Examining the Ethical Duties of Class Counsel

This program, presented by Bo Phillips of Alston & Bird, will provide a detailed overview of the range of ethical issues that arise in class action litigation, from discovery issues regarding absent putative class members to the rules regarding settlement negotiations and settlement approvals. The program will address the duties of class counsel, requirements of evidence preservation and litigation hold notice to class members, and disclosures to the class and the court regarding the terms of proposed settlements.  The course will also examine recent litigation trends for more rigorous scrutiny of class settlements by both state and federal courts.

Learning Objectives:

1. Obtain an overview of the ethical issues that arise in class action litigation

2. Develop best practices for avoiding ethical violations in class action litigation

3. Explore developing ethical obligations associated with class action settlements by analyzing recent litigation trends in state and federal courts