Class Actions

Catalog description

Some of the most cutting-edge and challenging litigation in the courts today are class actions or complex cases involving numerous parties and/or very complicated claims. These cases can take up enormous resources of our courts and the litigants and yet result in resolutions that are fair and efficient if litigated and adjudicated properly. This course focuses on the emerging issues in such cases, the innovative uses to which scientific evidence is being put in class actions, and the methods used to resolve such disputes. Students will be expected to participate as part of litigation teams in strategic discussions and exercises highlighting the material covered in the course and will be evaluated on those exercises as well as a final examination. The class would meet, at a mutually convenient time, once a week for two credits and feature at least two guest speakers (e.g., class action lawyer, jurist, expert). Students will be given a hypothetical class action highlighting key issues and tensions within class, and brief and argue their positions on (1) class certification and (2) class settlement approval.