throbber
Case 2:20-cv-00424-RAJ Document 84 Filed 01/09/23 Page 1 of 18
`
`The Honorable Richard A. Jones
`
`UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
`AT SEATTLE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`No. 2:20-cv-00424-RAJ
`
`
`MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF
`INTERIM CO-LEAD CLASS COUNSEL
`AND PLAINTIFFS’ EXECUTIVE
`COMMITTEE
`
`NOTE FOR MOTION CALENDAR:
`January 27, 2023
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`26
`27
`28
`
`DEBORAH FRAME-WILSON, CHRISTIAN
`SABOL, SAMANTHIA RUSSELL, ARTHUR
`SCHAREIN, LIONEL KEROS, NATHAN
`CHANEY, CHRIS GULLEY, SHERYL
`TAYLOR-HOLLY, ANTHONY COURTNEY,
`DAVE WESTROPE, STACY DUTILL,
`SARAH ARRINGTON, MARY ELLIOT,
`HEATHER GEESEY, STEVE MORTILLARO,
`CHAUNDA LEWIS, ADRIAN HENNEN,
`GLENDA R. HILL, GAIL MURPHY,
`PHYLLIS HUSTER, and GERRY
`KOCHENDORFER, on behalf of themselves
`and all others similarly situated,
`
`
`
`
`
`AMAZON.COM, INC., a Delaware corporation,
`
`
`
`
`
`Plaintiffs,
`
`Defendant.
`
`v.
`
`
`
`
`MOTION TO APPOINT LEADERSHIP
`Case No. 2:20-cv-00424-RAJ
`010888-11/2120173 V2
`
`1301 SECOND AVENUE, SUITE 2000, SEATTLE, WA 98101
`206.623.7292 206.623.0594 FAX
`
`
`
`

`

`Case 2:20-cv-00424-RAJ Document 84 Filed 01/09/23 Page 2 of 18
`
`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`
`Page
`
`INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................1 
`
`STATEMENT OF FACTS ..................................................................................................1 
`
`LEGAL STANDARD ..........................................................................................................2 
`
`ARGUMENT .......................................................................................................................3 
`
`A. 
`
`B. 
`
`C. 
`
`D. 
`
`Counsel Have Already Done Substantial Work To Litigate
`Amazon’s MFN Clause............................................................................................3 
`
`Counsel Have Significant Experience With Complex Class Actions
`And Deep Knowledge Of Antitrust Law And Problems Posed By
`Large Technology Firms ..........................................................................................4 
`
`1. 
`
`2. 
`
`3. 
`
`4. 
`
`Hagens Berman ............................................................................................5 
`
`Keller Postman .............................................................................................6 
`
`Quinn Emanuel ............................................................................................8 
`
`Keller Rohrback .........................................................................................10 
`
`Counsel Will Bring Extensive Human and Financial Resources to
`Litigate These Proposed Class Actions..................................................................11 
`
`Counsel Bring Diverse Backgrounds, Experiences, And
`Perspectives To The Case ......................................................................................12 
`
`CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................................12 
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`I. 
`
`II. 
`
`III. 
`
`IV. 
`
`V. 
`
`
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`26
`27
`28
`
`MOTION TO APPOINT LEADERSHIP - i
`Case No. 2:20-cv-00424-RAJ
`010888-11/2120173 V2
`
`1301 SECOND AVENUE, SUITE 2000, SEATTLE, WA 98101
`206.623.7292 206.623.0594 FAX
`
`
`
`

`

`Case 2:20-cv-00424-RAJ Document 84 Filed 01/09/23 Page 3 of 18
`
`
`
`TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
`
`CASES
`
`Page(s)
`
`McFadden v. Microsoft Corp.,
`2020 WL 5642822 (W.D. Wash. Sept. 22, 2020) ......................................................................2
`
`In re Stubhub Refund Litig.,
`2020 WL 8669823 (N.D. Cal. Nov. 18, 2020) ..........................................................................1
`
`In re WorldCom, Inc. ERISA Litig.,
`2004 WL 2338151 (S.D.N.Y. Oct. 18, 2004) ..........................................................................10
`
`OTHER AUTHORITIES
`
`Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(g)(1)(B) ............................................................................................................12
`
`Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(g)(1)(A)(i) ..........................................................................................................3
`
`Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(g)(1)(A)(ii)-(iii) ..................................................................................................4
`
`Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(g)(1)(A)(iv) ......................................................................................................11
`
`
`
`MOTION TO APPOINT LEADERSHIP - ii
`Case No. 2:20-cv-00424-RAJ
`010888-11/2120173 V2
`
`1301 SECOND AVENUE, SUITE 2000, SEATTLE, WA 98101
`206.623.7292 206.623.0594 FAX
`
`
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`26
`27
`28
`
`

`

`Case 2:20-cv-00424-RAJ Document 84 Filed 01/09/23 Page 4 of 18
`
`
`
`I.
`INTRODUCTION
`Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(g)(3), the Court “may designate interim
`counsel to act on behalf of a putative class before determining whether to certify the action as a
`class action.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 23. The court should “designate interim counsel during the pre-
`certification period if necessary to protect the interests of the putative class.” In re Stubhub
`Refund Litig., 2020 WL 8669823, at *1 (N.D. Cal. Nov. 18, 2020). Appointment of lead counsel
`is necessary because Plaintiffs recently learned of a substantially similar proposed class action
`recently filed in the Southern District of New York. See Dkt. 80. To avoid duplicative efforts,
`minimize costs, and avoid risks to the Class by conflicting representation, Plaintiffs seek leave to
`appoint their counsel as interim lead counsel. Plaintiffs further propose a leadership structure for
`the current proposed class action, consisting of Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP (“Hagens
`Berman”) and Keller Postman LLC (“Keller Postman”) as Interim Co-Lead Class Counsel, as
`well as Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP (“Quinn Emanuel”) and Keller Rohrback
`L.L.P. (“Keller Rohrback”) as members of a Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee (“PEC”).
`These appointments are warranted pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(g)(3).
`The above firms have already invested substantial time and resources to investigate, file, and
`litigate the claims at issue in the proposed class actions. They have deep experience prosecuting
`complex class actions and antitrust cases and will bring that experience, and the firms’ vast
`resources, to these cases. Counsel will coordinate closely with one another to prosecute the class
`actions efficiently and effectively, without duplication of effort, and will represent the diversity
`of our society and the legal profession with their varied backgrounds and experiences. Plaintiffs,
`therefore, respectfully request that the Court adopt the proposed leadership structure.
`II.
`STATEMENT OF FACTS
`The above firms are counsel in the current action on behalf of consumers who were
`harmed by Amazon’s anticompetitive conduct. In March 2020, Plaintiffs filed a complaint
`alleging that in Amazon’s agreement with third-party merchants that sell products on its
`platform, Amazon imposed a “most favored nation” (MFN) clause to prevent those merchants
`from selling their products for lower prices on competing online platforms. This resulted in
`
`MOTION TO APPOINT LEADERSHIP - 1
`Case No. 2:20-cv-00424-RAJ
`010888-11/2120173 V2
`
`1301 SECOND AVENUE, SUITE 2000, SEATTLE, WA 98101
`206.623.7292 206.623.0594 FAX
`
`
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`26
`27
`28
`
`

`

`Case 2:20-cv-00424-RAJ Document 84 Filed 01/09/23 Page 5 of 18
`
`
`
`supra-competitive prices for those products, both on Amazon’s platform and on competing
`online platforms. In March 2022, the Court denied Amazon’s motion to dismiss Plaintiffs’
`federal monopoly and rule of reason antitrust claims and allowed Plaintiffs to amend their
`dismissed claims (Dkt. 48). While Amazon’s motion to dismiss Plaintiffs’ amended claims is
`pending before this Court, after the Court granted Plaintiffs’ motion to compel Amazon’s
`participation in a 26(f) conference (Dkt. 63), the parties have proceeded to discovery over the
`last several months. See Dkt. 70 (discovery case schedule). Meanwhile, Plaintiffs’ counsel first
`learned on December 30 of the substantially similar action filed in the Southern District of New
`York in November 2022—nearly three years after the filing of the instant action.
`The proposed leadership structure fairly recognizes Hagens Berman’s and Keller
`Rohrback’s innovative work in filing the original consumer class action against Amazon, and
`Keller Postman’s and Quinn Emanuel’s role furthering the litigation. All Plaintiffs also agree that
`this leadership structure will facilitate the efficient and successful litigation of all proposed class
`actions, particularly given that the four firms in the proposed leadership structure also serve as
`counsel in the related case, De Coster, et al. v. Amazon.com, Inc., 2:20-cv-00424-RAJ (W.D.
`Wash.) (the “De Coster” action).
`III. LEGAL STANDARD
`Rule 23(g)(3) allows the Court to designate interim class counsel “to act on behalf of a
`putative class before determining whether to certify a matter as a class action.” McFadden v.
`Microsoft Corp., 2020 WL 5642822, at *1 (W.D. Wash. Sept. 22, 2020). “Factors relevant to the
`appointment of counsel include: ‘(i) the work counsel has done in identifying or investigating
`potential claims in the action; (ii) counsel’s experience in handling class actions, other complex
`litigation, and the types of claims asserted in the action; (iii) counsel’s knowledge of the
`applicable law; and (iv) the resources that counsel will commit to representing the class.’” Id.
`(quoting Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(g)(1)(A)). In addition, “[t]he Court may also ‘consider any other
`matter pertinent to counsel’s ability to fairly and adequately represent the interests of the class.’”
`Id. (quoting Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(g)(1)(B)). This includes consideration of whether the leadership
`team reflects the diversity of the class and the legal bar.
`
`MOTION TO APPOINT LEADERSHIP - 2
`Case No. 2:20-cv-00424-RAJ
`010888-11/2120173 V2
`
`1301 SECOND AVENUE, SUITE 2000, SEATTLE, WA 98101
`206.623.7292 206.623.0594 FAX
`
`
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`26
`27
`28
`
`

`

`Case 2:20-cv-00424-RAJ Document 84 Filed 01/09/23 Page 6 of 18
`
`
`
`A.
`
`IV. ARGUMENT
`Counsel Have Already Done Substantial Work To Litigate Amazon’s MFN Clause
`Hagens Berman, Keller Postman, Quinn Emanuel, and Keller Rohrback have each
`already expended significant resources to investigate and to pursue antitrust claims arising out of
`Amazon’s MFN clause. Rule 23(g)(1)(A)(i)—“the work counsel has done in identifying or
`investigating potential claims in the action”—thus strongly favors their leadership appointments.
`Hagens Berman filed the instant action on March 19, 2020, and led the litigation. The
`50-page original complaint reflects Hagens Berman’s extensive pre-filing factual investigation
`into Amazon’s MFN clause and its anticompetitive effects, and a careful legal analysis of the
`relevant markets in which Amazon operates and has harmed competition. Hagens Berman
`further invested significant resources, and has continued to investigate and refine allegations of
`Amazon’s antitrust violations, as reflected in its 90-page amended complaint and in leading
`Plaintiffs’ opposition to Amazon’s motion to dismiss (Dkts. 15 and 19). This Court denied in
`part Amazon’s motion (Dkt. 48) and “allowed much of Plaintiff’s case to move forward.” (Dkt.
`63). Hagens Berman has continued to lead the litigation in the discovery phase and in preparation
`for Plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. The firm was appointed co-lead with Keller Postman
`in the related De Coster action.
`Keller Postman has assisted in discovery and motion practice and was appointed co-lead
`counsel in the related De Coster action. Keller Postman has litigated Amazon’s anticompetitive
`conduct and the effects of its MFN clause on behalf of close to 50,000 Amazon consumers in
`individual arbitrations. Declaration of Zina Bash in Support of Motion for Appointment of
`Interim Lead Counsel and Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee (“Bash Decl.”), at ¶ 8. The firm
`began filing arbitration demands on behalf of those consumers in January 2021. Id. Before that,
`Keller Postman had spent months investigating the anticompetitive nature of Amazon’s MFN
`clause and the harmful effects on Amazon’s customers. Id. As in the complaints at issue here, the
`50,000 consumers whom Keller Postman represented in arbitration alleged that they overpaid for
`products on Amazon because of Amazon’s MFN clause. Id.
`
`MOTION TO APPOINT LEADERSHIP - 3
`Case No. 2:20-cv-00424-RAJ
`010888-11/2120173 V2
`
`1301 SECOND AVENUE, SUITE 2000, SEATTLE, WA 98101
`206.623.7292 206.623.0594 FAX
`
`
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`26
`27
`28
`
`

`

`Case 2:20-cv-00424-RAJ Document 84 Filed 01/09/23 Page 7 of 18
`
`
`
`What’s more, it was Keller Postman’s innovative arbitration practice that made possible
`the consumer class actions against Amazon at issue here. For years, Amazon had imposed on its
`consumers a mandatory arbitration provision that specifically prohibited class actions. This
`changed only when Keller Postman filed tens of thousands of individual arbitration demands
`against Amazon, including demands raising the same antitrust theories at issue in De Coster and
`West. The pressure created by Keller Postman’s vigorous arbitration demands prompted Amazon
`to withdraw its mandatory arbitration provision, allowing the De Coster and West Plaintiffs to
`pursue their claims in court. See Sara Randazzo, Amazon Faced 75,000 Arbitration Demands.
`Now It Says: Fine, Sue Us, WALL STREET J. (June 1, 2021), https://www.wsj.com/articles/
`amazon-faced-75-000-arbitration-demands-now-it-says-fine-sue-us-11622547000.
`Quinn Emanuel and Keller Rohrback have also invested significant resources litigating
`Amazon’s anticompetitive restrictions. Quinn Emanuel was co-counsel with Keller Postman in
`litigating many of the tens of thousands of individual arbitration demands against Amazon that
`resulted in Amazon removing its arbitration clause, and has assisted in motion practice and
`discovery in this action, and Keller Rohrback coordinated with Hagens Berman to file and
`litigate this action since it was filed in March 2020. Quinn Emanuel and Keller Rohrback have
`been appointed to the executive committee in the De Coster action. Declaration of Steig D.
`Olson in Support of Motion for Appointment of Interim Lead Counsel and Plaintiffs’ Executive
`Committee (“Olson Decl.”), ¶¶ 3-4.
`
`B.
`
`Counsel Have Significant Experience With Complex Class Actions And Deep
`Knowledge Of Antitrust Law And Problems Posed By Large Technology Firms
`
`Hagens Berman, Keller Postman, Quinn Emanuel, and Keller Rohrback have vast
`experience with and knowledge of antitrust cases. Together, counsel represent the most robust
`team of lawyers that could be assembled to litigate an antitrust class action against one of the
`world’s biggest companies. Rule 23(g)(1)(A)(ii)-(iii)—“counsel’s experience in handling class
`actions, other complex litigation, and the types of claims asserted in the action” and “counsel’s
`knowledge of the applicable law”—strongly favors the proposed leadership structure.
`
`MOTION TO APPOINT LEADERSHIP - 4
`Case No. 2:20-cv-00424-RAJ
`010888-11/2120173 V2
`
`1301 SECOND AVENUE, SUITE 2000, SEATTLE, WA 98101
`206.623.7292 206.623.0594 FAX
`
`
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`26
`27
`28
`
`

`

`Case 2:20-cv-00424-RAJ Document 84 Filed 01/09/23 Page 8 of 18
`
`
`
`1.
`Hagens Berman
`Hagens Berman has decades of experience representing class plaintiffs in antitrust cases,
`which has culminated in several awards and its current prominent role in some of the nation’s
`biggest ongoing antitrust class actions. Declaration of Steve W. Berman in Support of Motion for
`Appointment of Interim Lead Counsel and Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee (“Berman Decl.”), ¶
`4 and Ex. A (firm resume). As two recent examples, acting as lead counsel, Hagens Berman
`recently settled app developers’ claims against both Google and Apple in In re Google Play
`Store Antitrust Litig., No. 3:21-md-02981-JD (N.D. Cal.), and Cameron v. Apple Inc., No. 4:19-
`03074-YGR (N.D. Cal.), in cases alleging that these tech giants wrongfully obtained monopoly
`power over the distribution of apps and in-app products, collectively settling for $185 million.
`Hagens Berman is co-lead counsel in Klein v. Meta Platforms Inc, No. 5:20-cv-08570 (N.D.
`Cal.), a class action, alleging that Facebook exploited user data to maintain its market power. Id.
`¶ 7; Ex. B (listing examples of the firm’s antitrust cases).
`
`Steve Berman is the founding partner of Hagens Berman and the nationwide managing
`partner of its nine offices. Id. ¶ 1. Mr. Berman has served as lead or co-lead counsel in antitrust,
`securities, consumer, products liability, and employment class actions, and complex litigations
`too numerous to count. Id. ¶ 4. For example, Mr. Berman served as co-lead trial and appellate
`counsel in Alston v. National Collegiate Athletic Association (In re NCAA Ath. Grant-In-Aid Cap
`Antitrust Litig.), No. 14-md-02541-CW (N.D. Cal.). Mr. Berman obtained a $208 million
`damages settlement on behalf of tens of thousands of current and former NCAA Division 1
`college athletes and prevailed at a separate trial on injunctive relief. A unanimous Supreme Court
`affirmed the injunction prohibiting the NCAA from restricting the education-related benefits that
`its members may offer student athletes under the rule of reason and rejected the NCAA’s request
`that its compensation restrictions be analyzed under an extremely deferential standard. Id. ¶ 3.
`Mr. Berman has a record of securing significant settlements for plaintiffs. As co-lead counsel,
`with only one other firm, in In re Visa Check/Mastercard Antitrust Litig., No. 96-cv-05238
`(E.D.N.Y.), he secured a settlement on the eve of trial for over $3 billion in cash and over $20
`billion in injunctive relief, making it one of the largest antitrust settlements in history. Id. Mr.
`MOTION TO APPOINT LEADERSHIP - 5
`Case No. 2:20-cv-00424-RAJ
`010888-11/2120173 V2
`
`1301 SECOND AVENUE, SUITE 2000, SEATTLE, WA 98101
`206.623.7292 206.623.0594 FAX
`
`
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`26
`27
`28
`
`

`

`Case 2:20-cv-00424-RAJ Document 84 Filed 01/09/23 Page 9 of 18
`
`
`
`Berman and his firm also represented 13 states in the historic litigation against the tobacco
`industry and served as co-lead trial counsel to secure a global settlement worth $206 billion, still
`the largest recovery in history. Id. ¶ 5. In In re Toyota Motor Corp. Unintended Acceleration
`Marketing, Sales Practices, & Products Liability Litigation, No.10-ml-2151 JVS (FMOx) (C.D.
`Cal.), the court sua sponte identified Mr. Berman as a presumptive co-lead counsel. Id.; see also
`¶¶ 4-5 (other notable cases and awards). Mr. Berman is also counsel in the related De Coster
`action, where the firm was appointed interim co-lead.
`Barbara Mahoney is an attorney at Hagens Berman and counsel in the related De Coster
`action, and in In Re Amazon.com, Inc. eBook Antitrust Litigation, No. 1:21-cv-351-GHW-DCF
`(S.D.N.Y), where the firm was also appointed interim lead counsel on behalf of a proposed class
`action against Amazon and the five largest trade book publishers for conspiring to fix the price of
`eBooks. Id. ¶ 8. She is also counsel in two other antitrust class action lawsuits against Amazon
`and in In Re: Generic Pharmaceuticals Pricing Antitrust Multi-District Litigation, No. 2:16-md-
`02724 (E.D. Pa.), where the firm was appointed to the interim direct purchaser steering
`committee in a multi-district class action litigation alleging conspiracies among dozens of
`generic drug manufacturers to fix the prices of over 150 generic drugs. Id. ¶¶ 8-9; see also id
`(listing other notable cases).
`2.
`Keller Postman
`After being formed in 2018 by veterans of the defense bar, Keller Postman has become
`one of the leading complex litigation firms for plaintiffs. See Bash Decl. ¶ 2, Ex. F (firm
`resume). The firm serves hundreds of thousands of clients in litigation and arbitration matters
`and acts as plaintiffs’ counsel in high-stakes class and public-enforcement actions. Keller
`Postman’s complex litigation practice includes high-profile antitrust and consumer-rights cases.
`See id. ¶¶ 4-5, Ex. F. For example, the firm represents several States in a multi-state antitrust
`case against Google, The State of Texas, et al. v. Google, LLC, No. 4:20-cv-00957 (E.D. Tex.).
`The firm is also lead counsel in a class action against LinkedIn for its inflated ad metrics,
`TopDevz, LLC, et al. v. LinkedIn Corp., 5:20-cv-08324-SVK (N.D. Cal.).
`
`MOTION TO APPOINT LEADERSHIP - 6
`Case No. 2:20-cv-00424-RAJ
`010888-11/2120173 V2
`
`1301 SECOND AVENUE, SUITE 2000, SEATTLE, WA 98101
`206.623.7292 206.623.0594 FAX
`
`
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`26
`27
`28
`
`

`

`Case 2:20-cv-00424-RAJ Document 84 Filed 01/09/23 Page 10 of 18
`
`
`
`Keller Postman’s lawyers have been recognized nationally for developing
`groundbreaking legal arguments and strategies. For example, the firm has pioneered the strategy
`of pursuing individual arbitrations for tens of thousands of employees and consumers
`simultaneously, which, as reported by the New York Times, has left defendants “scared to death.”
`See Bash Decl., Ex. F. In connection with that practice, and in thwarting a defendant’s attempt to
`avoid its own arbitration clause, a judge of the L.A. Superior Court recently praised the firm’s
`work, commenting “Let’s give [the] … Keller Firm … a toast. Good work.” Id. ¶ 4, Ex. C. The
`firm has won numerous precedent-setting victories requiring defendants to comply with
`arbitration obligations they impose on customers and associates.
`Zina G. Bash is a Partner at Keller Postman, where she founded the firm’s Texas office.
`Before joining the firm, Ms. Bash served as senior counsel to the Texas Attorney General. In that
`capacity, she coordinated major multi-state cases with attorneys general across the country, and
`she advised on significant litigation and antitrust matters. Previously, she practiced as a litigator
`at the Washington D.C. office of Gibson Dunn. Ms. Bash also served as a law clerk to Justice
`Samuel Alito of the U.S. Supreme Court and Justice Brett Kavanaugh when he sat on the U.S.
`Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Ms. Bash was born in Monterrey, Mexico and is a native
`Spanish speaker.
`Ms. Bash is counsel in the related De Coster case. Ms. Bash is counsel for the States of
`Texas, Idaho, Indiana, Mississippi, North Dakota, South Carolina, and South Dakota in the
`multi-state antitrust litigation against Google mentioned above. She also represents the State of
`Texas in an enforcement action against Meta Platforms, Inc. regarding its collection and use of
`biometric identifiers, The State of Texas v. Meta Platforms, Inc., No. 22-0121 (Harrison Cty.).
`She was also part of the Keller Postman team that repress.ented tens of thousands of claimants
`pursuing antitrust claims against Amazon in individual arbitrations. More broadly, Ms. Bash has
`served as counsel or advisor for public-entity plaintiffs in numerous high-profile and complex
`matters. Bash Decl. ¶ 10. Ms. Bash has received several awards for her work, including an award
`for minority women in leadership positions by Profiles in Diversity Journal. She has been named
`
`MOTION TO APPOINT LEADERSHIP - 7
`Case No. 2:20-cv-00424-RAJ
`010888-11/2120173 V2
`
`1301 SECOND AVENUE, SUITE 2000, SEATTLE, WA 98101
`206.623.7292 206.623.0594 FAX
`
`
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`26
`27
`28
`
`

`

`Case 2:20-cv-00424-RAJ Document 84 Filed 01/09/23 Page 11 of 18
`
`
`
`a Plaintiffs’ Attorney Trailblazer and an Elite Woman of the Plaintiffs’ Bar by The National Law
`Journal, and a Trailblazer in the South by The American Lawyer.
`Warren D. Postman is the Managing Partner of Keller Postman. He has been recognized
`by Lawdragon as one of the 500 Leading Lawyers in America and was selected as one of the
`National Law Journal’s Plaintiff’s Lawyers Trailblazers for his work building the firm’s mass
`arbitration practice. Mr. Postman has also been recognized by Chambers & Partners with an
`esteemed Band 1 ranking in the Litigation: Mainly Plaintiffs category for the District of
`Columbia. Before joining the firm, Mr. Postman was Vice President and Chief Counsel for
`Appellate Litigation at the U.S. Chamber Litigation Center and an attorney at Jones Day. Mr.
`Postman served as a law clerk to Justice David Souter at the U.S. Supreme Court and Judge
`William A. Fletcher of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
`Mr. Postman is counsel in the related De Coster case. Mr. Postman has litigated major
`antitrust matters for both defendants and plaintiffs. For example, he represented Sirius XM in its
`defense of private antitrust claims in Blessing v. Sirius XM, No. 09-cv-10035 (S.D.N.Y.). He also
`represents several States in the litigation against Google, as well as consumer plaintiffs pursuing
`antitrust claims against Live Nation and Ticketmaster in Olivia Van Iderstine, et al. v. Live
`Nation Entertainment, Inc., et al., No. 2:20-cv-03888 (C.D. Cal.). Mr. Postman also led the
`representation of over 100,000 clients who pursued antitrust claims in individual arbitrations.
`Jessica B. Beringer is an Associate at the firm, where she represents clients in high-
`stakes disputes, including consumer and antitrust matters. Ms. Beringer is a graduate of the
`University of Virginia School of Law and represents the State of Texas in the enforcement
`matter mentioned above.
`3.
`Quinn Emanuel
`Quinn Emanuel is the world’s largest law firm devoted solely to business litigation.
`Quinn Emanuel has been named a “litigation powerhouse” by The American Lawyer, a “global
`force in litigation” by The Wall Street Journal, one of “The Four Firms that GCs Fear The Most”
`by BTI Consulting Group, a “Tier One” antitrust practice by Benchmark Litigation, “Antitrust
`Litigation Department of the Year” by The Recorder, and “Class Action Group of the Year” by
`
`MOTION TO APPOINT LEADERSHIP - 8
`Case No. 2:20-cv-00424-RAJ
`010888-11/2120173 V2
`
`1301 SECOND AVENUE, SUITE 2000, SEATTLE, WA 98101
`206.623.7292 206.623.0594 FAX
`
`
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`26
`27
`28
`
`

`

`Case 2:20-cv-00424-RAJ Document 84 Filed 01/09/23 Page 12 of 18
`
`
`
`Law360. Olson Decl., Exs. H-L. Quinn Emanuel has a long string of victories on behalf of
`antitrust and class plaintiffs and defendants. See, e.g., In re Credit Default Swaps Antitrust Litig.,
`No. 13-md-02476 (S.D.N.Y.) (obtaining over $1.87 billion in settlements); ISDAfix Antitrust
`Litig., No. 14-cv-7126 (S.D.N.Y.) (obtaining more than $500 million in settlements); see also
`Olson Decl. ¶¶ 6-7 (listing cases). Quinn Emanuel currently serves on the executive committee
`in the related De Coster action, and as interim co-lead counsel in In re Valve Antitrust Litigation,
`No. 2:21-cv-044563-JCC (W.D. Wash.). Olson Decl. ¶ 4.
`Steig D. Olson was one of the principal attorneys in In re: Credit Default Swaps Antitrust
`Litigation, resulting in one of the largest antitrust class actions in history. See Olson Decl. ¶ 8.
`The mediator there declared that “this was one of the finest examples of efficient and effective
`lawyering by plaintiffs’ counsel that I have ever witnessed.” Id.; see also id. ¶ 9 (discussing Mr.
`Olson’s involvement in ISDAfix Antitrust Litigation); Olson Decl., Ex. T (Mr. Olson’s firm
`profile). Mr. Olson was named a “Rising Star” in the field of competition law by legal journal
`Law360 and a “Leading Lawyer” by Legal 500 USA. Id., Exs. M-N. In 2021, he was awarded a
`Chambers rating for Antitrust: Mainly Plaintiff, where he was described as “fantastic, whip-
`smart and an incredible writer.” Id., Ex. O. Following his graduation from Harvard Law School,
`he clerked on the Northern District of California, for Judge Vaughn R. Walker, and on the
`Second Circuit, for Judge Barrington D. Parker, Jr. See id. ¶ 11. He is also counsel in the related
`De Coster action.
`Adam B. Wolfson currently serves on the Executive Committee in In re 3M Combat
`Arms Earplug Products Liability Litig., No. 19-md-2885 (N.D. Fla.), a mass tort seeking
`compensation for over 250,000 former service members injured by defective earplugs, see Olson
`Decl. ¶ 13, and has played significant roles in a number of other antitrust and class actions
`including Mackmin, et al. v. Visa Inc., et al., No. 11-cv-01831 (D.D.C.), and Polyurethane Foam
`Antitrust Litig., No. 10-md-02196 (N.D. Ohio), see Olson Decl. ¶ 14 (listing cases); Olson Decl.,
`Ex. U (Mr. Wolfson’s firm profile). Mr. Wolfson has also taken class actions to final judgment,
`including recovering $5.4 billion for two classes of health insurers. See Olson Decl. ¶ 16. Mr.
`Wolfson has been named an “MVP” and a “Rising Star” in the field of class actions by Law360,
`
`MOTION TO APPOINT LEADERSHIP - 9
`Case No. 2:20-cv-00424-RAJ
`010888-11/2120173 V2
`
`1301 SECOND AVENUE, SUITE 2000, SEATTLE, WA 98101
`206.623.7292 206.623.0594 FAX
`
`
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`26
`27
`28
`
`

`

`Case 2:20-cv-00424-RAJ Document 84 Filed 01/09/23 Page 13 of 18
`
`
`
`listed among the top 500 plaintiffs’ financial lawyers in the nation by Lawdragon, and as one of
`the “key lawyers” in Quinn Emanuel’s ranked antitrust defense practice by Legal 500 USA. Id.,
`Exs. P-S. He is also counsel in the related De Coster action.
`Alicia Cobb is a partner in and heads up Quinn Emanuel’s Seattle office. Ms. Cobb
`represents plaintiffs in significant antitrust cases including the related De Coster action against
`Amazon, In re Valve Antitrust Litigation, No. 2:21-cv-044563-JCC (W.D. Wash.), The Home
`Depot v. Visa Inc., et al., No. 16-cv-5507 (E.D.N.Y), and In re Rail Freight Fuel Surcharge
`Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 1869 (D.D.C.). See Olson Decl. ¶¶ 17-19. Ms. Cobb clerked for
`Judge Edward R. Korman in the Eastern District of New York. See Olson Decl. ¶ 21; Olson
`Decl., Ex. V (Ms. Cobb’s firm profile).
`4.
`Keller Rohrback
`Keller Rohrback has three decades of experience representing plaintiffs in large-scale,
`complex cases involving corporate wrongdoing, and has recovered nearly $50 billion for its
`clients to date. Courts nationwide have appointed Keller Rohrback attorneys to leadership
`positions in many of the most competitive, newsworthy, and high-stakes cases across the
`country. Declaration of Derek Loeser in Support of Motion for Appointment of Interim Lead
`Counsel and Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee (“Loeser Decl.”), ¶¶ 3-4, 10. Keller Rohrback’s
`experience and ability in managing class actions has been recognized in numerous published
`opinions. See, e.g., In re WorldCom, Inc. ERISA Litig., 2004 WL 2338151, at *10 (S.D.N.Y. Oct.
`18, 2004) (“Lead Counsel [Keller Rohrback] has performed an important public service in this
`action and has done so efficiently and with integrity. It has cooperated completely and in novel
`ways with Lead Counsel for the Securities Litigation, and in doing so all of them have worked to
`reduce legal expenses and maximize recovery for class members.”).
`Derek Loeser is a senior partner at Keller Rohrback and a member of the firm’s
`Executive Committee. Mr. Loeser maintains a national practice prosecuting class actions and
`large-scale individual cases, and he frequently serves in a leadership role. He has recently been
`appointed lead or co-lead counsel in complex matters involving the Wells Fargo unauthorized
`account scandal and the MDL stemming from the Facebook/Cambridge Analytica scandal,
`
`MOTION TO APPOINT LEADERSHIP - 10
`Case No. 2:20-cv-00424-RAJ
`010888-11/2120173 V2
`
`1301 SECOND AVENUE, SUITE 2000, SEATTLE, WA 98101
`206.623.7292 206.623.0594 FAX
`
`
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10

This document is available on Docket Alarm but you must sign up to view it.


Or .

Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.

After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.

Accept $ Charge
throbber

Still Working On It

This document is taking longer than usual to download. This can happen if we need to contact the court directly to obtain the document and their servers are running slowly.

Give it another minute or two to complete, and then try the refresh button.

throbber

A few More Minutes ... Still Working

It can take up to 5 minutes for us to download a document if the court servers are running slowly.

Thank you for your continued patience.

This document could not be displayed.

We could not find this document within its docket. Please go back to the docket page and check the link. If that does not work, go back to the docket and refresh it to pull the newest information.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

You need a Paid Account to view this document. Click here to change your account type.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

Set your membership status to view this document.

With a Docket Alarm membership, you'll get a whole lot more, including:

  • Up-to-date information for this case.
  • Email alerts whenever there is an update.
  • Full text search for other cases.
  • Get email alerts whenever a new case matches your search.

Become a Member

One Moment Please

The filing “” is large (MB) and is being downloaded.

Please refresh this page in a few minutes to see if the filing has been downloaded. The filing will also be emailed to you when the download completes.

Your document is on its way!

If you do not receive the document in five minutes, contact support at support@docketalarm.com.

Sealed Document

We are unable to display this document, it may be under a court ordered seal.

If you have proper credentials to access the file, you may proceed directly to the court's system using your government issued username and password.


Access Government Site

We are redirecting you
to a mobile optimized page.





Document Unreadable or Corrupt

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket

We are unable to display this document.

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket