Class actions and representative actions under California Business & Professions Code section 17200 are becoming increasingly prevalent in the current legal climate. These actions are often complex and involve high stakes, presenting risk of substantial damage awards and other exposures to commercial enterprises. As a result, it is important to have counsel that is knowledgeable about and experienced in the specialized issues involved in these actions.
Sheppard Mullin has been at the forefront in the development of class action law. Our lawyers worked with the State Judicial Council and the Los Angeles Superior Court to draft key rules governing class actions in California. In addition, we were involved in the first common law consumer fraud class action in California.
Sheppard Mullin attorneys have substantial experience defending businesses in these actions, from the relatively simple to the large and complex, often involving damage claims in excess of a billion dollars. We have also defended class action suits both in California courts and in courts throughout the country.
We have represented numerous clients in the broad scope of actions, a sampling of which includes:
- Allegations of false product advertising
- Product defects
- Consumer lending and credit practices
- Consumer fraud
- Securities fraud and shareholder actions
- Antitrust violations
- Insurance bad faith (among other insurance issues)
- Wage and hour, discrimination and employment matters
- ERISA
- Disability access
- California’s Unfair Competition Law (“17200”)
- Unfair Trade Practices Act (“UTPA”)
- Environmental and toxic torts
- Healthcare
- Real estate and property damage
- Product liability and personal injury
- RICO claims
Our class action clients are in such industries as aerospace and defense, petroleum production and retail, insurance, banking and finance, power and energy, telecommunications, commercial and consumer product manufacturing, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, restaurant chains and retail, among others.