Consumer : Class Action Defense Strategy Blog

The U.S. Supreme Court Reaffirms The Enforceability Of Arbitration Agreements

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Sheppard Mullin

In CompuCredit Corp. v. Greenwood, ---S.Ct.---, 2012 WL 43514 (U.S. Jan. 10, 2012), the Supreme Court has again enforced an arbitration clause and class action waiver in a consumer contract. In doing so, the Court solidified the holding of its recent landmark decision of AT&T Mobility v. Concepcion, 563 U.S. ___, 131 S.Ct. 1740 (2011) that under the Federal Arbitration Act (the “FAA”) arbitration agreements must be enforced according to their terms. Indeed, CompuCredit demonstrates a growing consensus on this point. While the Court decided Concepcion by a 5-4 majority, 8 out of 9 justices formed the majority in CompuCredit, with only Justice Ginsberg dissenting. Justice Scalia wrote the majority opinions in both cases.

Tags: Consumer

The Ninth Circuit Applies the Brakes to Runaway Nationwide Class Actions

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Sheppard Mullin

By Paul Seeley

In the recently published decision Mazza v. American Honda Motor Company, Inc., No. 09-55376 (9th Cir. 1-12-12), the Ninth Circuit reversed the certification of a nationwide class composed of consumers seeking relief under California’s consumer protection laws. In doing so, the court significantly decreased the viability of such nationwide classes, particularly when the plaintiff seeks to recover under any particular state’s consumer protection statutes.

Tags: Consumer

Second Circuit Rejects the Use of "Aggregate Proof" of Causation in a Putative Consumer Class Action

Posted on October 15, 2010 by Sheppard Mullin

By John Stigi and Eric O’Connor

In UFCW Local 1776 v. Eli Lilly & Co., No. 09-0222-CV, 2010 WL 3516183 (2d Cir. Sept. 10, 2010), the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit reversed an order of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York certifying a class of third party payors (“TPPs”) consisting of unions and insurers who underwrite the purchase of drugs prescribed by physicians in an action against pharmaceutical manufacturer Eli Lilly & Co. (“Lilly”) alleging civil violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1962, 1964 (“RICO”). At the core of this decision is the Second Circuit’s rejection of the use of “aggregate proof” of causation in the consumer class certification process.

Tags: Consumer

The Second District Court of Appeal Applies the "Filed Rate Doctrine" to California Insurance Ratemaking, and Holds that the Use of Approved Insurance Rates Cannot Create Tort Liability Against an Insurer in a Class Action

Posted on October 15, 2010 by Sheppard Mullin

By Jennifer Hoffman

In MacKay v. Superior Court (October 6, 2010) ___ Cal.App.4^th ___ the Second District Court of Appeal threw out a class action challenging an insurer's rating practices on the ground that California law prohibits insureds from challenging rates approved by the California Department of Insurance ("DOI") through a civil action. Writing for the court, Justice Croskey concluded that the "filed rate doctrine" applies to California insurance ratemaking, despite the voters' enactment of Proposition 103, and that the exclusive remedy for challenging an insurer's approved rating practices was through a statutory administrative review process.

Tags: Consumer, Recent Cases

The Recent Assault on Consumer Arbitration Clauses

Posted on October 2, 2009 by Sheppard Mullin

By Anna McLean and Molly Newland

After years of growth, the Federal Arbitration Act ("FAA"), and numerous court decisions emphasizing the strong public policy in favor of arbitration as a cost-effective means of resolving disputes, arbitration now appears to be under siege—particularly in the consumer context. Many consumer contracts, including those involving cellular phones, credit cards, and other consumer finance products, such as automobile retail installment contracts, contain mandatory arbitration provisions requiring consumers to resolve any disputes through arbitration rather than through the courts. In many cases, these contracts have attempted to establish arbitration an alternative to the high cost, slow pace, and uncertainty of class action litigation. Now consumer arbitration itself has become the focus of public entity investigations and class action lawsuits. Ultimately, consumer arbitration will likely survive, perhaps with new guidelines and consistent rules governing the process so companies know when their arbitration agreements will be enforced.

Tags: Consumer