NOTE FROM THE EDITORS The stakes at issue in class action litigation are typically significant and are apt to keep corporate counsel and senior management up at night. A company ’ s market share and corporate reputation are often implicated by a class action and these exposures and risks put immense pressure on corporate decision- makers. The purpose of the Duane Morris Discrimination Class Action Review is multi-faceted. We hope it will demystify some of the complexities of class action litigation, and keep corporate counsel updated on the ever-evolving nuances of Rule 23 issues in the discrimination space. In this respect, we hope this book will provide our clients with an analysis of trends and significant rulings that enable them to make informed decisions in dealing with complex litigation risks. Class actions challenging employment policies and practices has a robust history since passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. For decades, federal courts routinely granted class certification in nationwide discrimination class actions, which often spiked settlements that entailed huge pay-outs and across-the- board changes to HR systems. In turn, significant changes in the workplaces of Corporate America resulted from class action precedents, massive settlements, and injunctive relief orders. Ultimately, as the class action landscape continues to evolve, so too are the playbook theories of the plaintiff and defense bars. Counsel on both sides are becoming more sophisticated and creative in their approaches to prosecuting and defending class actions. Courts are facing increasing pressure to quickly and efficiently discern between properly pled actions and meritless litigation, not only to promote court expediency but also to spare businesses the incredible expense that accompanies class defense. Defense of discrimination class actions is a hallmark of the litigation practice at Duane Morris. We hope this book – manifesting the collective experience and expertise of our class action defense group – will assist our clients by identifying developing trends in the case law and offering practical approaches in dealing with discrimination class action litigation.
Gerald L. Maatman, Jr.
Jennifer A. Riley
Editor
Editor
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© Duane Morris LLP 2024
Duane Morris Discrimination Class Action Review – 2024
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