Dykema is one of the leading class action defense firms. Our team defends hundreds of class actions filed across the country, many filed by nationally-known plaintiffs’ class action firms. Our successful record of handling all phases of class action defense – including claims analysis, forum issues, dispositive motions, oppositions to class certification, and trial -- makes Dykema the top choice among Fortune 500 clients, including industry leaders in the automotive, lending, insurance, health care, retail and manufacturing fields. We have extensive experience in such critical areas as case management, developing expert witnesses and developing effective settlement strategies where appropriate.

As experienced trial lawyers, Dykema offers jury trial experience that few class action defense practices can provide. For example, Dykema defense teams have obtained defense verdicts in two major recent auto class action trials.

As one of the leading litigation defense firms in the nation, the breadth of our practice allows us to handle virtually any class action claim. A representative sample of our class action experience includes:

• Antitrust: Served as national and regional counsel for pharmaceuticals; health care; consumer products; state law (including indirect purchaser cases) as well as federal law claims;
• Mortgage Lending: Dykema serves as counsel for several residential and commercial mortgage lenders defending class actions;
• Securities Fraud: We have developed one of the leading securities fraud class action defense practices, successfully defending numerous cases in such fields as manufacturing, finance, health care, data processing, high tech, and the recreation industry;
• Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices: Dykema has served as national counsel for a major pharmaceutical company in litigation alleging birth defects resulting from anticonvulsants. Our lawyers represented a manufacturer of silicone breast implants in product liability class action litigation, and we have also defended class actions involving prescription and generic drugs, infant formula, and vitamins;
• Insurance: We have represented a major medical malpractice insurer against class action claims of fraudulent conduct. Dykema has successfully defended an HMO against claims that its practices violated the relevant state insurance code, and has assisted other medical insurers in formulating strategies and practices to avoid threatened class action litigation. We have defended auto insurers in class action litigation alleging wrongful interference in the physician-patient relationship;
• Automotive: We represent automotive OEMs in litigation across the country, as lead trial counsel, coordinating discovery counsel and national expert counsel. We are one of the very few firms that has tried to verdict multiple class actions for automotive OEMs, and won them. We are lead counsel to major auto manufacturers in a variety of product liability class actions;
• Retail: Dykema has represented numerous major national retailers in consumer class action claims based on items such as videotapes, computer products, rebates, credit card collection practices; warranty issues, entertainment events, funeral services, etc.;
• Employment: Dykema has represented employers in numerous discrimination class action and putative class actions and FLSA collective actions. We have a track record of success in opposing class certifications and securing early dismissals;
• Credit Discrimination: We served as lead counsel for a major auto finance company, defending it against race and ethnic status discrimination claims.

If you would like further information about our Class Action Defense practice, please contact:
Peter M. Kellett, Director, 313-568-6668
J. Kevin Snyder, Leader, 213-457-1810