Anthony Pierce Quoted by National Law Journal on Reported DOJ Input on Class Action Settlements
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The National Law Journal has quoted Akin Gump litigation partner Anthony Pierce in its weekly “Critical Mass” column, regarding comments by outgoing Associate Attorney General Rachel Brand that the Department of Justice (DOJ) would get more involved in reviewing class action settlements.
Pierce said he thinks DOJ will be looking at much more than just coupon settlements, noting that the amount of monetary benefit, or injunctive relief, could also be on the department’s radar—as will plaintiffs attorney fees.
“I’m looking for them to weigh in on cases where they don’t see great benefit to the consumer, or they see a substantial windfall, in their minds, in the fee request from the plaintiffs lawyers,” Pierce said.