suggestion of impropriety
or undue influence, explaining that the credit itself was managed
by Stifel -- a Missouri-based investment firm. Stifel manages the
funding as they see fit, with no requirement to inform legal
counsel of who the funders are.
When approached for comment by KQED, Apollo Global, Centerbridge,
and Stifel all declined to comment. PG&E anticipates wrapping up
bankruptcy proceedings before June 30th. [GN]
PHH MORTGAGE: Dunn Sues in New Jersey Alleging Violation of TILA
----------------------------------------------------------------
A class action lawsuit has been filed against PHH Mortgage
Corporation. The case is captioned as DONALD DUNN and NICOLE DUNN,
on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated v. PHH
MORTGAGE CORPORATION doing business as: PHH MORTGAGE SERVICES, Case
No. 1:20-cv-05848-RBK-KMW (D.N.J., May 13, 2020).
The case is assigned to the Hon. Judge Robert B. Kugler.
The lawsuit alleges violation of the Truth in Lending Act.
PHH provides mortgage financing solutions.[BN]
The Plaintiffs are represented by:
Jeffrey W. Herrmann, Esq.
COHN, LIFLAND, PEARLMAN, HERRMANN & KNOPF, LLC
Park 80 West Plaza One
250 Pehle Avenue, Suite 401
Saddlebrook, NJ 07663
Telephone: (201) 845-9600
Facsimile: (201) 845-9423
E-mail: jwh@njlawfirm.com
PRIMERICA CLIENT: Faces Naveja Employment Suit in California
------------------------------------------------------------
A class action lawsuit has been filed against Primerica Client
Services Inc., et al. The case is captioned as Maria Naveja, On
behalf of other members of the general public similarly situated v.
Primerica Client Services Inc., a Delaware corporation; Primerica
Financial Services, a Nevada limited liability company; Primerica
Inc., a Delaware corporation; Primerica Life Insurance Company, a
Tennessee corporation; and Does 1-100, Case No.
34-2020-00278651-CU-OE-GDS (Cal. Super., Sacramento Cty., May 13,
2020).
The lawsuit alleges violation of employment-related laws.
Primerica is a United States-based multi-level marketing company
that sells insurance and financial services.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Douglas Han, Esq.
JUSTICE LAW CORPORATION
751 N Fair Oaks Ave., Ste. 101
Pasadena, CA 91103-3069
Telephone: (818) 230-7502
Facsimile: (818) 230-7259
E-mail: dhan@justicelawcorp.com
RESPONSIVE GROUP: Faces Pandemic Care Class Action
--------------------------------------------------
Jennifer Bieman, writing for The London Free Press, reports that
two Southwestern Ontario nursing homes are named in a proposed
$15-million class-action lawsuit alleging the privately-owned homes
failed to provide adequate care to vulnerable residents during the
COVID-19 pandemic.
The action alleges Responsive Group Inc., a Markham-based company
that manages, runs and advises multiple private long-term care and
retirement homes in the province, breached their contract by
failing to provide adequate care and safety to residents as the
COVID-19 pandemic unfolded.
The proposed class action, filed on April 24 in Toronto, identifies
six homes linked to Responsive Group and its subsidiaries: three in
Toronto; one in Mississauga; Earls Court Village in London; and
Anson Place Care Centre in Hagersville, a 101-bed retirement and
long-term care home where 27 residents have died from the pandemic
virus.
The representative plaintiff in the action, Mike McCarroll, is the
son of Anson Place resident Ruby McCarroll, 95, who died of
COVID-19 March 30.
"It's a small community here. There's just a great sense of loss.
Everybody's story is a bit different, but the common denominator is
the same," he said.
"It's not about me, it's about all the families that have been
impacted and trying to hold the corporation responsible and making
sure that this doesn't happen again."
In the statement of claim, the plaintiffs are seeking a declaration
Responsive Group breached their duties of care by failing to ensure
adequate staffing, failing to properly plan for and respond to the
pandemic and failing to comply with public health guidance and
directives.
By April 24, there had been at least 71 deaths related to
coronavirus outbreaks in the six homes, the statement of claim
alleges.
None of the allegations contained in the statement of claim have
been tested in court.
The plaintiffs are seeking punitive and exemplary damages of $15
million, the statement of claim said.
The Middlesex-London Health Unit first declared a COVID-19 outbreak
at Earls Court Village nursing home April 4, a facility-wide
designation that remains in place. Earls Court is managed by
Responsive Health Management Inc., a subsidiary of Responsive
Group.
The home is one of seven long-term care and retirement homes in
London and Middlesex County with active outbreaks.
The licensee for Anson Place Care Centre is Rykka Care Centres, an
operating partner of Responsive Health Management.
In a statement, Responsive Group Inc. said it recognizes the right
of the public to pursue litigation.
"In due course, we will identify legal counsel, review the
information provided and prepare our responses," the company said
in a statement.
"We will continue to work closely with government, public health
units and our other health-care partners to accelerate testing,
initiate outbreak protocols and comply with all directives."
Requests for comment from Anson Place Care Centre and Sharon
Village Care Homes, the licencee/owner of Earls Court, were not
returned on April 27.
The action, which must be certified by a judge to proceed as a
class-action lawsuit, is being led by Toronto-based law firm Tyr
LLP.
"The purpose of the class action is to get some answers for those
who have lost loved ones in one of these homes or who currently
have family members within these homes who are suffering," said
lawyer Pinta Maguire, head of Tyr LLP's medical malpractice group.
"Long-term care facilities are taking care of the most vulnerable
members of society, our elderly, our parents and grandparents. We
really hope that this will bring about some positive change for the
industry."
More than 70,000 people live in Ontario's more than 600 long-term
care homes. Provincial public health officials reported COVID-19
outbreaks in 150 homes on April 27.
Of the province's 892 COVID-19 deaths, as many as 671 are long-term
care residents.
In London and Middlesex County, 17 of 32 COVID-19 deaths are
residents of retirement homes or long-term care.
The proposed class action comes as Ontario's patient ombudsman
appeals to the public for whistleblower complaints about the
long-term care sector's response to COVID-19 from staff, family
members, caregivers and residents.
Anyone with information about COVID-19 issues in Ontario's
long-term care homes is urged to file a complaint at
www.patientombudsman.ca or call 1-888-321-0339. [GN]
SANTA ANA: Resendiz Sues Over Wages, Rest/Meal Breaks Violations
----------------------------------------------------------------
HERMINIO RESENDIZ, individually and on behalf of all others
similarly situated, Plaintiff v. SANTA ANA ELKS LODGE-794-BPOE;
BENEVOLENT & PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS OF THE USA; and DOES 1
through 10, Defendants, Case No. 8:20-cv-00990 (C.D. Cal., May 28,
2020) is a class action against the Defendants for violations of
the Fair Labor Standards Act, applicable Industrial Welfare
Commission Wage Orders, Code of Regulations, and California Labor
Codes.
The Plaintiff, on behalf of himself and all others
similarly-situated non-exempt employees, alleges that the
Defendants wrongfully misclassified him and Class members as exempt
and as a result the Defendants failed to pay them for all hours
worked, including appropriate minimum wage, overtime and double
time wages, and also failed to provide rest breaks and compliant
meal breaks.
The Plaintiff was employed by the Defendants as a cook from on/in
around 1980 through on/in around May 28, 2019 at the Defendants'
Santa Ana, California location.
Santa Ana Elks Lodge-794-BPOE is a fraternal organization that
provides community activities and services in California.
Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks of the USA is a fraternal
organization that provides community activities and services. [BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Kevin Mahoney, Esq.
MAHONEY LAW GROUP, APC
249 E. Ocean Blvd., Ste. 814
Long Beach, CA 90802
Telephone: (562) 590-5550
Facsimile: (562) 590-8400
E-mail: kmahoney@mahoney-law.net
- and –
Justin Lo, Esq.
LAW OFFICES OF JUSTIN LO
22939 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite 202
Torrance, CA 90505
Telephone: (424) 355-8335
E-mail: justin@worklawyers.com
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC: Turner Sues Over Breach of Fiduciary Duties
---------------------------------------------------------------
David Turner, Bickey Dhakal, Lisa Duda, Terry Schiazza, Jason
Hensel, Angela Blackwell, and Antonia Freeman (nee Antonia Cabal),
individually and as representatives of a class of participants and
beneficiaries on behalf of the Schneider Electric 401(k) Plan v.
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC., THE SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC HOLDINGS,
INC. BENEFITS COMMITTEE, THE SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE, AON HEWITT INVESTMENT CONSULTING, INC. (NKA
AON INVESTMENTS USA, INC.), AND JOHN DOES 1–14, Case No.
1:20-cv-11006 (D. Mass., May 26, 2020), is brought against the
Defendants for breach of fiduciary duties and for causing the Plan
to enter into prohibited transactions under the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act.
The marketplace for retirement plan services is established and
competitive. Multi-billion dollar defined contribution plans, like
the Plan, have tremendous bargaining power to obtain high quality,
low-cost administrative, managed account, and investment management
services. As fiduciaries to the Plan, the Plaintiffs say, the
Defendants are obligated to act for the exclusive benefit of Plan
participants and beneficiaries and to ensure that Plan expenses are
reasonable, and the Plan's investments are prudent. These duties
are the "highest known to the law," and must be discharged with "an
eye single to the interests of the participants and
beneficiaries."
Instead of acting in the exclusive best interest of participants,
the Schneider Electric Defendants and Aon Hewitt selected and
retained proprietary Aon Hewitt collective investment trusts that
only benefitted Aon Hewitt, including investing over $3 billion of
Plan participants' retirement savings in the newly created and
untested Aon Hewitt Index Retirement Solution target date funds,
the Plaintiffs allege. The Plaintiffs add that instead of using the
Plan's bargaining power to benefit participants and beneficiaries,
the Schneider Electric Defendants also caused unreasonable expenses
to be charged to the Plan and participants for recordkeeping,
investment management, and managed account services.
To remedy these breaches of duty, the Plaintiffs, individually and
as representatives of a class of participants and beneficiaries of
the Plan, bring this action on behalf of the Plan to enforce the
Defendants' personal liability to make good to the Plan all losses
resulting from each breach of fiduciary duty and to restore to the
Plan profits made through the Defendants' use of Plan assets. In
addition, the Plaintiffs seek equitable or remedial relief for the
Plan as the Court may deem appropriate, says the complaint.
The Plaintiffs are former employees of Schneider Electric and are
participants of the Plan.
Schneider Electric is the Plan Sponsor and is a Delaware
corporation and wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Schneider
Electric SA, a French limited liability company headquartered in
Rueil-Malmaison, France.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Robert T. Naumes, Esq.
Christopher Naumes, Esq.
NAUMES LAW GROUP
2 Granite Ave., #425
Milton, MA 02186
Phone: 617-227-8444
Fax: 617-696-2437
Email: robert@naumeslaw.com
christopher@naumeslaw.com
- and -
Jerome J. Schlichter, Esq.
Michael A. Wolff, Esq.
Heather Lea, Esq.
Sean E. Soyars, Esq.
Kurt C. Struckhoff, Esq.
SCHLICHTER BOGARD & DENTON LLP
100 South Fourth Street, Suite 1200
St. Louis, MO, 63102
Phone: (314) 621-6115
Fax: (314) 621-5934
Email: jschlichter@uselaws.com
mwolff@uselaws.com
hlea@uselaws.com
ssoyars@uselaws.com
kstruckhoff@uselaws.com
SNL MEAT AND PRODUCE: Toc Sues Over Failure to Pay Overtime Wages
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Enrique Toc, on behalf of himself and others similarly situated v.
SNL MEAT AND PRODUCE CORP. d/b/a KEY FOOD 1588, Case No.
1:20-cv-02339 (E.D.N.Y., May 26, 2020), seeks compensation for the
Defendants' failure to pay overtime wages pursuant to the Fair
Labor Standards Act and the New York Labor Law.
According to the complaint, the Plaintiff regularly worked more
than 40 hours per week and was not paid time and one-half his
regular rate of pay by SNL, in violation of the FLSA and NYLL. The
Plaintiff continued to work six days per week and more than 40
hours in a week and was not paid time and one-half in violation of
the FLSA and NYLL.
The Plaintiff worked for the Defendant as a non-exempt grocery
worker.
SNL owns and operates a supermarket, known as Key Food, located in
Brooklyn, New York.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Bruce E. Menken, Esq.
BERANBAUM MENKEN LLP
80 Pine Street, 33rd Floor
New York, NY 10005
Phone: (212) 509-1616
Telephone: (973) 432-1122
Email: bmenken@nyemployeelaw.com
SO. ILLINOIS HARDWARE: Day Can Conduct Jurisdictional Discovery
---------------------------------------------------------------
In the case, MICHAEL DAY, Individually and on behalf of all others
similarly situated, Plaintiff, v. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS HARDWARE, LLC,
Defendant, Case No. 20-CV-8-SMY (S.D. Ill.), the U.S. District
Court for the Southern District of Illinois granted the Plaintiff's
Motion to Conduct Jurisdictional Discovery and Stay Remand
Deadline.
Michael Day filed a class action complaint in the St. Clair County,
Illinois Circuit Court, alleging that the Defendant collects and
retains the biometric data of its employees in violation of
Illinois state law. The Defendant removed the action on Jan. 3,
2020 pursuant to the Class Action Fairness Act ("CAFA"). It
asserts that the Illinois District Court has jurisdiction because
the Plaintiff class exceeds 100 members, at least one member of the
class is a citizen of a state different from the Defendants, and
the amount in controversy exceeds $5 million.
The Plaintiff seeks to conduct jurisdictional discovery in order to
determine if two-thirds or more of the members of all proposed
Plaintiff classes in the aggregate, and the primary Defendants, are
citizens of the State in which the action was originally filed,
thus creating an exception to CAFA jurisdiction. The Defendant
does not object to the discovery.
The District Court granted the Plaintiff's request. It had until
May 18 to conduct the jurisdictional discovery. It also had until
May 29 to file a motion to remand.
A full-text copy of the District Court's Feb. 25, 2020 Memoradum &
Order is available at https://is.gd/FXYXUj from Leagle.com.
Michael Day, Individually and on behalf of all others similarly
situated, Plaintiff, represented by Brandon M. Wise --
bwise@pwcklegal.com -- Peiffer Wolf Carr & Kane, APLC.
Southern Illinois Hardware, LLC, Defendant, represented by Scott D.
Meyers -- scott.meyers@huschblackwell.com -- Husch Blackwell LLP &
Terry L. Potter -- terry.potter@huschblackwell.com -- Husch
Blackwell Sanders LLP.
SOCIETY INSURANCE: Barn et al. Seek Payment for COVID-19 Losses
---------------------------------------------------------------
THE BARN INVESTMENT LLC d/b/a THE BARN; FOUND INVESTMENT LLC, d/b/a
FOUND; and AURORA RESTAURANT LLC d/b/a STOLP ISLAND SOCIAL,
individually and on behalf of all others similarly-situated,
Plaintiffs v. SOCIETY INSURANCE, A MUTUAL COMPANY, Defendant, Case
No. 1:20-cv-03142 (N.D. Ill., May 28, 2020) is a class action
against the Defendant for its breach of its contractual obligation
under common all-risk commercial property insurance policies.
The Plaintiffs, on behalf of themselves and on behalf of all others
similarly-situated policyholders who paid premiums in exchange for
the Defendant's all-risk commercial property insurance policies,
allege that the Defendant denied their claims for business
interruption coverage and argued that the Plaintiffs had not
suffered a physical loss or damage as a result of being shut down
by the government's business closure orders in response to the
COVID-19 pandemic. The Plaintiffs and Class members claim that they
have suffered a direct physical loss of and damage to their
property because they have been unable to use their property for
its intended purpose due to the closure orders. Moreover, the
Plaintiffs argue that the Society Businessowners Special Property
Coverage Form provides Civil Authority coverage, which promises to
pay the actual loss of business income policyholders sustain due to
necessary suspension of their operations during the period of
restoration. The suspension must be caused by direct physical loss
of or damage to property at the described premises. The
Businessowners Special Property Coverage Form also does not contain
any reference to pandemic or exclusions for pandemics.
The Barn Investment LLC, d/b/a The Barn, is an Illinois limited
liability company that owns and operates food service business in
Evanston, Illinois.
Found Investment LLC, d/b/a Found, is an Illinois limited liability
company that owns and operates food service business in Evanston,
Illinois.
Aurora Restaurant LLC, d/b/a Stolp Island Social, is an Illinois
limited liability company that owns and operates food service
business in Aurora, Illinois.
Society Insurance, A Mutual Company, is a mutual insurance company
with its principal place of business in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
[BN]
The Plaintiffs are represented by:
James E. Barz, Esq.
Frank A. Richter, Esq.
William J. Edelman, Esq.
Gina M. Buschatzke, Esq.
ROBBINS GELLER RUDMAN & DOWD LLP
200 South Wacker Drive, 31st Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
Telephone: (312) 674-4674
Facsimile: (312) 674-4676
E-mail: jbarz@rgrdlaw.com
frichter@rgrdlaw.com
wedelman@rgrdlaw.com
gbuschatzke@rgrdlaw.com
- and –
Samuel H. Rudman, Esq.
ROBBINS GELLER RUDMAN & DOWD LLP
58 South Service Road, Suite 200
Melville, NY 11747
Telephone: (631) 367-7100
E-mail: srudman@rgrdlaw.com
- and –
Paul J. Geller, Esq.
Stuart A. Davidson, Esq.
ROBBINS GELLER RUDMAN & DOWD LLP
120 East Palmetto Park Road, Suite 500
Boca Raton, FL 33432
Telephone: (561) 750-3000
Facsimile: (561) 750-3364
- and –
James E. Cecchi, Esq.
Lindsey H. Taylor, Esq.
CARELLA, BYRNE, CECCHI OLSTEIN, BRODY & AGNELLO
5 Becker Farm Road
Roseland, NJ 07068
Telephone: (973) 994-1700
E-mail: jcecchi@carellabyrne.com
ltaylor@carellabyrne.com
- and –
Christopher A. Seeger, Esq.
Stephen A. Weiss, Esq.
SEEGER WEISS
55 Challenger Road, 6th Floor
Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660
Telephone: (973) 639-9100
E-mail: cseeger@seegerweiss.com
sweiss@seegerweiss.com
SORRENTO THERAPEUTICS: Wasa Sues Over Drop in Securities' Value
---------------------------------------------------------------
Wasa Medical Holdings, individually and on behalf of all others
similarly situated v. SORRENTO THERAPEUTICS, INC., HENRY JI, and
MARK R. BRUNSWICK, Case No. 3:20-cv-00966-AJB-AGS (S.D. Cal., May
26, 2020), seeks to recover damages caused by the Defendants'
violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, arising from the decline
in the market value of the Company's securities due to the
Defendants materially false and misleading statements.
On May 15, 2020, Sorrento announced that it had discovered an
antibody that had "demonstrated 100% inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 virus
infection." On that same day, Defendant Henry Ji, founder and Chief
Executive Officer of Sorrento referred to Sorrento's breakthrough
as a "cure." On this news, Sorrento shares increased $4.14 to close
at $6.76 on May 15, 2020, on unusually heavy trading volume. The
stock continued to increase after hours and opened at $9.98 on May
18, 2020, trading at a high of $10.00 that same day, which
represented an increase of 281.7% from the May 14, 2020 closing
price.
On May 20, 2020, Hindenburg Research issued a report doubting the
validity of Sorrento's claims and calling them "sensational,"
"nonsense" and "too good to be true." Hindenburg spoke with
researchers at Mount Sinai who stated that Sorrento's announcement
was "very hyped" and that "nothing in medicine is 100%." However,
that same day, Defendant Ji appeared on Yahoo! Finance to rebut the
Hindenburg Report, stating that "investors suspecting . . . another
pump and dump" were wrong and that "when you see a virus is not
infecting the healthy cell, you know you have the real deal" and
"eventually the market will catch up."
On the Hindenburg Report and rebuttal news, the Sorrento shares
closed at $5.70 per share on May 20, 2020, representing a decline
of $4.30, or 43.0%, from the Class Period high, on unusually high
volume. Finally, on May 22, 2020, BioSpace published an article
stating that in a May 21, 2020 interview with Defendants Ji and
Brunswick, Ji "insisted that they did not say it was a cure." On
this news, Sorrento shares closed at $5.07 per share on May 22,
2020, representing a decline of $4.93, or 49.4%, from the Class
Period high, on unusually high volume.
According to the complaint, the Defendants made materially false
and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose
material adverse facts to investors. Specifically, the Defendants
mispresented and/or failed to disclose that: (i) the Company's
initial finding of "100% inhibition" in an in vitro virus infection
will not necessarily translate to to success or safety in vivo, or
in person; (ii) the Company's finding was not a "cure" for
COVID-19; and (ii) as a result of the foregoing, the Defendants'
positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and
prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable
basis. As a result of the Defendants' wrongful acts and omissions,
and the precipitous decline in the market value of the Company's
securities, the Plaintiff and other Class members have suffered
significant losses and damages.
Wasa Medical Holdings purchased Sorrento securities during the
Class Period.
Sorrento is a biopharmaceutical company. The Company researches
human therapeutic antibodies for the treatment of cancer,
inflammation, and metabolic and infectious diseases.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Robert J. Gralewski, Esq.
KIRBY McINERNEY LLP
600 B Street, Suite 2110
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 784-1442
Email: bgrawleski@kmllp.com
- and -
Ira M. Press, Esq.
KIRBY McINERNEY LLP
250 Park Avenue, Suite 820
New York, NY 10117
Phone: (212) 371-6600
Email: ipress@kmllp.com
SPARTAN ENTERPRISES: Guevara Seeks to Recover Wages Under FLSA
--------------------------------------------------------------
Jhony Guevara and Alexis Loza, Individually and on behalf of all
others similarly situated v. SPARTAN ENTERPRISES, LLC, BOZZUTO
CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, Case No. 1:20-cv-01383 (D.D.C., May 22,
2020), is brought to seek unpaid wages, back-pay, restitution,
liquidated damages, reasonable attorney's fees and costs, and
damages under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the D.C. Wage Payment
and Wage Collection Act, and the D.C. Minimum Wage Act Revision
Act.
The Plaintiffs regularly and customarily worked overtime more than
40 hours per week. Customarily, while performing electrical duties
within the Complex, the Plaintiffs and other Class Members worked
between 40 to 50, and often more, hours per week. Notwithstanding
that the Plaintiffs performed duties each week at two different
rates, the Defendant unlawfully paid the Plaintiffs for overtime
worked more than 40 hours per week at improper lower non-blended
rate of one-and-one-half times the Plaintiffs' non-scale rate, says
the complaint.
Plaintiff Mr. Guevara was directly employed by Spartan as an
electrician from September 9, 2017, until March 27, 2019.
Spartan is a Maryland limited liability company engaged in the
business of providing electrical contracting services to public and
private construction projects throughout the District of Columbia
and surrounding states.[BN]
The Plaintiffs are represented by:
Gregg C. Greenberg, Esq.
ZIPIN, AMSTER & GREENBERG, LLC
8757 Georgia Avenue, Suite 400
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 301-587-9373
Email: ggreenberg@zagfirm.com
STARR INDEMNITY: Refuses COVID-19 Losses Coverage, Ital Uomo Says
-----------------------------------------------------------------
ITAL UOMO OF NEW YORK, INC., Individually and on Behalf of All
Others Similarly Situated v. STARR INDEMNITY & LIABILITY COMPANY
and STARR INTERNATIONAL COMPANY, INC., Case No. 1:20-cv-02209
(E.D.N.Y., May 15, 2020), alleges that the Defendants denied claims
for lost business income and extra expenses as a result of social
distancing and/or stay-at-home orders issued in connection with the
COVID-19 global pandemic.
This action brings a claim against the Defendants for their breach
of their contractual obligation under common all-risk commercial
property insurance policies to indemnify Plaintiff and all others
similarly situated, who have suffered losses due to measures put in
place by civil authorities' stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders
since March 15, 2020.
The Plaintiff brings this action on behalf of a proposed class of
policyholders, who paid premiums in exchange for all-risk
commercial property insurance policies that included lost business
income and extra expense coverage.
On March 11, 2020, World Health Organization Director General
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the COVID-19 outbreak a
worldwide pandemic. On March 16, 2020, the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, and members of the national Coronavirus
Task Force issued to the American public guidance, styled as "30
Days to Slow the Spread" for stopping the spread of COVID-19. As a
result, many governmental entities entered civil authority orders
suspending or severely curtailing business operations of
non-essential businesses that interact with the public and provide
gathering places for individuals.
The Plaintiff owns and operates an apparel, and clothing and travel
accessory business in New York. The Plaintiff operates three stores
in New York and two in New Jersey.
Starr Indemnity & Liability Company is a global insurance company,
with its principal place of business in New York, New York and is
duly licensed to issue insurance in New York, Massachusetts,
Pennsylvania, California, Washington, Colorado, Arizona, Georgia,
Florida, Tennessee, Illinois, Missouri, and Texas. Starr
International is the parent company to Starr Indemnity & Liability
Company, and is incorporated in Zug, Switzerland.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Mark S. Reich, Esq.
Samuel H. Rudman, Esq.
Rachel L. Jensen, Esq.
Paul J. Geller, Esq.
Stuart A. Davidson, Esq.
ROBBINS GELLER RUDMAN & DOWD LLP
58 South Service Road, Suite 200
Melville, NY 11747
Telephone: 631/367-7100
E-mail: srudman@rgrdlaw.com
mreich@rgrdlaw.com
rachelj@rgrdlaw.com
pgeller@rgrdlaw.com
sdavidson@rgrdlaw.com
- and -
James E. Cecchi, Esq.
Lindsey H. Taylor, Esq.
CARELLA, BYRNE, CECCHI OLSTEIN, BRODY & AGNELLO
5 Becker Farm Road
Roseland, NJ 07068
Telephone: 973/994-1700
E-mail: jcecchi@carellabyrne.com
ltaylor@carellabyrne.com
- and -
Christopher A. Seeger, Esq.
Stephen A. Weiss, Esq.
SEEGER WEISS
55 Challenger Road, 6th Floor
Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660
Telephone: 973/639-9100
E-mail: cseeger@seegerweiss.com
sweiss@seegerweiss.com
- and -
Robert Schachter, Esq.
ZWERLING, SCHACHTER & ZWERLING, LLP
41 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10010
Telephone: 212 223-3900
Facsimile: 212 371-5969
E-mail: rschachter@zsz.com
SUNRISE MEATS: Fails to Pay Proper Overtime Wages, Morales Claims
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Arturo Morales, on behalf of himself and all others similarly
situated v. SUNRISE MEATS, INC., a Florida Profit Corporation; and
LEONEL ALFONSO, individually, Case No. 0:20-cv-61017-XXXX (S.D.
Fla., May 22, 2020), alleges that the Defendants failed to pay the
Plaintiff proper overtime compensation in violation of the Fair
Labor Standards Act.
The Plaintiff regularly work/worked in excess of 40 hours per
workweek, according to the complaint. Although the Plaintiff's
hours varied, he generally worked 60 to 67 hours per workweek.
Throughout the Plaintiff's employment, the Defendants had knowledge
of the Plaintiff's overtime hours, but purposefully failed to
provide him complete and adequate overtime pay in violation of the
FLSA.
The Plaintiff began working for the Defendants in June 2007 and
remained employed until his termination on April 6, 2020.
Sunrise Meats operates as a convenience store and butcher
shop.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Anisley Tarragona, Esq.
Jason D. Berkowitz, Esq.
BT LAW GROUP, PLLC
3050 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 205
Miami, FL 33137
Phone: (305) 507-8506
Email: anisley@btattorneys.com
jason@btattorneys.com
TOTAL CONCRETE: Johnson Suit Seeks Unpaid Back Wages Under FLSA
---------------------------------------------------------------
STEVIE JOHNSON, individually on behalf of himself and others
similarly situated v. TOTAL CONCRETE REPAIRS, INC., A Florida
Profit Corporation, and KEVIN COPE, individually, Case No.
3:20-cv-00498-TJC-PDB (M.D. Fla., May 18, 2020), seeks to recover
unpaid back wages, an additional equal amount as liquidated
damages, and reasonable attorneys' fees and costs pursuant to the
Fair Labor Standards Act.
The Plaintiff contends that he worked in excess of 40 hours within
most, if not all, work weeks. However, he was not properly
compensated for all of his overtime hours worked throughout the
duration of his employment. Instead, the Defendants systematically
paid, and continue to pay him and other similarly situated Laborers
for substantially fewer hours than they actually worked, according
to the complaint.
The Defendants hired the Plaintiff to work as non-exempt Laborer
from October 2017 to October 2019.
Total Concrete is a company that provides concrete services to
residential and commercial customers.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Chanelle J. Ventura, Esq.
MORGAN & MORGAN, P.A.
8151 Peters Road, Suite 4000
Plantation, FL 33324
Telephone: (954) 318-0268
Facsimile: (954) 333-3515
E-mail: CVentura@forthepeople.com
TWENTY4SEVEN HOTELS: Faces Camacho Employment Suit in California
----------------------------------------------------------------
A class action lawsuit has been filed against Twenty4Seven Hotels
Corporation, et al. The case is captioned as Ariana Camacho, on
behalf of all others similarly situated v. Twenty4Seven Hotels
Corporation; T4S Management CA LLC; and Does 1-50, Case No.
34-2020-00278596-CU-OE-GDS (Cal. Super., Sacramento Cty., May 13,
2020).
The suit alleges violation of employment-related laws. A case
management conference will be held on Dec. 3, 2020.
Twenty4seven operates as a real estate investment firm.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Arash S. Khosrowshahi, Esq.
LIBERTY MAN LAW
1010 F St., Ste. 300
Sacramento, CA 95814-0839
Telephone: (916) 573-0469
Facsimile: (866) 700-0787
E-mail: libertymanlaw@gmail.com
TYSON FOODS: Martinez Sues Over Failure to Pay Overtime Wages
-------------------------------------------------------------
German Lopez Martinez, on behalf of himself and all others
similarly situated v. Tyson Foods, Inc., Case No. 4:20-cv-00528-P
(N.D. Tex., May 22, 2020), is brought under the Fair Labor
Standards Act and the Portal-to-Portal Pay Act arising from the
Defendant's failure to pay all due and owing overtime wages to the
Plaintiff.
According to the complaint, the Plaintiff frequently worked over
forty hours per week, often working approximately 80 hours per week
due to working seven days per week. Even though Plaintiff should
have been paid an hourly rate as a non-exempt employee pursuant to
his job duties, and received overtime premium pay when he worked in
excess of forty hours in a workweek, the Defendant paid the
Plaintiff on a salary basis. As a result, the Plaintiff did not
receive all overtime pay to which he was entitled.
The Plaintiff worked for the Defendant as a pepperoni slice
supervisor and a production supervisor.
The Defendant is a meat processor. The Defendant operates a meat
processing/packing plant in Fort Worth.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Melinda Arbuckle, Esq.
Ricardo J. Prieto, Esq.
SHELLIST LAZARZ SLOBIN LLP
11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 1515
Houston, TX 77046
Phone: (713) 621-2277
Facsimile: (713) 621-0993
Email: marbuckle@eeoc.net
rprieto@eeoc.net
UTICA NATIONAL: Refuses COVID-19 Losses Coverage, Colby Suit Says
-----------------------------------------------------------------
THE COLBY RESTAURANT GROUP, INC., BBR LAUDERDALE, LLC d/b/a TA WALK
ON'S BISTREAUX, and SRG SOUTHCENTER, LLC d/b/a TWIN PEAKS,
Individually and on Behalf of All Others Similarly Situated v.
UTICA NATIONAL INSURANCE GROUP, REPUBLIC-FRANKLIN INSURANCE
COMPANY, AMGUARD INSURANCE COMPANY, and BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY GUARD,
Case No. 1:20-cv-05927-RMB-KMW (D.N.J., May 15, 2020), alleges that
the Defendants denied claims for lost business income and extra
expenses as a result of social distancing and/or stay-at-home
orders issued in connection with the COVID-19 global pandemic.
The Plaintiffs seek declaratory judgment that affirms that the
COVID-19 pandemic and the corresponding response by civil
authorities triggers coverage, has caused physical property loss
and damage to the insured property.
On March 11, 2020, World Health Organization Director General
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the COVID-19 outbreak a
worldwide pandemic. On March 16, 2020, the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, and members of the national Coronavirus
Task Force issued to the American public guidance, styled as "30
Days to Slow the Spread" for stopping the spread of COVID-19. As a
result, many governmental entities entered civil authority orders
suspending or severely curtailing business operations of
non-essential businesses that interact with the public and provide
gathering places for individuals.
The Plaintiffs own and operate food service-related businesses.
The Defendants are insurance companies. Defendants Utica and
Republic issued to Plaintiff Colby policy no. CPP 5059236 covering
the policy period June 1, 2019, through June 1, 2020. Defendants
AmGUARD and Berkshire issued to Plaintiff BBR policy no. BBBP029517
covering the policy period August 1, 2019, through August 1, 2020.
Defendants AmGUARD and Berkshire issued to Plaintiff SRG policy no.
SRBP087648 covering the policy period December 31, 2019, through
December 31, 2020.[BN]
The Plaintiffs are represented by:
James E. Cecchi, Esq.
Lindsey H. Taylor, Esq.
CARELLA, BYRNE, CECCHI OLSTEIN, BRODY & AGNELLO
5 Becker Farm Road
Roseland, NJ 07068
Telephone: (973) 994-1700
- and -
Christopher A. Seeger, Esq.
Stephen A. Weiss, Esq.
SEEGER WEISS
55 Challenger Road, 6th Floor
Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660
Telephone: (973) 639-9100
- and -
Samuel H. Rudman, Esq.
Paul J. Geller, Esq.
Stuart A. Davidson, Esq.
ROBBINS GELLER RUDMAN & DOWD LLP
58 South Service Road, Suite 200
Melville, NY 11747
Telephone: (631) 367-7100
VOICE DIRECTORIES: Faces Loftus TCPA Suit Over Unsolicited Calls
----------------------------------------------------------------
William Loftus, Louis Floyd and Terry Fabricant, individually and
on behalf of all others similarly situated v. VOICE DIRECTORIES
LLC.; and DOES 1 through 10, inclusive, Case No. 2:20-cv-04671
(C.D. Cal., May 26, 2020), arises from the Defendants' illegal
actions in contacting the Plaintiffs' cellular telephone in
violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, specifically
the National Do-Not-Call provisions, thereby, invading the
Plaintiffs' privacy.
The Company used an "automatic telephone dialing system" to place
its calls to the Plaintiffs seeking to solicit its services,
according to the complaint. The Company did not possess the
Plaintiffs' "prior express consent" to receive calls using an
automatic telephone dialing system or an artificial or prerecorded
voice on its cellular telephones. The Plaintiffs' cellular
telephone numbers have been on the National Do-Not-Call Registry
well over 30 days prior to the Defendant's initial calls. Despite
this, the Defendant continued to call the Plaintiffs in an attempt
to solicit its services and in violation of the National
Do-Not-Call provisions of the TCPA.
The Plaintiffs are natural persons residing in California.
The Defendant is an entity in the voice assistance industry.[BN]
The Plaintiffs are represented by:
Todd M. Friedman, Esq.
Adrian R. Bacon, Esq.
LAW OFFICES OF TODD M. FRIEDMAN, P.C.
21550 Oxnard Street, Suite 780
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Phone: (323) 306-4234
Fax: 866-633-0228
Email: tfriedman@toddflaw.com
abacon@toddflaw.com
VOLKSWAGEN GROUP: Dickinson et al. Sue Over Engine Stalling Defect
------------------------------------------------------------------
The case, MARILYN DICKINSON and KATE CONROY, individually and on
behalf of all others similarly-situated v. VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF
AMERICA, INC. and VOLKSWAGEN AG, Defendants, Case No.
1:20-cv-00579-GLS-CFH (N.D.N.Y., May 28, 2020), arises from the
Defendants' violations of New York General Business Law, the
Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, and the
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, and for unjust enrichment, breach of
express warranty, breach of implied warranty, common law fraud, and
breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
The Plaintiffs, on behalf of themselves and on behalf of all others
similarly-situated current and former owners and lessees of model
years 2018 and 2019 Volkswagen GTI, Golf, Jetta, Passat and Tiguan
vehicles equipped with 2.0L TSI engines, allege that the Defendant
failed to disclose the Class vehicles' manufacturing defect which
causes the engine to suddenly and unexpectedly stall and stop while
being operated, posing a danger to the driver and occupants of the
Class vehicles, and others that share the road with them, as other
vehicles can collide with the Class vehicles that have stopped
moving without warning.
The Plaintiffs claim that Volkswagen has long been aware of the
defect but has been unable or unwilling to adequately repair the
Class vehicles. Many owners and lessees of Class vehicles,
including the Plaintiffs, have communicated with the Defendants and
their agents to request that Volkswagen remedy and/or address the
defect at the Defendants' expense but have failed and/or refused to
do so, often conveying to owners and lessees that the Class
vehicles are operating as intended and therefore cannot be repaired
under warranty or otherwise.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of
automobile manufacturer Volkswagen AG, with its principal place of
business located at 2200 Ferdinand Porsche Drive, Herndon,
Virginia.
Volkswagen AG is an automobile manufacturer headquartered in
Wolfsburg, Germany. [BN]
The Plaintiffs are represented by:
George F. Farah, Esq.
Rebecca P. Chang, Esq.
HANDLEY FARAH & ANDERSON PLLC
81 Prospect Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Telephone: (212) 477-8090
Facsimile: (844) 300-1952
E-mail: gfarah@hfajustice.com
rchang@hfajustice.com
- and –
Matthew D. Schelkopf, Esq.
Joseph B. Kenney, Esq.
Lori G. Kier, Esq.
SAUDER SCHELKOPF LLC
1109 Lancaster Avenue
Berwyn, PA 19312
Telephone: (610) 200-0581
Facsimile: (610) 421-1326
E-mail: mds@sstriallawyers.com
jbk@sstriallawyers.com
lgk@sstriallawyers.com
- and –
William H. Anderson, Esq.
HANDLEY FARAH & ANDERSON PLLC
4730 Table Mesa Drive, Suite G-200
Boulder, CO 80305
Telephone: (303) 800-9109
Facsimile: (844) 300-1952
E-mail: wanderson@hfajustice.com
WALMART INC: Hanna Sues Over Unfair Sale of Herbicide Roundup
-------------------------------------------------------------
Sherry Hanna, individually and on behalf of all others situated v.
WALMART INC., a Delaware corporation, Case No. 5:20-cv-01075 (C.D.
Cal., May 22, 2020), is brought under the Unfair Competition Law to
redress the unfair business practices employed by the Defendant in
connection with its sale of the herbicide Roundup, which contains
the active ingredient glyphosate.
The Defendant's retail stores and website sold various formulations
of Roundup directly to consumers despite knowledge that Roundup may
cause cancer. For example, California has classified the active
ingredient, glyphosate, as a chemical known to cause cancer, such
as Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Additionally, glyphosate is a Class 2A
herbicide, meaning the World Health Organization's International
Agency for Research on Cancer ("IARC") has determined it is
probably carcinogenic to humans.
The Defendant sold Roundup despite California's classification and
the IARC's findings, according to the complaint. Defendant has also
known Roundup and other glyphosate-based herbicides have been
banned by many countries, regions, and municipalities throughout
the world because it is dangerous to human health. Though Defendant
has no control over the information contained on the labels of
Roundup products, it chose to sell the products without providing
consumers with any additional information on its website, store
shelves or at the point of sale about the products' potential
health risks.
The Defendant's conduct--continuing to sell a line of weed killer
products despite knowing they may be carcinogenic and without
informing consumers about the potential health risks--constitutes
an unfair business practice under the UCL, says the complaint. Had
the Plaintiff known of the carcinogenic properties of Roundup and
its links to cancer, she would not have purchased it.
The Plaintiff purchased a Roundup Weed & Grass Killer product
during the Class Period twice.
The Defendant is the largest retailer in the United States and
engaged in the marketing, sale, and distribution of a product line
of herbicide Roundup.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Gillian L. Wade, Esq.
Sara D. Avila, Esq.
Marc A. Castaneda, Esq.
MILSTEIN JACKSON FAIRCHILD & WADE, LLP
10250 Constellation Blvd., Suite 1400
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Phone: (310) 396-9600
Fax: (310) 396-9635
Email: gwade@mjfwlaw.com
savila@mjfwlaw.com
mcastaneda@mjfwlaw.com
- and -
Spencer Sheehan, Esq.
SHEEHAN & ASSOCIATES, P.C.
505 Northern Blvd., Suite 311
Great Neck, NY 11021
Phone: (516) 303-0552
Facsimile: (516) 234-7800
–and–
Lydia Sturgis Zbrzeznj, Esq.
SOUTHERN ATLANTIC LAW GROUP, PLLC
99 6th Street SW
Winter Haven, FL 33880
Phone: (863) 656-6672
Facsimile: (863) 301-4500
WEST COAST URGENT: Fails to Pay Minimum and OT Wages, Haro Claims
-----------------------------------------------------------------
GINA HARO, an individual, and on behalf of similarly situated v.
WEST COAST URGENT CARE CLINICS, INC., a California corporation,
TIGRAN GARABEDYAN, an individual, SUSIE YAGUBYAN, an individual,
and DOES 1 through 50, inclusive, Case No. 20STCV18803 (Cal.
Super., Los Angeles Cty., May 18, 2020), seeks damages and
penalties under the California Labor Code and Private Attorney
General Act arising from the Defendants' failure to pay minimum
wages, to pay overtime wages, and to provide rest breaks.
The Plaintiff contends that the Defendants regularly required her
and Aggrieved Employees to work off the-clock while traveling to
and from the Defendants' locations during the same workday. To the
extent that these off-the-clock hours did not qualify for overtime
premium payment, the Defendants did not even pay minimum wages for
those hours worked off-the-clock in violation of the Labor Code.
The Plaintiff began working as a non-exempt hourly employee for
Employer in May 2017.
West Coast is a health care provider in Pasadena California. Tigran
Garabedyan is the sole or controlling owner of West Coast.[BN]
The Plaintiff is represented by:
Stephen F. McAndrew, Esq.
Mitchell F. Kaufman, Esq.
KAUFMAN MCANDREW LLP
16633 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 500
Encino, CA 91436
Telephone: (818) 788-5767
Facsimile: (818) 788-2992
WESTLAKE CHEMICAL: Bid to Dismiss Caustic Soda Class Suits Pending
------------------------------------------------------------------
Westlake Chemical Corporation said in its Form 10-Q Report filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 2020, for the
quarterly period ended March 31, 2020, that defendants are seeking
dismissal of class action suits related to alleged price-fixing of
caustic soda.
The Company and other caustic soda producers were named as
defendants in multiple purported class action civil lawsuits filed
since March 2019 in the U.S. District Court for the Western
District of New York.
The lawsuits allege the defendants conspired to fix, raise,
maintain and stabilize the price of caustic soda, restrict domestic
(U.S.) supply of caustic soda and allocate caustic soda customers.
The other defendants named in the lawsuits are Olin Corporation,
K.A. Steel Chemicals (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Olin),
Occidental Petroleum Corporation, Occidental Chemical Corporation
d/b/a OxyChem, Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., Shintech Incorporated,
Formosa Plastics Corporation, and Formosa Plastics Corporation,
U.S.A.
Each of the lawsuits is filed on behalf of the respective named
plaintiff or plaintiffs and a putative class comprised of either
direct purchasers or indirect purchasers of caustic soda in the
U.S. The plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages and
injunctive relief.
The defendants' joint motion to dismiss the direct purchaser
lawsuits was denied, so those cases will proceed with discovery.
Westlake said, "At this time, the Company is not able to estimate
the impact, if any, that these lawsuits could have on the Company's
consolidated financial statements either in the current period or
in future periods."
No further updates were provided in the Company's SEC report.
Westlake Chemical Corporation manufactures and markets basic
chemicals, vinyls, polymers, and fabricated products. The Company
serves a range of consumer and industrial markets, including
flexible and rigid packaging, automotive products, coatings, and
residential and commercial construction.
YORK BAGELS: Martinez-Cruz Seeks Unpaid Wages for Counter Staff
---------------------------------------------------------------
ROGELIO MARTINEZ-CRUZ and ERICK MARTINEZ-CASTILLO, individually and
on behalf of all others similarly situated, Plaintiffs v. YORK
BAGELS INC. D/B/A BAGELS & CO., AMSTERDAM AVE BAGELS INC. D/B/A
BAGELS & CO., VLAD DJOURAEV, and YURI ISHAKOV, Defendants, Case No.
1:20-cv-04084 (S.D.N.Y., May 28, 2020) is a class action against
the Defendants for failure to compensate the Plaintiffs and all
others similarly-situated counter employees overtime premium for
all hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week and for failure to
provide accurate wage statements in violations of the Fair Labor
Standards Act, the New York Labor Law, and the Wage Theft
Prevention Act.
Plaintiff Cruz was employed by the Defendants at Bagels &
Co-Amsterdam as a counter employee from in or around June 1, 2015
to June 30, 2016 and again, around October 2016 until July 15,
2019.
Plaintiff Castillo was employed by the Defendants at Bagels &
Co-Amsterdam location as a counter employee in or around June 1,
2015 until December 15, 2015 and again, from February 1, 2019 to
March 19, 2020.
York Bagels Inc., doing business as Bagels & Co., operates kosher
bagel bakery restaurants with a principal place of business at 500
East 76th Street, New York, New York.
Amsterdam Ave Bagels Inc., doing business as Bagels & Co., operates
kosher bagel bakery restaurants with a principal place of business
at 172 W. 79th Street, New York, New York. [BN]
The Plaintiffs are represented by:
Nicholas Fortuna, Esq.
Paula Lopez, Esq.
ALLYN & FORTUNA LLP
1010 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10006
Telephone: (212) 213-8844
Facsimile: (212) 213-3318
ZIONS BANCORPORATION: "Evans" Initial Status Conference in July
---------------------------------------------------------------
Zions Bancorporation, National Association said in its Form 10-Q
Report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6,
2020, for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020, that the class
action suit, Evans v. CB&T, is in the post-pleading phase, with an
initial status conference scheduled for July 2020.
A civil class action lawsuit, Evans v. CB&T, brought against the
company in the United States District Court for the Eastern
District of California in May 2017.
This case was filed on behalf of a class of up to 50 investors in
International Manufacturing Group (IMG) and seeks to hold the
company liable for losses of class members arising from their
investments in IMG, alleging that we conspired with and knowingly
assisted IMG and its principal in furtherance of an alleged Ponzi
scheme.
In December 2017, the District Court dismissed all claims against
the Bank. In January 2018, the plaintiff filed an appeal with the
Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The appeal was heard in
early April 2019 with the Court of Appeals reversing the trial
court's dismissal.
This case is in the post-pleading phase, with an initial status
conference scheduled for July 2020, and as a result, trial will not
occur for a substantial period of time.
Zions Bancorporation, National Association provides various banking
and related services primarily in Arizona, California, Colorado,
Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and
Wyoming. The company was formerly known as ZB, National Association
and changed its name to Zions Bancorporation, National Association
in September 2018. Zions Bancorporation, National Association was
founded in 1873 and is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.
ZIONS BANCORPORATION: Bid to Dismiss Gregory Suit Pending
---------------------------------------------------------
Zions Bancorporation, National Association said in its Form 10-Q
Report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6,
2020, for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020, that trial on
the motion to dismiss the class action suit entitled, Gregory, et.
al. v. Zions Bancorporation, has not been set.
A civil class action lawsuit, Gregory, et. al. v. Zions
Bancorporation, brought against the company in the United States
District Court in Utah in January 2019.
This case was filed on behalf of investors in Rust Rare Coin, Inc.,
alleging that the company aided and abetted a Ponzi scheme fraud
perpetrated by Rust Rare Coin, a Zions Bank customer.
The case follows civil actions and the establishment of a
receivership for Rust Rare Coin by The Commodities Futures Trading
Commission and the Utah Division of Securities in November 2018, as
well as a separate suit brought by the SEC against Rust Rare Coin
and its principal, Gaylen Rust. The matter is in the early motion
practice state.
During the second quarter of 2019, the company filed a motion to
dismiss which has not yet been ruled upon by the Court. Trial has
not been scheduled.
No further updates were provided in the Company's SEC report.
Zions Bancorporation, National Association provides various banking
and related services primarily in Arizona, California, Colorado,
Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and
Wyoming. The company was formerly known as ZB, National Association
and changed its name to Zions Bancorporation, National Association
in September 2018. Zions Bancorporation, National Association was
founded in 1873 and is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.
ZOOM VIDEO: Labaton Sucharow Files Securities Class Action
----------------------------------------------------------
Labaton Sucharow LLP ("Labaton Sucharow") disclosed that on April
8, 2020, it filed a securities class action lawsuit against Zoom
Video Communications, Inc. (ZM) and certain executives and
encourages investors to contact the Firm.
The lawsuit, captioned Brams v. Zoom Video Communications, Inc.,
No. 20-cv-2396 (N.D. Cal.) (the "Action"), on behalf of its client
Kim Brams ("Brams") against Zoom Video Communications, Inc. ("Zoom"
or the "Company") and certain executives (collectively,
"Defendants"). The Action, which asserts claims under Sections
10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
"Exchange Act") and SEC Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, is
brought on behalf of all persons and entities who purchased or
otherwise acquired Zoom securities from April 18, 2019 through
April 6, 2020, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), who were
damaged thereby (the "Class").
Zoom designs, develops, and sells a popular cloud-based
communications platform that concentrates on video conferencing.
Zoom's flagship product is "Zoom Meetings" which is a service that
allows remote users to communicate with one another through video
conferencing, collaborative meetings, text based chat, and file
sharing. During the first quarter of 2020 and moving into April
2020, the COVID-19 pandemic placed millions of people under
directives from their state and local governments to "stay at home"
or "shelter in place." Because of Zoom's purported security,
reliability, and ease of use, the Company was seemingly
well-positioned to capture this new market and see exponential
growth. Accordingly, Zoom video meetings exploded in popularity.
Throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and
misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operational
and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or
misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Zoom had
inadequate data privacy and security measures; (ii) contrary to
Zoom's assertions, the Company's video communications service was
not end-to-end encrypted; (iii) as a result of all the foregoing,
users of Zoom's communications services were at an increased risk
of having their personal information accessed by unauthorized
parties, including Facebook; (iv) usage of the Company's video
communications services was foreseeably likely to decline when the
foregoing facts came to light; and (v) as a result, the Company's
public statements were materially false and misleading at all
relevant times.
While reports of deficiencies in Zoom's software encryption began
to come to light as early as July 2019, its services would only
come under enhanced scrutiny following its boom in popularity in
2020. Beginning in late March 2020, countless news reports detailed
shocking privacy issues and vulnerabilities with Zoom's products,
and revealed that the company had significantly overstated the
degree to which its video communication software was encrypted.
Zoom would be forced to issue numerous apologies, including the
admission by the Company's CEO that he "really messed up."
Following these revelations, the Company's stock price experienced
significant declines, thereby damaging investors.
If you purchased or otherwise acquired Zoom securities during the
Class Period and were damaged thereby, you are a member of the
"Class" and may be able to seek an appointment as Lead Plaintiff.
Lead Plaintiff motion papers must be filed with the U.S. District
Court for the Northern District of California no later than June 8,
2020. The Lead Plaintiff is a court-appointed representative for
absent members of the Class.
You do not need to seek an appointment as Lead Plaintiff to share
in any Class recovery in the Action.
If you are a Class member and there is a recovery for the Class,
you can share in that recovery as an absent Class member. You may
retain counsel of your choice to represent you in the Action.
If you would like to learn more about these claims, or have any
questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests
with respect to these matters, please contact David J. Schwartz,
Esq. of Labaton Sucharow, at (800) 321-0476, or via email at
dschwartz@labaton.com.
About the Firm
Labaton Sucharow LLP -- http://www.labaton.com-- is one of the
world's leading complex litigation firms representing clients in
securities, antitrust, corporate governance and shareholder rights,
and consumer cybersecurity and data privacy litigation. Labaton
Sucharow has been recognized for its excellence by the courts and
peers, and it is consistently ranked in leading industry
publications. Offices are located in New York, NY, Wilmington, DE,
and Washington, D.C. [GN]
[*] Greenberg Traurig Attorneys Discuss Covid-19 Class Actions
--------------------------------------------------------------
Robert J. Herrington, Esq., Stephen L. Saxl, Esq., David E.
Sellinger, Esq., John K. Crisham, Esq., James E. Gillenwater, Esq.,
and Gregory A. Nylen, Esq. of Greenberg Traurig, LLP, in an article
for The National Law Review, report that companies impacted by the
operational and legal challenges arising from Coronavirus Disease
2019 (COVID-19) may face another legal concern: the risk of class
action lawsuits associated with the pandemic. Since early March,
dozens of putative class actions relating to COVID-19 have been
filed in state and federal courts throughout the country.
These cases range from a class action charging a major online
retailer with price gouging on items like hand sanitizer and toilet
paper, to multiple class actions against health club chains seeking
refunds on dues, to a class action filed against a financial news
website for failure to provide closed captioning on popular
financial videos featured on its website, brought by a plaintiff
who was deaf and alleged she was concerned about the economic
impact of COVID-19. These suits are in addition to other types of
class action litigation relating to COVID-19, such as employment
class actions asserting that employees have not been provided with
paid sick leave and feel compelled to continue working even if ill,
and a securities class action asserting that public statements made
by a company that it had developed a COVID-19 vaccine were false.
Class action law firms have been gearing up to bring these cases.
As evidence of this:
* One website provides "[a] complete Guide to Coronavirus Lawsuits
and Legal Issues," seeking plaintiffs to join in class actions. The
website states: "If you believe that your rights have been violated
by a company as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, you may be
entitled to compensation. Get help by checking out one of the
Coronavirus lawsuit investigations below."
* Another website describes how four plaintiffs' law firms have
formed a Coronavirus Litigation Task Force to use their combined
strength to investigate "suspected wrongdoing" related to the
COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on medical supply price gouging,
business interruption insurance denials, at-risk medical workers,
and nursing homes.
This GT Advisory summarizes recently filed consumer class actions.
The authors take no position on the merits of the parties' claims.
Rather, the abstracts below focus mainly on the substance of the
case filings.
The Federal Trade Commission is reporting a surge of
COVID-19-related consumer complaints in recent weeks, including
reports of false labelling practices related to claims that
products can protect against or cure disease. Similarly, since the
beginning of 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has
issued dozens of warning letters to companies selling products
claiming to prevent, treat, or mitigate the effects of viruses,
including COVID-19. The warning letters generally note that
products promoted as treatments for COVID-19 constitute misbranded
and unapproved new drugs under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act (FD&C) and order the target companies to take "immediate
action" to "ensure that [they] are not misleadingly representing
[their] products as safe and effective for a COVID-19-related use."
The Justice Department and states' attorneys general have also
acted, blocking access to websites marketing COVID-19 cures and
treatments and ordering online retailers to stop selling such
products.
In the wake of these consumer complaints and enforcement actions,
plaintiffs' attorneys have filed several class action lawsuits
alleging false labelling or advertising related to COVID-19.
Examples include:
* Multiple class actions across the country against the makers and
retailers of hand sanitizers, alleging violations of state consumer
protection laws based on marketing (including online and social
media advertising) claiming the hand sanitizers effectively combat
viral and bacterial diseases. The following examples are
representative:
A lawsuit filed on March 13, 2020, in the Northern District of Ohio
against a hand sanitizer manufacturer, alleging that the
manufacturer's claim that its product "kills 99.9% of
illness-causing germs" is misleading. The complaint expressly
references a warning letter the FDA sent the manufacturer on Jan.
17, 2020, noting that its products constituted "unapproved new
drugs" in violation of the FD&C based on, inter alia, marketing
statements on the manufacturer's website and social media pages
that its products "may be effective against viruses." The lawsuit
seeks damages for all consumers who have purchased the products in
reliance on such representations, noting that "[t]he recent
outbreak of the coronavirus has greatly increased . . . demand."
An individual consumer filed a class action in the Southern
District of New York against the manufacturer of a hand sanitizer
concerning representations about the product's efficacy on the
label. The lawsuit contends that the defendant violated New York's
consumer-protection statute by making representations about the
efficacy of the product.
Similar lawsuits have been filed against different manufacturers
and retailers, each citing the FDA's Jan. 17, 2020, warning letter.
These include a case filed on March 5, 2020, in the Southern
District of California alleging that a hand sanitizer
manufacturer's claim to provide "Coronavirus/Flu Prevention" was
false and misleading, and a case filed on March 20, 2020, in the
Central District of California alleging that a national retailer
"misleads consumers into believing its [generic-brand] Hand
Sanitizer is as effective as [nationally known brands] and can
therefore prevent disease or infection from, for example,
Coronavirus and flu."
* Allegations of COVID-19-related false claims also have spawned
(i) lawsuits against media outlets under state consumer protection
statutes for allegedly disseminating false information about
COVID-19; and (ii) a securities fraud class action against a
biotechnology company alleging that it misled investors by claiming
to have developed an effective COVID-19 vaccine.
As these cases illustrate, plaintiffs' attorneys are closely
tracking agency warning letters and enforcement actions —
including those related to COVID-19 — to generate new class
action theories and bolster their complaints.
Cases Involving Canceled Trips, Entertainment and Sporting Events,
and Other Recurring Fees That Have Not Been Refunded
* Several putative class actions have been filed against health
club chains that shut down operations during the COVID-19 crisis
yet continued to charge membership dues. For example, a putative
class action was filed in the Southern District of New York on
March 26, 2020, against a regional health club chain based on
allegations that it is not honoring cancellation requests after the
gym closed due to the pandemic; continues to charge membership fees
automatically to its customers despite closing; and purportedly
added members' electronic signatures to contracts containing terms
to which they did not agree. Similar cases were filed in the
Northern District of California and the Southern District of
Florida against other nationwide health club chains.
* Similarly, mountain resorts that sold passes to customers have
been hit with COVID-19 related class actions. For example, on April
10, 2020, a putative class action was filed in the Northern
District of California against the owners of several ski resorts
based on the allegation that the plaintiff could not fully use his
season pass due to COVID-19 and had been denied a refund.
* Ticket aggregators and promoters of live events also have been
targeted by COVID-19-related class actions. For example, on March
24, 2020, a putative class action was filed in Los Angeles Superior
Court against the organizer of an electronic music festival in
California. The defendant canceled the festival, which was
scheduled for Memorial Day weekend, because of government mandates
prohibiting large gatherings. Plaintiff alleges that the terms and
conditions for the ticket purchases provided that "all sales are
final" and that "no refunds will be granted for any reason," but
that ticket holders have the right to exchange their tickets for a
rescheduled or different event. Plaintiff claims that these terms
are unenforceable as illusory because the defendant supposedly
retained "complete and unfettered control" to modify or terminate
the agreement.
* On April 8, 2020, the organizer of a "festival-like" nursing
conference and a cruise line owner were sued in the Southern
District of Florida in a putative class action, alleging that
defendants canceled a cruise featuring an event organized by a
social media personality, who is a nurse and who leads
"entertaining" conferences focusing on the nursing profession.
Plaintiffs allege that defendants have refused to provide
participants with cash refunds and have offered only credits for
future events to be held between 2021 and 2023.
* Similarly, on April 2, 2020, a putative class action was filed in
the District of Wisconsin against a ticket broker and a subsidiary,
alleging that the defendants failed to honor the broker's purchase
guarantee, which plaintiffs claim was supposed to provide cash
refunds if requested for canceled sporting events. Plaintiff
alleges that, in early March 2020, the broker offered customers the
option of choosing to receive a voucher valued at 120% of their
ticket purchase price that would be good for 12 months, but later
changed its policy to offer only vouchers and no cash refunds.
* Other targets for COVID-19-related class actions include
organizers of outings and social events. For example, a putative
class action was filed on April 3, 2020, in the Northern District
of California against the operators of a members-only singles event
company that offers access to and hosts events for singles looking
to meet other singles. Plaintiff alleges that the defendants
continue to charge members monthly fees for access to these events,
even though all in-person events have been canceled.
* A putative class action was filed on March 17, 2020, in the
Southern District of California against an educational tour company
that promoted and organized trips abroad for high school students.
Plaintiffs allege that defendant refused to provide cash refunds
for trips that were canceled due to COVID-19, and that defendant
only offered vouchers for future travel, less various
"non-refundable fees." Plaintiffs argued that a clause in the
parties' agreement providing that no refunds would be given in the
event of a public health emergency are unconscionable. Plaintiffs
also allege that defendants knew or should have known that the
nature of the COVID-19 crisis would make rescheduling their trips
impossible.
* Colleges and universities are also being sued in putative class
actions relating to the COVID-19 crisis. For instance, on March 27,
2020, a class action was filed in the U.S. District Court for the
District of Arizona against a university and its governing body,
alleging that defendants have not offered refunds to students for
unused portions of fees for room and board after defendants shifted
to online learning. Plaintiff alleges that defendants' actions
constitute a "constructive eviction," and that, although the
transitions to online learning "were responsible decisions to
make," "it is unfair and unlawful….to retain fees and costs and
to pass the losses on to the students and their families."
* The airline industry is also being hit with COVID-19-related
class actions involving refunds. A putative class action was filed
on April 6, 2020, against a national airline in the Northern
District of Illinois, alleging that it improperly changed its
refund policy to provide travel vouchers only good for one year.
* Theme parks are also being hit with COVID-19 related class
actions. On April 10, 2020, the owner of two large theme parks was
sued in a putative class action filed in the Central District of
California. Plaintiffs allege that the theme park owner continued
to charge prorated monthly fees to annual passholders despite the
parks being closed. Plaintiffs allege that, when they signed up to
become annual passholders, they expected access to the parks, which
are normally open seven days a week.
Cases Alleging Price Gouging
* In Florida, a consumer filed a class action in state court
against a major retail e-commerce company on March 10, 2020,
alleging that the company had engaged in unlawful price increases
on scarce personal hygiene products during the current pandemic.
The plaintiff claimed she paid $99 for a 36-roll package of toilet
paper, which she alleged "customarily retails" for around $1 per
roll, and $199 for a pack of two one-liter bottles of hand
sanitizer, which she claimed "regularly retails" for around $7-8
per liter. The claims rely on Florida's statutory price-gouging
provision, which makes it illegal to charge "unconscionable" prices
for certain "essential commodities" following a declared state of
emergency.
* The state price-gouging statutes may end up in play in a variety
of different litigation contexts in addition to cases seeking to
enforce the price-gouging provisions in and of themselves. For
example, in one case filed in the Southern District of New York, a
manufacturer of a leading brand of N95 respirators -- masks that
fit over faces to filter out air particles and protect the wearer
against the coronavirus -- filed suit against an alleged
unauthorized distributor of its products. The complaint alleged
that the defendant had submitted a quote to New York City, offering
to sell millions of the plaintiff's brand of respirator masks at a
grossly inflated price, seeking to deceive the city procurement
officials into believing the defendant was an authorized
distributor. The suit claimed that the defendant was trying to use
the plaintiff's trademarks to "perpetrate a false and deceptive
price-gouging scheme on unwitting consumers," including government
agencies, during the coronavirus pandemic. Although the complaint
asserted various different claims for trademark infringement,
unfair competition, false association, and deceptive acts and
practices, among other claims, the complaint specifically cited to
the New York price-gouging provision.
* Although there is no price-gouging law at the federal level, many
states have some form of price-gouging prohibition. For example, in
California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, statutes limit how much
the price of certain goods may increase following a declared public
emergency. In those states, the statutes provide for a private
right of action, including the ability to bring a class action.
High-profile plaintiffs' class action attorneys have been quoted in
the media as saying they are looking for situations involving
serious price gouging.
* These provisions vary from state to state. For example,
California's price-gouging law prohibits "excessive and unjustified
increases in the prices" of any "essential consumer goods and
services" during a proclaimed or declared state of emergency at the
national or local level. The statute also makes it unlawful for
anyone to sell or offer to sell consumer food items, emergency
supplies, and medical supplies for a price more than 10% percent
greater than the price charged by that person for those goods or
services immediately before the emergency declaration. But an
increase is not unlawful if it is directly attributable to
additional costs imposed on the seller by the supplier or to
additional costs of labor or materials used to provide the
services, and the price is "no more than 10 percent greater than
the total of the cost to the seller" plus the customary markup by
the seller for that good or service in the usual course of business
immediately before the state of emergency.
* Massachusetts's price-gouging law, which was expanded to cover
the COVID-19 pandemic, includes "any goods or services necessary
for the health, safety or welfare of the public" and prohibits
increases to "an unconscionably high price." The Massachusetts
regulation does not define "an unconscionably high price" as a
specific percentage, but under prior case law, a court may find an
"unconscionably high price" where there is "gross disparity"
between the increase in prices to consumers compared to the
increase in gross margins, calculated based on costs to sellers.
* New Jersey's price-gouging law, which is part of the state's
Consumer Fraud Act, makes it "an unlawful practice" to sell during
a state of emergency "any merchandise which is consumed or used as
a direct result of an emergency or which is consumed or used to
preserve, protect, or sustain the life, health, safety or comfort
of persons or their property" at a price that constitutes "an
excessive price increase." Although New Jersey defines "excessive
price increase" to mean an increase of "more than 10 percent" over
the price at which the good was sold in the usual course of
business immediately before the state of emergency, it carves out
an exception if the increase is attributed to the additional costs
of providing the good during the state of emergency or is imposed
by the seller's supplier, provided the price does not represent an
increase in the markup from cost of more than 10 percent of the
markup customarily applied by the seller immediately prior to the
state of emergency.
Cases Involving Claims Concerning Customer Data Privacy
* A class action was filed in the Northern District of California
against a videoconferencing platform for allegedly sharing users'
personal information with a third-party social media company
without user permission. The named plaintiff alleges he used the
platform to communicate during the stay-at-home directives due to
COVID-19. According to the complaint, the company's privacy policy
did not inform users that the software would collect certain data
points and share that data with certain third parties. The putative
nationwide class action asserts claims for violations of state
unfair competition, consumer protection, and data privacy statutes,
in addition to common law claims. Similar class actions have also
been filed alleging, in addition, that the platform's security
features are overstated.
* Two shareholder suits have been filed against a communications
technology company. These suits claim that the company made false
and misleading statements and failed to disclose inadequate data
privacy and security measures. The shareholder suits claim that
these issues came to light due to the increasing reliance on video
communication software during the COVID-19 pandemic.
* A similar class action has been filed in the Central District of
California against two social media companies and a
videoconferencing platform. The plaintiff alleges the social media
companies "eavesdropped" on his and other users' meetings by
reading and learning the contents of his devices' communications
with the videoconferencing company's servers. The putative class
action asserts nationwide claims for unjust enrichment and trespass
to chattels, as well as intrusion upon seclusion claims on behalf
of a multi-state subclass, and invasion of privacy under the
California privacy laws on behalf of a California subclass.
* As consumer and individual public health data is increasingly
being used to track the spread of COVID-19, the Senate Commerce
Committee held a paper hearing beginning on April 9, 2020, titled
"Enlisting Big Data in the Fight Against Coronavirus." Among the
issues discussed were the use of anonymized, de-identified,
aggregate smartphone location data in the fight against the spread
of the COVID-19; the use of videoconferencing software and the
implications to individuals' privacy rights; the implications for
students' privacy under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy
Act and the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act for schools
engaging in distance-learning; and the interplay between HIPPA and
the use of public health data to stop the spread of the
coronavirus. Even though these statutes do not necessarily provide
for private causes of action, plaintiffs' counsel often look to
government proceedings for ideas for new potential lawsuits.
Cases Alleging Product Liability and Negligence-Based Claims
On April 7, 2020, a cruise-ship passenger filed a class action
lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida against a large cruise
line company alleging that the company acted negligently in setting
sail despite knowing that the vessel had taken previous voyages
with passengers who had confirmed cases of COVID-19, and despite
knowing that there were infected passengers on board for the
voyage. Plaintiff claimed that the company negligently exposed him
and thousands of other passengers to COVID-19. The claims rely on
allegations of improper sanitation aboard the ship once an infected
passenger had been onboard, untrue assurances of passenger safety,
failures to screen passengers, and the failure to warn passengers
about increasing risks of contracting COVID-19 as the voyage
continued. [GN]
*********
S U B S C R I P T I O N I N F O R M A T I O N
Class Action Reporter is a daily newsletter, co-published by
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Toledo, Christopher G. Patalinghug, and Peter A. Chapman, Editors.
Copyright 2020. All rights reserved. ISSN 1525-2272.
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