Gill v. Caesars Entertainment, Inc. ( 2024 )

1 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 2 DISTRICT OF NEVADA 3 * * * 4 Lead Case No. 2:23-cv-01447-ART-BNW 5 In re: DATA BREACH SECURITY LITIGATION AGAINST CAESARS ORDER 6 ENTERTAINMENT, INC. 7 8 9 Before the Court are three competing motions for appointment of interim class counsel. 10 ECF Nos. 34–36. Although there are no oppositions to the motions, the Court’s grant of any 11 motion is to the exclusion of others. The motions demonstrate that each proposed team of 12 attorneys possesses exceptional qualities to satisfy Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(g)(1)(A), 13 which requires the Court to consider the work counsel has performed, counsel’s knowledge, 14 counsel’s experience, and counsel’s resources. But because the first proposed team of attorneys 15 has shown additional pertinent qualifications—including diversity, majority support, and filing 16 order—that the Court may consider under Rule 23(g)(1)(B), the Court grants their motion. ECF 17 No. 34. As such, the other two motions are denied. ECF Nos. 35, 36. 18 I. BACKGROUND 19 This is a class action data breach case arising from a cyberattack that allowed a perpetrator 20 to glean sensitive, personally identifying information from Caesars Loyalty Program members. 21 See generally ECF No. 1. Plaintiffs allege that they were damaged by Caesars’s purportedly 22 inadequate security protocols. Id. 23 About a month after the initial underlying case was filed, the Court consolidated 24 numerous cases.1 ECF No. 21. Following the initial consolidation order, the parties filed the three 25 subject motions for appointment of interim class counsel. ECF Nos. 34–36. Shortly thereafter, the 26 27 1 Rodriguez, 2:23-cv-01447; Garcia, 2:23-cv-01482; Giuffre, 2:23-cv-01483; Lackey, 2:23-cv- 1 Court consolidated even more cases.2 ECF No. 46. The Court then entered its final consolidation 2 order at the beginning of 2024.3 ECF No. 55. In total, 19 cases have been consolidated under this 3 lead case. See ECF Nos. 21, 46, 55. 4 II. LEGAL STANDARD 5 “The court may designate interim class counsel to act on behalf of a putative class before 6 determining whether to certify the action as a class action” when it is “necessary to protect the 7 interests” of class members. FED. R. CIV. P. 23(g)(3); MANUAL FOR COMPLEX LITIGATION 8 (FOURTH) § 21.11 (2004). This typically occurs in cases where “a large number of putative class 9 actions have been consolidated or otherwise are pending in a single court.” In re Nest Labs 10 Litigation, No. 14-cv-01363-BLF, 2014 WL 12878556, at *1 (C.D. Cal. Aug. 18, 2014) (citing 11 Donaldson v. Pharmacia Pension Plan, No. CIV. 06-3-GPM, 2006 WL 1308582, at *1–2 (S.D. 12 Ill. May 10, 2006)). Designation of interim class counsel is also appropriate when there is 13 competition between law firms to represent the class. See Parish v. Nat’l Football League 14 Players, Inc., No. C 07-00943 WHA, 2007 WL 1624601, at *9 (N.D. Cal. June 4, 2007) 15 (declining to designate interim class counsel without a “gaggle of law firms jockeying to be 16 appointed”). 17 Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(g)(1)(A) sets out the considerations that courts must 18 weigh when appointing class counsel once a class has been certified, which courts also apply to 19 the appointment of interim class counsel prior to class certification. See, e.g., Wright v. Jacob 20 Transp., LLC, No. 2:15-cv-00056-JAD-GEF, 2015 WL 3916001, at *3 (D. Nev. June 24, 2015) 21 (citing In re Air Cargo Shipping Servs. Antitrust Litig., 240 F.R.D. 56, 57 (E.D.N.Y. 2006)).4 22 2 Dwek, 2:23-cv-01659; Carrozzella et al., 2:23-cv-01725; Elvidge, 2:23-cv-01662; Gill, 2:23-cv- 23 01656; Brewster, 3:23-cv-00525; McCusker, 2:23-cv-01799; Katz, 2:23-cv-01836. 3 Cherveny et al., 2:23-cv-01818; Martin et al., 2:23-cv-01865; Williams et al., 2:23-cv-01919; 24 Popp et al., 3:23-cv-00633; Balsamo et al., 2:24-cv-00043; Lassoff et al., 2:24-cv-00127; Blair- Smith, 2:24-cv-00169. 25 4 The Manual for Complex Litigation provides different approaches to selecting class counsel. 26 First, there is the “private ordering” approach where the attorneys agree who should be lead class counsel and the court approves the selection after a review. MANUAL FOR COMPLEX LITIGATION 27 (FOURTH) § 21.272 (2004). Second, the “selection from competing counsel” where the court selects counsel, who are unable to agree, based on the examination of the factors in 1 The four factors courts must consider when appointing interim class counsel include: 2 1. the work counsel has done in identifying or investigating potential claims in the action; 3 2. counsel’s experience in handling class actions, other complex 4 litigation, and the types of claims asserted in the action; 5 3. counsel’s knowledge of the applicable law; and 6 4. the resources that counsel will commit to representing the class. 7 FED. R. CIV. P. 23(g)(1)(A)(i)–(iv). 8 Courts can also “consider any other matter pertinent to counsel’s ability to fairly and 9 adequately represent the interests of the class.” FED. R. CIV. P. 23(g)(1)(B). “If more than one 10 adequate applicant seeks appointment, the court must appoint the applicant best able to represent 11 the interests of the class.” FED. R. CIV. P. 23(g)(2). 12 III. ANALYSIS 13 Appointing interim class counsel is appropriate in this case because this is a consolidated 14 action, and three teams of attorneys are competing to represent the putative class. See Nest Labs, 15 2014 WL 12878556, at *1; Parish, 2007 WL 1624601, at *9. Thus, appointing interim class 16 counsel is necessary to protect the interests of the class. See MANUAL OF COMPLEX LITIGATION 17 (FOURTH) § 21.11 (2004). 18 Three cohorts of attorneys seek appointment: 19 “First Cohort” 20 Interim Class Counsel: (1) John A. Yanchunis, Morgan & Morgan; (2) Douglas J. McNamara, Cohen Milstein; (3) Amy E. Keller, Dicello Leavitt LLP. 21 Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee: (1) Jeff Ostrow, Kopelowitz Ostrow Ferguson 22 Weiselberg Gilbert (Chair); (2) James Pizzirusso, Hausfeld LLP; (3) Gerard Stranch, Stranch, Jennings & Garvey; (4) Gary M. Klinger, Milberg Coleman 23 Bryson Phillips Grossman PLLC; (5) Sabita J. Soneji, Tycko & Zavareei LLP; (6) Linda Nussbaum; Nussbaum Law Group, P.C. 24 Liaison Counsel: Don Springmeyer, Kemp Jones. 25 26 27 experimental and has been used for antitrust and securities cases. Id. As the parties do not agree who should be lead counsel, the Court uses the factors in Rule 23(g)(1)(A) and considerations in 1 “Second Cohort” Interim Class Counsel: (1) Ben Barnow, Barnow and Associates, P.C.; (2) Todd 2 S. Garber, Filkelstein, Blankinship, Frei-Pearson & Garber, LLP. 3 Liaison Counsel: David C. O’Mara; The O’Mara Law Firm, P.C. 4 “Third Cohort” 5 Interim Class Counsel: (1) Gary F. Lynch, Lynch Carpenter, LLP; (2) Erin G. Comite, Scott + Scott Attorneys at Law LLP. 6 Liaison Counsel: Jennifer A. Fornetti, Bourassa Law Group. 7 8 The Court discusses each cohort’s qualifications in light of the Rule 23(g)(1)(A) factors 9 and additional Rule 23(g)(1)(B) considerations below. 10 A. Interim Co-Lead Class Counsel 11 Each cohort’s motion contains a discussion of the four factors the Court must consider. 12 See ECF Nos. 34–36. “Thus, the question is not whether either team is qualified, but which team 13 has the best chance of effectively representing the putative class and ensuring that this case 14 proceeds in an efficient manner.” In re Folgers Coffee, Mktg. Litig., No. 21-2984-MD-C-BP, 15 2021 WL 7906854, at *2 (W.D. Mo. June 7, 2021). The Court discusses each of the 16 Rule 23(g)(1)(A) factors and Rule 23(g)(1)(B) considerations in turn. 17 1. Counsel’s Work 18 The first factor the Court considers is the work counsel has done in identifying or 19 investigating potential claims in the action. FED. R. CIV. P. 23(g)(1)(A)(i). The First Cohort 20 represents that they have retained experts, coordinated with other attorneys in the action, drafted 21 complaints (including the first complaint in the action), conducted a preliminary investigation of 22 the data breach, performed factual research, coordinated consolidation, and initiated early 23 discussions about class leadership. ECF No. 34 at 5–6. The Second Cohort submits that they have 24 investigated the factual underpinnings of the breach, researched and analyzed legal theories, 25 engaged in communications with Plaintiffs, investigated the scope of the breach, reviewed 26 Caesars’s public statements, and drafted complaints. ECF No. 35 at 3–4. And the Third Cohort 27 states that they have researched potential claims, waited to file complaints until they conducted a 1 articles, analyzed Federal Trade Commission guidelines, investigated the nature of the conduct, 2 reviewed statements by Caesars, investigated the adequacy of potential plaintiffs, and drafted 3 complaints. ECF No. 36 at 9–11. 4 The Court concludes that each group has engaged in a substantial amount of time and 5 effort identifying and investigating the potential claims of the putative class in this case. As such, 6 the first factor does not favor any of the groups. 7 2. Counsel’s Experience 8 Next, the Court examines counsel’s experience in handling class actions, other complex 9 litigation, and the types of claims asserted in the action. FED. R. CIV. P. 23(g)(1)(A)(ii). The First 10 Cohort consists of attorneys who belong to plaintiffs-side and class actions firms; who have held 11 various leadership positions on numerous data breach, consumer protection, and privacy class 12 action cases; who chair pertinent practice and working groups; who teach and publish articles on 13 the subject matter, and who have obtained large class action settlements. ECF No. 34 at 7–12. 14 The Second Group is comprised of attorneys who have held various leadership positions on 15 complex consumer, privacy, and historic data privacy class actions; who have obtained class 16 action settlements and appeals; who sit on related subject-matter panels and present CLEs on the 17 topics, and who have brought cases against large corporate defendants. ECF No. 35 at 4–10. The 18 Third Cohort includes attorneys who belong to plaintiffs-side firms; who have held various 19 leadership positions on numerous data breach, privacy, and securities class action cases; who 20 have obtained large class action settlements, who oversee pertinent litigation departments, and 21 who have developed law for both trial and appellate courts on data privacy issues. ECF No. 36 at 22 12–20. 23 Given the extensive experience of the attorneys in each of the three cohorts, the Court has 24 no doubt that each group is capable of handling this class action. The high caliber of experience 25 across each of the three groups demonstrates that this factor does not favor any group over 26 another. 27 1 3. Counsel’s Knowledge 2 The third factor the Court evaluates is counsel’s knowledge of the applicable law. FED. R. 3 CIV. P. 23(g)(1)(A)(iii). The First Cohort points to data breach, privacy, cybersecurity, 4 technology, class action, complex litigation, and plaintiffs-side expertise. ECF No. 34 at 7–12. 5 Similarly, the Second Cohort highlights their knowledge in historic data privacy, complex class 6 action, data breach, and consumer law cases. ECF No. 35 at 4–10. Lastly, the Third Cohort 7 emphasizes knowledge in complex class action, data breach, privacy, wiretapping, and plaintiffs- 8 side litigation. ECF No. 36 at 12–20. 9 Given the vast similarities and overlapping nature of each cohort’s practice areas, the 10 Court is confident in each team’s subject-matter knowledge and expertise. Therefore, it does not 11 find this factor to weigh in favor of any one group. 12 4. Counsel’s Resources 13 Finally, the Court addresses the resources that counsel will commit to representing the 14 class. FED. R. CIV. P. 23(g)(1)(A)(iv). The First Cohort submits that their respective firms consist 15 of many attorneys; that they have sufficient resources to pursue the case from discovery to trial; 16 and that they maintain contact with a wide network of professionals, including experts, that will 17 aid them in their ongoing investigations. ECF No. 34 at 22–23. The Second Cohort represents that 18 they will expend necessary time and resources; that they have sufficient manpower (as 19 demonstrated by prior successful class actions); and that they will perform efficient, non- 20 duplicative work. ECF No. 35 at 10. Finally, the Third Cohort maintains that counsel hails from 21 well-established firms, that they have sufficient resources and personnel for class actions—not 22 just financially, but also in the form of expertise and work product—and that they have access to 23 a well-developed repository of information. ECF No. 36 at 21. 24 Based on these representations, it is clear that each group has proven themselves willing to 25 commit the necessary time and resources to the case. Thus, this factor too does not favor a 26 particular cohort. 27 After reviewing the application materials from each team, including the resumes of the 1 each cohort has done the necessary investigative work and possesses the knowledge, experience, 2 and resources required to litigate this case. 3 5. Other Pertinent Matters Supporting Appointment 4 Because each cohort has demonstrated sufficiency under each of the Rule 23(g)(1)(A) 5 factors, the Court can also “consider any other matter pertinent to counsel’s ability to fairly and 6 adequately represent the interests of the class.” FED. R. CIV. P. 23(g)(1)(B). The cohorts have 7 raised numerous distinguishing factors, including diversity of the proposed team, support from 8 plaintiffs, the cost efficiency of the proposed team, and the order in which proposed counsel filed 9 their complaints. See ECF Nos. 34–36. The Court discusses each below. 10 a. Diversity 11 A proposed team’s diversity is a factor the Court can consider in appointing interim class 12 counsel. See, e.g., In re Stubhub Refund Litig., No. 20-MD-02951-HSG, 2020 WL 8669823, at *1 13 (N.D. Cal. Nov. 18, 2020) (appointing as co-lead interim counsel applicants who “demonstrated 14 careful attention to creating a diverse team”); In re Robinhood Outage Ligitation, No. 20-CV- 15 01626-JD, 2020 WL 7330596, at *2 (N.D. Cal. July 14, 2020) (noting the need for diversity and 16 how “the attorneys running this litigation should reflect the diversity of the proposed national 17 class”). 18 Here, both the First Cohort and the Third Cohort highlight diverse aspects within their 19 proposed teams. See ECF Nos. 34, 36. The First Cohort points to Ms. Keller’s position on her 20 firm’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and her commitment to recruiting persons 21 from diverse backgrounds and distributing work to colleagues in a manner that ensures that those 22 with less experience can play an active role in the litigation. ECF No. 34 at 11. And the Third 23 Cohort emphasizes Mr. Lynch’s firm’s commitment to mentoring a broad-based and diverse 24 group of attorneys to enable their ascension to leadership positions within the field as well as Ms. 25 Comite’s firm’s recognition in securing representation of women in their equity partnership. ECF 26 No. 36 at 13, 19. Because the Second Cohort does not discuss the diversity of their proposed 27 team, the Court finds that this consideration favors the First Cohort and the Third Cohort. 1 b. Support 2 While appointment of interim class counsel is “not a popularity contest,” courts have 3 recognized that support garnered from multiple plaintiffs can demonstrate a proposed team’s 4 ability to work cooperatively with a large group of plaintiffs and attorneys, and to do so in the 5 best interests of the class. In re Lenovo Adware Litig., No. 15-MD-02624, 2015 WL 10890657, at 6 *2 (N.D. Cal. July 27, 2015); White v. Med. Rev. Inst. of Am., LLC, No. 2:22CV00082-DAK- 7 DAO, 2022 WL 2905665, at *3 (D. Utah July 22, 2022). “The purpose of appointing interim class 8 counsel is to ensure that the litigation proceeds smoothly and efficiently until the class 9 certification stage, and for obvious reasons, a leadership structure that represents the majority of 10 the plaintiffs and plaintiffs’ attorneys can more effectively achieve this purpose.” Folgers, 2021 11 WL 7906854, at *3. 12 Here, the breakdown of support is as follows: the First Cohort has the support of plaintiffs 13 in 10 cases,5 the Second Cohort has the support of plaintiffs in 2 cases,6 and the Third Cohort has 14 the support of plaintiffs in 1 case.7 ECF Nos. 34–36. Because the remainder of the cases were 15 consolidated after the motions were filed and were not identified in the cohorts’ briefing, it is 16 unclear which proposed team (if any) they support.8 While support from a large majority of 17 plaintiffs and their counsel alone would not be a sufficient reason to favor the First Cohort, it does 18 reflect a broad, nationwide level of support. Lenovo, 2015 WL 10890657, at *2. And the fact that 19 the First Cohort has consistently enjoyed the support of a substantial majority of the plaintiffs and 20 their counsel throughout this litigation is indicative of their ability to work cooperatively on 21 22 23 5 Rodriguez, 2:23-cv-01447; Garcia, 2:23-cv-01482; Giuffre, 2:23-cv-01483; Lackey, 2:23-cv- 01562; Carrozzella et al., 2:23-cv-01725; Elvidge, 2:23-cv-01662; Gill, 2:23-cv-01656; Katz, 24 2:23-cv-1836; Cherveny et al., 2:23-cv-01818; Martin et al., 2:23-cv-1865. 6 McNicholas et al., 3:23-cv-00470; Brewster, 3:23-cv-00525. 25 7 McCusker, 2:23-cv-01799. At the time their motion was filed, the Third Cohort also had the 26 support of Jones, 2:23-cv-01884, but this plaintiff has since voluntarily dismissed her case. ECF No. 11. 27 8 Williams et al., 2:23-cv-01919; Popp et al., 3:23-cv-00633; Balsamo et al., 2:24cv00043; Lassoff et al., 2:24-cv-00127; Blair-Smith, 2:24-cv-00169. It is also unclear who has the support 1 behalf of the many plaintiffs in this case, and to work in their best interests. Id. Thus, this 2 consideration tips in favor of the First Cohort. 3 c. Cost Efficiency 4 Other factors the Court can consider include “whether there has been full disclosure of all 5 agreements and understandings among counsel” and “whether there are clear and satisfactory 6 guidelines for compensation and reimbursement.” MANUAL FOR COMPLEX LITIGATION (FOURTH) 7 § 10.224 (2004). 8 The Second Cohort asks the Court to consider the size of the proposed attorney teams as 9 they contend that too many attorneys “create wasteful and duplicative efforts” and “shift benefits 10 away from class to counsel.” ECF No. 35 at 1, 3. While the Court is mindful of their cost 11 concerns and agrees with the notion of prioritizing Plaintiffs’ benefits, there is nothing to suggest 12 that a larger group of attorneys than the Second Cohort’s team could not work efficiently. See 13 Lowery v. Spotify USA Inc., No. CV1509929BRORAOX, 2016 WL 6818756, at *5 (C.D. Cal. 14 May 23, 2016) (finding that there was nothing to suggest that a multi-firm team would be 15 “inefficient” or “engage in duplicative work”). The Court also finds that the First Cohort has 16 significant experience in monitoring billing, controlling costs, and avoiding duplication of effort 17 from their work in prior class action cases and that any concerns of duplication or inefficiency 18 can be mitigated by the team’s Proposed Time Management and Billing Protocol. ECF No. 34 at 19 23; ECF No. 34-11 (requiring detailed billing descriptions; advanced, written approval by class 20 counsel; monthly submissions of time and expenses in a certified, agreed-upon report; minimal 21 attorney attendance at meetings and hearings; and exclusion of certain categories of time and 22 expenses). Given the detail and complexity of the First Cohort’s billing protocol, the Court finds 23 that this consideration weighs in their favor. See MANUAL FOR COMPLEX LITIGATION (FOURTH) 24 § 10.224 (2004). 25 d. Filing Order 26 Where “consideration of other relevant factors does not tilt heavily in either direction and 27 there is a need for an objective tie-breaker,” courts may also consider which party was first to file 1 2015 WL 4121607, at *4 (D.D.C. June 30, 2015) (“[S]ince both groups are more than qualified to 2 handle this action, it would be imminently reasonable to select the Motley Rice Group on the 3 basis that their complaint was filed first.”). 4 The Third Cohort asks that the Court discount which party was first to file because they 5 contend that other counsel rushed to file rather than waiting until Caesars disseminated breach 6 notifications. ECF No. 36 at 4. They argue that in filing before the data breach notification, a 7 putative plaintiff might not be an adequate class representative because they may not have 8 actually been implicated by the breach. Id. Thus, the Third Cohort asserts that filing too soon cuts 9 against other counsel’s requisite due diligence. Id. 10 Though the Court acknowledges the Third Cohort’s concerns regarding the adequacy of 11 the eventual class representative, such concerns will be addressed during the class certification 12 stage and upon the selection of said class representative. And, as the Court discussed above, both 13 the First Cohort and Second Cohort demonstrated sufficient investigative efforts leading up to the 14 filing of their complaints. “[I]t would be an abuse of discretion to appoint an attorney as class 15 counsel solely because he may have won the race to the courthouse.” Lowery, 2016 WL 6818756, 16 at *3, n.2 (citing Northstar Fin. Advisors Inc. v. Schwab Invs., 779 F.3d 1036, 1048 (9th Cir. 17 2015)) (emphasis added). However, a significant body of other courts has acknowledged that, 18 where the Rule 23(g)(1)(A) factors are equal, being first to file bears out a proposed team’s 19 preparation and commitment to prosecuting the case. See, e.g., Ekin v. Amazon Servs., LLC, No. 20 C14-0244-JCC, 2014 WL 12028588, at *4 (W.D. Wash. May 28, 2014) (considering who filed 21 the first complaint, among other factors, when selecting interim class counsel among competing 22 applicants); In re Mun. Derivatives Antitrust Litig., 252 F.R.D. 184, 186 (S.D.N.Y. 2008) 23 (appointing as interim lead counsel the firms that filed the first complaints); Michelle v. Arctic 24 Zero, Inc., 2013 WL 791145, at *2 n.3 (S.D. Cal. Mar. 1, 2013) (“[F]irst-to file can be a relevant 25 factor when the factors for class counsel do not tilt heavily in either direction and there is a need 26 for an objective tie-breaker.”). Because the Court finds that each cohort has satisfied the Rule 27 23(g)(1)(A) factors, it can consider being first to file as a plus to the First Cohort. 1 Each of the teams seeking appointment has put forward experienced class action and data 2 privacy attorneys who have much to offer this case and who are well-qualified to vigorously 3 litigate the consolidated action. Each has performed significant work thus far in the case, has 4 commendable knowledge and experience, and appears able to devote substantial resources to the 5 litigation. See FED. R. CIV. P. 23(g)(1)(A)(i)–(iv). But in terms of other pertinent matters under 6 Rule 23(g)(1)(B), the First Cohort were not only the first to file a complaint, but also have 7 majority support from Plaintiffs and offer a diverse team of attorneys. The Court therefore finds 8 that the interests of the putative class would be best served by appointing the First Cohort—which 9 is comprised of John A. Yanchunis, Douglas J. McNamara, and Amy Keller—as co-lead interim 10 class counsel. 11 B. Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee 12 In addition to seeking appointment as co-lead interim class counsel, the First Cohort also 13 seeks appointment of a Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee (“PSC”) and a PSC Chair. ECF No. 34 at 14 12–21. They argue that the scope of Caesars’s data breach and the resulting intensive discovery 15 necessitate appointment of a PSC to assist co-lead interim class counsel. Id. at 12. According to 16 the First Cohort, the PSC will “work under and at the direction of the co-lead counsel to ensure 17 that the case runs smoothly and efficiently.” Id. 18 “[Steering] [c]ommittees are most commonly needed when group members’ interests and 19 positions are sufficiently dissimilar to justify giving them representation in decision-making.” 20 MANUAL FOR COMPLEX LITIGATION (FOURTH) § 10.221 (2004). “Committees of counsel can 21 sometimes lead to substantially increased costs, and they should try to avoid unnecessary 22 duplication of efforts and control fees and expenses.” Id. 23 Here, the First Cohort seeks appointment of a 6-person PSC. Each attorney hails from a 24 different firm; has extensive knowledge and experience in data security and privacy litigation; 25 and has served in various leadership positions in prior class action cases including as lead 26 counsel, co-lead counsel, liaison counsel, or as a steering committee member. ECF No. 34 at 12– 27 21. The group also consists of attorneys and firms who have espoused a commitment to diversity. 1 Because this action is a 19-case, multi-district litigation, the multiplicity of suits, 2 complexity of claims, and diversity of the plaintiffs warrants appointment of a PSC. See In re 3 Showa Denko K.K. L-Tryptophan Prod. Liab. Litig.-II, 953 F.2d 162, 165 (4th Cir. 1992) (“The 4 multiplicity of suits requires that the district court be allowed to combine procedures, appoint lead 5 counsel, recognize steering committees of lawyers, limit and manage discovery, etc. to minimize 6 expense to all litigants and to provide judicial efficiency.”). The Court finds that any concerns 7 regarding increased costs and duplication of efforts can be curtailed by the First Cohort’s detailed 8 billing protocol, which also governs the PSC. See ECF No. 34-11. The Court therefore appoints 9 Jeff Ostrow as PSC Chair and James Pizzirusso, Gerard Stranch, Gary M. Klinger, Sabita J. 10 Soneji, and Linda Nussbaum to the PSC. 11 C. Liaison Counsel 12 Lastly, the First Cohort also seeks appointment of Don Springmeyer as liaison counsel. 13 ECF No. 34 at 21–22. They assert that Mr. Springmeyer is well-versed in the duties and 14 obligations of liaison counsel because he has served in this role in many other prominent class 15 action cases within this District and others. Id. at 22. 16 A court, in its discretion, may appoint interim liaison counsel to assist interim lead 17 counsel primarily with administrative matters. See Walker v. Discover Fin. Servs., No. 10–cv– 18 6994, 2011 WL 2160889, at *3 (N.D. Ill. May 26, 2011); MANUAL FOR COMPLEX LITIGATION 19 (FOURTH) § 10.221 (2004). Liaison counsel generally assists lead counsel with administrative 20 matters such as filings, communications with the court and other counsel, convening meetings of 21 counsel, assuring compliance with local rules, and attending hearings. See Walker, 2011 WL 22 2160889, at *5. 23 Given his subject-matter and position-specific knowledge and experience, the Court 24 concludes that Mr. Springmeyer is well-suited to serve as interim liaison counsel alongside the 25 First Cohort’s co-lead interim class counsel and PSC. The group’s billing protocol also applies to 26 liaison counsel and will help assure cost efficiency in coordinating Mr. Springmeyer’s efforts in 27 conjunction with the other team members. See ECF No. 34-11. 1 || IV. CONCLUSION 2 IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the First Cohort’s Motion for Appointment of 3 || Interim Class Counsel (ECF No. 34) is GRANTED. 4 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that John A. Yanchunis, Douglas J. McNamara, and Amy 5 || E. Keller are appointed as co-lead interim class counsel. 6 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Jeff Ostrow is appointed as chair of the Plaintiffs’ 7 || Steering Committee. 8 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that James Pizzirusso, Gerard Stranch, Gary M. Klinger, 9 || Sabita J. Soneji, and Linda Nussbaum are appointed to the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee. 10 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Don Springmeyer is appointed as interim liaison 11 || counsel. 12 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the competing motions (ECF Nos. 35 and 36) are 13 |} DENIED. 14 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiffs shall file a superseding consolidated 15 || amended complaint no later than 45 days from the date of this Order. 16 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the parties shall file a Discovery Plan and Scheduling 17 || Order no later than 14 days from the filing of the consolidated amended complaint. 18 19 DATED this 12th day of June 2024. 20 21 KK gum Les Are bat, BRENDA WEKSLER , 22 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 23 24 25 26 27 28