Andra B. Greene has developed a knack for knocking out consumer class actions at the early stages and often has done so by taking hard-hitting depositions of class representatives.
"Many times we have found that they didn't even know what they were purchasing or could not remember anything," said Greene, head of Irell & Manella LLP's class action defense practice.
She recalled one time where a class representative admitted in their deposition they were wrong for joining the suit and felt bad about doing so.
Her success has led to some high-profile clients retaining her, including Uber Technologies Inc.
Greene helped Uber secure partial dismissal last year of a federal lawsuit brought in the Northern District by taxi companies alleging the ride-sharing company falsely advertised the safety of rides on its uberX platform.
"The basic principles of a solid class-action defense apply, but you have to adapt for the development of technology in the changing world," Greene said.
Her in-depth research of plaintiffs continues even if class certification is granted, with a prime example being how she handled a false advertising class action filed in the Central District against her client NaturalCare.
She discovered the plaintiff who sued the homeopathic and dietary supplement company had filed for bankruptcy without telling the court. The judge agreed with Greene that the plaintiff lost ownership of her claims to her estate when she filed for bankruptcy, so the class was decertified and the plaintiff's claims were dismissed with prejudice.
- Lyle Moran
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