Navigating The Lifecycle Of A Class Action: Taking And Defending Depositions

Class actions allow plaintiffs to pursue claims on behalf of a defined group of unnamed individuals. By aggregating the claims of many persons to a single lawsuit, plaintiffs can seek to increase the size of their cases exponentially in terms of the number of claims they assert and the damages they seek. As a result, class action litigation can present substantial implications for corporate defendants. The deposition of a named plaintiff is a crucial stage for defense counsel to gather information and establish sworn testimony, shaping the course of a class action lawsuit and pre-trial remedies. Alternatively, preparing a client for deposition in a class action lawsuit requires informed and practiced defense strategies.  

Join experienced class action defense litigators Gerald L. Maatman, Jr. and Jennifer A. Riley for a breakdown of the class action lifecycle and key strategies for the deposition process.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Explain the structure and lifecycle of class action litigation and the role of named plaintiffs
2. Identify the strategic significance of named-plaintiff depositions in shaping class certification and pre-trial outcomes
3. Develop effective defense strategies for conducting named-plaintiff depositions to obtain critical admissions and clarify the litigation record
4. Prepare clients to serve as named plaintiffs or witnesses by applying best practices in deposition preparation
5. Evaluate the risks, opportunities, and broader implications that class action discovery poses for corporate defendants