Steve Carey, Charles Raynal, Aislinn Klos, and Andy Tabeling highlighted key takeaways for corporate counsel about navigating the rise of class actions during Parker Poe’s seventh annual Business Litigation Forum. 

Steve, Charles, Aislinn, and Andy explored the cost associated with litigating and resolving class actions, particularly given the scale of discovery. They were joined on the panel by Demetri Blaisdell, litigation counsel for The New York Times.

There has been an uptick across the country in class actions over the past several years, with settlements totaling $42 billion in 2024. The panel discussed how arbitration clauses can serve as one tool companies may consider when faced with a class action, though corporate counsel needs to tread carefully given the rise of mass arbitrations. They also discussed why the forum of a class action is a critical issue. Removal to federal court is often more favorable since federal law is more developed in class actions. 

The panel also highlighted strategies for corporate counsel on what to do when served with a class action complaint, rule 12 issues to look for, and how to navigate complex class action settlements. 

The Business Litigation Forum also included Parker Poe attorneys discussing legal ethics, as well as the importance of companies to identify and protect their trade secrets.