Class Action Business Litigation Attorneys
Blecher & Collins has prosecuted and defended high-profile class action lawsuits in the arena of unfair competition and restraint of trade. We have prevailed in state and federal courts in Los Angeles, across California and throughout the United States, including notable and precedent-setting appellate victories.
Our trial lawyers have a strong background in complex business litigation, and are nationally recognized as authorities in antitrust and unfair business practices litigation. Where those practices harm a group of competitors, employees or consumers, our firm has been at the forefront of class action legal advocacy.
A Long Record of Success
Since 1971, Blecher & Collins has been a pioneering force in the class action arena, with landmark cases that have reached the Supreme Court of California and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The firm is engaged in a number of recent or ongoing cases with important legal ramifications for class action cases.
In 2008 we settled a lawsuit on behalf of all Division I college football and basketball players against the NCAA to increase athletic-based financial aid. The prior policy capped aid to athletes, preventing member colleges from competing for students by offering aid that covers the full cost of attending school. We successfully argued that this constituted a price-fixing agreement and restraint of trade under antitrust laws.
Noteworthy class action matters handled by Blecher & Collins:
- Favorably settled four significant class actions on behalf of music composers and publishers against television networks for the unlicensed use of compositions and recordings, and against record clubs for copyright infringement.
- Favorably settled an antitrust price-fixing lawsuit on behalf of student athletes against the NCAA involving limits on financial aid to student athletes.
- Successfully defended a major oil company against consumer class action allegations resulting in a landmark California Supreme Court decision.
- Overturned a federal district court's dismissal of a class action involving Cartwright Act (price discrimination) allegations.
- Prosecuted a class action on behalf of travel agents against the group of airlines that formed and operated Orbitz, which offered air fare bargains not available to the travel agencies.
- Represented a class of plaintiffs against Visa and MasterCard in a case involving allegations that their "honor all cards" program has unlawfully resulted in higher consumer prices.
- Successfully settled a class action claim involving a violation of the California Labor Code.
Blecher & Collins has initiated and served as lead counsel in a number of class action suits, and is known for advancing new theories of liability under California and federal laws of competition. We also commonly serve as co-counsel to law firms that turn to us for our considerable experience and muscle in cases involving mass torts and complex litigation. Arrange a consultation today to discuss participation in a certified class action or consolidation of related claims as a new class action.
