CEI’s Center for Class Action Fairness (CCAF) represents class members against unfair class action procedures and settlements. Originally founded by Ted Frank in 2009, CCAF has won millions of dollars for consumers and shareholders, and won landmark precedents that safeguard investors, courts, and the general public.

Unfair settlements generally serve self-interested lawyers and third parties at the expense of absent class members, the group of people whose rights are traded away to settle a class action. Lawyers have an interest in their fees, defendants have an interest in cheaply disposing of a lawsuit, and the class’ interests can take a back seat in the process. CCAF seeks to solve these problems by representing such class members pro bono and presenting judges with the other side of the argument. When CCAF prevails, lawyers get less, class members get more, and the rule of law is strengthened.

The New York Times says CCAF’s Ted Frank is “the leading critic of abusive class action settlements,” while Reuters called him a “class action maverick” and “among class action lawyers’ most feared objectors.”

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Litigation

Martin v. Blessing

  • No. 13-169, 134 S. Ct. 402 (2013)
  • Court Level: Supreme Court

The Center initially objected to this settlement because, among other problems, its value to class members did not justify the $13M attorneys’ fees request.  Ultimately,…

Class Action Fairness

Litigation

Marek v. Lane

  • No. 13-136, 134 S. Ct. 8 (2013)
  • Court Level: Supreme Court

The Center was retained to petition the Supreme Court for review of a settlement that gave $0 for the class, $3.2M to the attorneys, and…

Class Action Fairness

Litigation

Baby Products Antitrust Litigation

  • 708 F.3d 163 (3d Cir. 2013)
  • Court Level: Appellate

This case involved a settlement of consolidated antitrust class actions brought by consumers against retailers Toys “R” Us, Babies “R” Us and several baby product…

Class Action Fairness

Litigation

HP Inkjet Printer Litigation

  • 716 F.3d 1173 (9th Cir. 2013)
  • Court Level: District

The Ninth Circuit held that the Class Action Fairness Act requires that when class members obtain coupons in a settlement, the lawyers’ fees attributable to those…

Class Action Fairness

Litigation

Dry Max Pampers Litigation

  • 724 F.3d 713 (6th Cir. 2013)
  • Court Level: Appellate

CCAF objected to this $0 settlement between Proctor & Gamble Company and consumers who purchased certain kinds of Pampers diapers where class counsel requested $2.73…

Class Action Fairness