Complex Litigation: Issues of Adequacy

Vol. 23 Nat'l L.J. A17 (Jan. 15, 2001)

U of Texas Law, Public Law Research Paper No. 481

5 Pages Posted: 16 Jun 2013

Date Written: January 15, 2001

Abstract

Commentary and analysis of the Rule 23(a)(4) requirement to certify a proposed class action that the proponents establish that the class representatives and class counsel are adequate to represent the interests of absent class members. The article discusses how the 1966 amendment to Rule 23 revitalized the importance of the threshold adequacy requirement, and the Supreme Court’s refocused attention on the adequacy requirement in Amchem Prods. Inc. v. Windsor (1997) and Ortiz v. Fibreboard Corp. (1999). The article discusses the Supreme Court’s articulation of adequacy doctrine and the varying standards for assessing adequacy developed by the lower state and federal courts. The article examines the criteria used to assess adequacy of class counsel, including the quality, experience, and resources of class counsel, and the possibility for conflicts-of-interest with the class. The article also surveys the various factors courts have developed to assess the adequacy of proposed class representatives, from minimalist standards to detailed lists of requirements, such as the Sixth Circuit’s list of eight factors to assess adequacy in shareholder derivative litigation.

Keywords: Rule 23(a)(4), class actions, adequacy of representation, Amchem Prods. Inc v. Windsor, Ortiz v. Fibreboard, conflict of interest, adequacy shareholder derivative suits

Suggested Citation

Mullenix, Linda S., Complex Litigation: Issues of Adequacy (January 15, 2001). Vol. 23 Nat'l L.J. A17 (Jan. 15, 2001), U of Texas Law, Public Law Research Paper No. 481, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2279877

Linda S. Mullenix (Contact Author)

University of Texas School of Law ( email )

727 East Dean Keeton Street
Austin, TX 78705
United States
512-232-1375 (Phone)

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