class actions settlements

The Ninth Circuit’s holding in Concepcion v. AT&T Mobility, barring an arbitration clause that prohibits class actions as "unconscionable," rests upon a belief in the exceptionalism of class actions, namely, that they are a uniquely superior form of dispute resolution the availability of which is necessary to vindicate consumer rights. But, as the Center’s experience indicates, class actions are far from an exceptional vehicle for providing consumers with meaningful access to justice.  Yesterday, the Center filed an amicus brief in the Supreme Court case of AT&T Mobility v. Concepcion (No. 08-893) in support of the petitioners.  O'Melveny & Myers attorneys Brian Brooks, Charles Borden, and R. Seth Davis did a phenomenal job with the brief, and we're grateful for their help.  Public Citizen, which ironically represents the anti-consumer/anti-arbitration/pro-trial-lawyer side in the name of paternalism, has a page devoted to the case withf links and resources, though the weight of those links and resources is pro-paternalism; the left side of the blogosphere has paid far more attention to this case than the right side.  Among the briefs is one filed by a number of law professors I know and admire, including (but not limited to) Randy Barnett, Henry Butler, Richard Epstein, Michael Krauss, Geoff Manne, Michael Moreland, Larry Ribstein, and Josh Wright; it raises important points about unconscionability and freedom of contract.