May 25, 2017
Maureen E. Mueller
See more on Maureen E. MuellerRobbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP San Diego
Mueller focuses on complex securities litigation, and has successfully prosecuted several high-profile securities class actions that resulted in record-breaking recoveries. She has helped recover more than $3 billion for investors.
One case has spanned her career at Robbins Geller. In litigation that began in 2002 - before Mueller began at the University of San Diego School of Law - Household International shareholders accused the lender of inflating its share price by concealing its poor lending practices and loan quality. Jaffe v. Household Int'l Inc., 02-C-05893 (7th Cir. Oct. 20, 2016).
Mueller began working on the securities class action as a junior associate in 2008. She was one of the lead attorneys that handled a six-week jury trial in 2009 that resulted in a verdict for plaintiffs. The jury found that Household International Inc. and company executives collectively made 17 false and misleading statements concerning the lender's financial results and operations.
The verdict was reversed in part in 2015, and in May 2016, the trial team moved to Chicago to try the case again. Just hours before the second trial was set to begin, a $1.575 billion settlement was reached.
It's the largest securities class action recovery ever obtained following a trial, the largest securities fraud settlement in the 7th Circuit and the seventh-largest settlement ever in a securities fraud class action case.
"What I find so inspiring and fulfilling about that case was the ability to see it through to the end, after 14 years of litigation. It was extremely hard-fought litigation," Mueller said. "To finally have a recovery for the class and to be part of that for more than half of the 14 years that the case was litigated was just a really great opportunity and extremely fulfilling."
In other high-stakes cases, Mueller served as counsel and obtained $627 million in In re Wachovia Preferred Securities and Bond/Notes Litigation, one of the largest credit crisis recoveries involving Securities Act claims. She was also a member of the team of attorneys responsible for recovering $925 million for investors in the UnitedHealth Group Inc. class action, In re UnitedHealth Grp. Inc. PSLRA Litigation, 06-CV-1691 (D. Minn. July 1, 2008).
- Jennifer Chung Klam
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