Third Circuit Invalidates New Jersey Supreme Court Decision Requiring Arbitration of Claims on a Class-Wide Basis Under Supreme Court's Decision in AT&T Mobility LLC v. Concepcion

Legal Alerts

8.30.11

The favorable arbitration decisions keep rolling in.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, in Litman v. Cellco Partnership (2011 WL 3689015, Aug. 24, 2011), held based on Supreme Court precedent in AT&T Mobility LLC v. Concepcion (AT&T Mobility) that a New Jersey law deeming class arbitration waivers unconscionable was preempted by the Federal Arbitration Act (the FAA). Concluding that the required availability of class-wide arbitration "creates a scheme inconsistent with" the FAA, the Third Circuit affirmed a lower court's order compelling individual arbitration in accordance with the terms of the consumer's contract with Verizon.

The Litman decision—reversing a prior holding by the same court—was mandated by the U.S. Supreme Court's holding in AT&T Mobility, in which the Supreme Court held that the FAA requires enforcement of an arbitration clause unless grounds exist at law or in equity for the revocation of the contract and that state law rules that are an obstacle to the accomplishment of the FAA's objectives are preempted. In AT&T Mobility, the Supreme Court concluded, among other things, that class-wide arbitration is inconsistent with the FAA because it does not enforce the arbitration agreement according to its terms. Applying that reasoning to the facts in Littman, the Third Circuit similarly held that "the arbitration clause at issue here must be enforced according to its terms, which requires individual arbitration and forecloses class arbitration."

Rulings like Litman may provide only a short term boost for consumer arbitration. Whether or not the decisions will have a lasting impact will depend on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which is studying the issue.

Should you have any questions about this decision or need additional information, please contactRichard E. Gottlieb, Director of the Firm's Financial Industry Group, at 312-627-2196, or Arthur B. Axelson, the author of this alert, at 202-906-8607.

For more information about Dykema's Consumer Financial Services practice, please contact one of the listed attorneys.


As part of our service to you, we regularly compile short reports on new and interesting developments in consumer financial services and the issues the developments raise. Please recognize that these reports do not constitute legal advice and that we do not attempt to cover all such developments. Readers should seek specific legal advice before acting with regard to the subjects mentioned here. Rules of certain state supreme courts may consider this advertising and require us to advise you of such designation. Your comments on this newsletter, or any Dykema publication, are always welcome. © 2011 Dykema Gossett PLLC.

Related Services