The Class Action Fairness Act: The First Six Months

CD of Live 90-Minute Telephone Conference with an Interactive Q&A Session Conducted on September 22, 2005 Now available on CD

In the six months since President Bush signed into law the Class Action Fairness Act (CAFA), both plaintiffs and defendants have sought to take advantage of CAFA. CAFA limits plaintiffs’ ability to forum shop and channels large, multi-state class action lawsuits into federal court.

The bill’s reforms were intended to stop a pattern of abuse and provide consumer protections. Has CAFA been able to make inroads to that end? Has CAFA worked to assure fairer outcomes for class members and defendants?

Listen as our authoritative panelists offer their perspectives on how the Class Action Fairness Act is being applied and is evolving through court interpretations:

The panelists will consider these and other key questions:

• What are the major benefits and limitations – for both sides of the table - resulting from CAFA since it was signed into law?
• Has the application of CAFA affected class action suits as some feared (or hoped) - such as federal courts clogged with class actions or severe limits on class actions?
• How are courts interpreting various key provisions of CAFA – in areas such as removal to federal courts, determinations of when a civil action is "commenced," and the exercise of supplemental jurisdiction?
• What are the practical considerations and effective strategies for litigators managing complex suits under the purview of CAFA?

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