- All
- Antitrust
- Business Litigation
- Consumer Protection
- Firefighter PFAS Litigation
- First Amendment
- Personal Injury
- Privacy
- Securities
- Whistleblower/False Claims
Al’s Discount Plumbing, LLC et al., v. Viega, LLC
Co-Lead Counsel Elizabeth Pritzker and Pritzker Levine represented indirect purchasers in a multi-state class action alleging anticompetitive and exclusionary conduct by a leading manufacturer of copper press pipe fittings. Judge Christopher C. Conner in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania granted final approval to a $15 million antitrust class settlement on behalf of a multi-state class of indirect purchasers of Viega ProPress® copper press fittings on December 18, 2020.
Andrade v. JSS Restaurant Group, et al.
The firm represented a recently-retired client who was hospitalized and treated for severe hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) resulting from E. coli bacterium poisoning caused by eating contaminated meal prepared and served by a local San Francisco Bay Area artisanal burger chain. The case was litigated in the Contra Costa County Superior Court and settled close to trial for a significant monetary sum.
Apple iPod Battery Life Class Action
Elizabeth Pritzker, as Co-lead Class Counsel, represented consumers in a nationwide class action lawsuit alleging that Apple’s advertising about the battery life of its First and Second Generation iPods was false and misleading. The case resulted in a settlement conservatively valued at approximately $15 million, which provided warranty extensions, battery replacements, cash payments and store credits for those class members who experienced a battery failure.
Bank of America Whistleblower Matter
Pritzker Levine represented, on a confidential basis, a senior bank director who filed a whistleblower complaint with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the U.S. Commodity Futures Exchange Commission, alleging insider trading and other securities violations by a trading group within the bank. Following a multi-year investigation by the SEC, CFTC, Department of Justice and the FBI, Pritzker Levine’s client received a $1.5 million whistleblower award, the bank paid a multi-million fine, and the individuals in the trading group were fired.
Bay Area Firefighter Cases
Pritzker Levine represents dozens of current and former Bay Area firefighters and some of their spouses in litigation against manufacturers, designers, sellers, suppliers, and distributors of Class B firefighting foams as well as protective clothing specifically designed for firefighters. Each of the firefighter plaintiffs has been diagnosed with and treated for cancers and other serious illnesses that plaintiffs allege were caused by years of on-the-job exposure to PFAS chemicals present in the foams they used and turnout gear they wore.
Benedict v. Diamond Resorts Corporation
Represented (as Co-lead Counsel) a class of timeshare owners challenging the imposition of an unauthorized Special Assessment fee for the repair of one of the timeshare resorts in Hawaii. The case was settled in 2012.
BeUbiq Inc. v. Curtis Consulting Group
Pritzker Levine represented BeUbiq, Inc., a Silicon Valley tech start-up, in a breach of contract action against a software development company that BeUbiq hired to develop the software platform for its principal product. Following a two-week jury trial, Jonathan Levine and Bethany Caracuzzo obtained a jury verdict favorable to their client.
Boston Area Firefighter Cases
Pritzker Levine represents numerous current and former Boston Area firefighters and some of their spouses in litigation against manufacturers, designers, sellers, suppliers, and distributors of Class B firefighting foams as well as protective clothing specifically designed for firefighters. Each of the firefighter plaintiffs has been diagnosed with and treated for cancers and other serious illnesses that plaintiffs allege were caused by years of on-the-job exposure to PFAS chemicals present in the foams they used and turnout gear they wore.
BTI Group v. Forrests Music
Pritzker Levine represented local business owners who were sued for breach of contract in connection with the sale of their business. Following several months of litigation, Pritzker Levine was able to obtain a dismissal with prejudice for its clients.
Certegy Check Services, Inc. Data Breach Litigation
Jonathan Levine, as a member of the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee, represented a nationwide class of more than 5.5 million consumers whose financial records were stolen by a company employee and then resold to a third-party marketer. The case settled for in excess of $100 million of cash and other benefits as well as changes in Certegy’s business practices.
Clergy Sexual Abuse/Coordinated Proceedings
Represented a woman who was sexually abused as a child by her parish priest. Part of landmark action against the Los Angeles Archdiocese and the Diocese of Orange. The 562 cases, spanning four generations of victims, were settled for a record $660 million.
Consumer Reports “Ionic Breeze” Defense of Free Press
Co-represented Consumers Union, the independent nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports, in a lawsuit filed by Sharper Image over reviews of the product maker’s Ionic Breeze Quadra air cleaner; succeeded in having the suit dismissed under California’s anti-SLAPP law, which protects against lawsuits that chill constitutional rights, particularly the right to free speech, with fees and costs awarded to the client.
Cryptography Lawsuit Challenging Federal Export Control Laws
Represented, as part of a legal team, University of California graduate student, Daniel Bernstein, in federal court challenge to the constitutionality of the United States government’s use and application of federal export-control laws to restrict public dissemination of scientific studies involving cryptographic documents and software.
CVS Generic Drug Pricing Lawsuit
Pritzker Levine (as Class Counsel) represents six certified classes of consumers in a nationwide class action against CVS Pharmacy, Inc. Plaintiffs allege that CVS wrongfully overcharged consumers who were insured and had third-party prescription drug coverage for more than 400 of the most popular and commonly-prescribed generic prescription drugs. Following a jury trial, the case is on appeal before the Ninth Circuit.
E.E. “Doc” Smith “Lensman” Series Author Defense of Free Speech
Represented (as lead trial counsel) daughter and heir of famed science fiction author, E. E. “Doc” Smith, when she was sued for writing a Letter to the Editor criticizing a comic book treatment of her father’s famous “Lensman” science fiction series. In the first use of California’s anti-SLAPP law in 1992, Ms. Pritzker (as Executive Director/Counsel for the First Amendment Project, a non-profit public interest law firm) succeeded in having the lawsuit dismissed, with fees and costs awarded to her client.
Envirodigm v. Apple
Pritzker Levine represents a corporate client in a trade secret dispute with Apple proceeding in California Superior Court. The case is in active litigation.
Farmhouse DTLA Inc. v. LA Farmers Inc.
Pritzker Levine represents a local tech company in a breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty arbitration matter arising from an investment in and the subsequent sale of a marijuana grow operation and dispensary in Los Angeles, California.
FCC Whistleblower Defense of Right of Petition
Represented (as lead trial counsel) employee of telecommunications company who was sued for reporting false telecom spectrum bids submitted to the Federal Communications Commission by her employer; succeeded in having the lawsuit dismissed under California’s anti-SLAPP law, with fees and costs awarded to the client.
FCC Whistleblower Defense of Right of Petition
Represented (as lead trial counsel) employee of telecommunications company who was sued for reporting false telecom spectrum bids submitted to the Federal Communications Commission by her employer; succeeded in having the lawsuit dismissed under California’s anti-SLAPP law, with fees and costs awarded to the client.
Gathron v. Chrysler Group, LLC
Pritzker Levine represented consumers and a proposed class of California owners and lessees of model year 2011-2012 Dodge Chargers in class action litigation alleging that the headlight harness that Chrysler factory-installed in these vehicles was defective and posed a safety hazard. The litigation was resolved after Chrysler agreed to a recall to fix the defect.
GM Silverado “Piston Slap” Secret Warranty Lawsuit
Elizabeth Pritzker, as Class Counsel, represented a certified class of owners and lessees of Chevrolet Silverado trucks whose vehicle engines had abnormal “knock, ping or slap” noises. The complaint alleged that GM maintained an Engine Knock Noise Adjustment Program that gave owners and lessees who complained about the problem free extended warranties, GM Protection Plans and other benefits, but that GM failed to notify all affected owners and lessees of the Adjustment Program and its benefits. A court-approved class settlement ultimately was ratified by the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York after GM filed for bankruptcy protection, and cash payments obtained in the original settlement were paid out to class members in January 2013.
Graue v. Zappin
Pritzker Levine represented a local business owner who was sued for breach of contract and fraud in connection with the sale of a business. Following several months of litigation, Pritzker Levine was able to obtain a dismissal with prejudice for its client.
Il Fornaio (America) Corporation et al. v. Lazzari Fuel Company, LLC
Class Counsel Elizabeth Pritzker and Pritzker Levine represented a certified class of direct purchasers in antitrust class action alleging customer allocation and bid rigging among sellers of restaurant grade mesquite charcoal. Northern District of California Judge William Alsup granted final approval of a class-wide settlement that resulted in settlement payments to class members representing approximately 85% of actual antitrust damages.
In re Adobe Systems, Inc. Privacy Litigation
Pritzker Levine (as a member of the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee) represented consumers and a proposed class of users of Adobe software products whose personal private information or property was compromised as a result of allegedly substandard security practices at Adobe that lead to a massive data and security breach in September 2013. The parties reached a settlement which required Adobe to substantially strengthen its security controls, including by undertaking new intrusion detection and encryption measures.
In re American Express Financial Advisors Securities Litigation
As one of the Co-lead Counsel, Jonathan Levine represented a nationwide class of individuals who bought financial plans and invested in mutual funds from American Express Financial Advisors. The case alleged that American Express steered its clients into underperforming “shelf space funds” to reap kickbacks and other financial benefits. The case resulted in a cash settlement of $100 million, in addition to other relief.
In re Apple Derivative Litigation
Pritzker Levine represented Apple shareholders in derivative litigation against Apple’s senior executives and directors. The lawsuit alleges that Apple’s senior executives and directors breached their fiduciary duties to Apple and its shareholders by allowing the Company’s CEO to make certain false and misleading statements about Apple, its financial condition, business prospects and future results.
In Re Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Products Liability Litig.
Pritzker Levine Partner Elizabeth Pritzker serves on the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee in the In Re AFFF MDL, a national multi-district litigation focused on environmental and water contamination stemming from PFAS chemicals in Class B foams, and personal injury cases involving exposure to PFAS chemicals in Class B firefighting foams and firefighter protective clothing.
In Re Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Products Liability Litig.
Pritzker Levine Partner Elizabeth Pritzker serves on the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee in the In Re AFFF MDL, a national multi-district litigation focused on environmental and water contamination stemming from PFAS chemicals in Class B foams, and personal injury cases involving exposure to PFAS chemicals in Class B firefighting foams and firefighter protective clothing.
In re Countrywide Financial Corp. Data Security Breach Litigation
Jonathan Levine, as a member of the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee, represented a nationwide class of more than 2.4 million customers and potential customers of Countrywide whose personal information was stolen by a former employee and then sold to competing mortgage lenders. The case settled for more than $10 million of cash and other benefits as well as changes in Countrywide’s business practices.
In re Disposable Contact Lens Antitrust Litigation
In its role on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee, Pritzker Levine represents plaintiffs and a certified class in an antitrust class action against contact lens manufacturers alleging that they colluded to maintain the retail prices of contact lenses by imposing resale price maintenance restrictions on those products. This multi-district litigation has been consolidated before Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Plaintiffs have reached settlements with all defendants; Judge Schlesinger has granted preliminary approval to a final settlement that would resolve the litigation.