On April 12, 2019, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (“SJC”) issued a ruling that clarified many outstanding questions in class action practice in Massachusetts. In Gammella v. P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Inc., 482 Mass. 1 (2019), the SJC provided guidance on: (1) the standard for class certification under the Massachusetts ... Read More
Tag: class action
24
Jul2017
Across the country, employers are requiring employees to sign agreements waiving any right to be part of a class action. These class action waivers have been the subject of substantial litigation as the stakes are high on all sides, and Courts across the country have given varied opinions. ... Read More
July 24, 2017Philip Gordon
12
Jul2017
A Federal Court in North Carolina has conditionally certified a nationwide class action lawsuit under the Fair labor Standards Act for the 18,000 drivers who opted out of Uber’s arbitration clause. The case challenges Uber’s classification of its drivers as independent contractors.
If you’re working in a job where you’re ... Read More
July 12, 2017Philip Gordon
07
Jul2017
Dodd-Frank protects individuals who provide “information relation to violation of the securities laws to the [SEC].” The SECC rules issued in 2011 interpret those protections to cover individuals who make disclosures internally, as well as directly to the SEC. The Second and Ninth Circuits agree with the SEC, ... Read More
July 7, 2017Philip Gordon
26
Jun2017
We are proud to announce that the Superior Court rejected the City of Brockton plea to reduce the jury's $4M verdict in its battle against our client, Russell Lopes.
(View Article)
June 26, 2017Philip Gordon
19
Jun2017
The Department of Justice just switched sides, and now supports class action waivers. For the past few years, the DOJ has defended the national Labor Relations Board’s position that class action waivers violated the NLRA and were unenforceable. No more.
In a brief filed with the Supreme ... Read More
June 19, 2017Philip Gordon
13
Oct2016
Patrick Murphy of Lawyers Weekly interviewed Philip Gordon on proposed legislation to combat wage theft. Gordon discussed subsidiary pyramid schemes and their impact on wage theft. Take a look at the article: "Renewed push vowed for beefed up wage theft bill" (October 13, 2016) (View Article)
October 13, 2016Philip Gordon
06
May2016
Philip Gordon Co-Chairs the panel on class actions at the 37th Annual Labor and Employment Law Spring Conference of Massachusetts Bar Association on May 6, 2016 (View Article)
May 6, 2016Philip Gordon
15
Oct2015
A significant gender discrimination lawsuit recently reached a proposed settlement of $3 million for 101 women working for Publicis group. The lawsuit grew out of concern by women about the public relations giant’s practices concerning equal pay, promotion and opportunities, as well as specific allegations of open gender inequity.
Specific claims ... Read More
October 15, 2015Philip Gordon
12
May2015
A $188 million judgment for damages has Wal-Mart officials asking the United Supreme Court to step in. The dispute started with a Pennsylvania class action lawsuit, involving approximately 187,000 Wal-Mart employees who worked for the company between the years of 1998 and 2006. The employees alleged that they were forced ... Read More
May 12, 2015Philip Gordon
11
Feb2015
Before class action lawsuits can proceed, they must be certified as such by the court. In order for this to occur, the individuals bringing the suit must present evidence that “questions of law or fact common to the class members predominate over any questions affecting only individual members,” as required ... Read More
February 11, 2015Philip Gordon
31
Oct2011
Recently, the US Supreme Court has taken a hostile view of employment cases and consumer protections by gutting the class action rules, leaving many individuals without meaningful relief. In short, this has meant that companies who damaged consumers and employees consistently across many individuals but in very small doses, ... Read More
October 31, 2011Philip Gordon
26
Sep2008
Favorable Wal-Mart ruling overturned. Order decertifying the Wal-Mart class action is reversed, and summary judgment on a number of issues is overturned.
In a suit alleging that Wal-Mart “wrongfully withheld compensation for time worked and denied or cut short rest and meal break to which they were entitled,” the ... Read More
September 26, 2008Philip Gordon
09
Apr2008
Current and former employees of New Bedford’s Michael Bianco, Inc., today filed a federal court class action lawsuit on behalf of more than 500 workers, alleging multiple violations of the federal and state wage and overtime laws.
Papers filed in the case describe how Michael Bianco, Inc., systematically and intentionally violated ... Read More
April 9, 2008Philip Gordon
01
May2006
A Federal District Court has denied a motion to dismiss a claim brought by employees seeking to bring a class action lawsuit against their employer under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for nonpayment of overtime wages, in spite of a class action waiver found in the employer’s dispute resolution ... Read More
May 1, 2006Philip Gordon