LCD Makers Agree To Pay $539M In Price-Fix Settlement

Seven major manufacturers of thin-film liquid crystal display (“LCD”) panels used in laptop computers, monitors and televisions agreed to pay $538.6 million to settle antitrust claims brought by indirect purchasers.   The indirect purchaser plaintiffs allege that the defendant companies fixed prices of LCD panels, artificially inflating prices for purchasers of televisions, notebook computers and monitors from 1999 to 2006.  The law firm of Andrus Anderson LLP is among counsel of record for the indirect purchaser plaintiffs in the case, which is currently pending before the Honorable Susan Illston in the Northern District of California.  “The settlement will not only go to compensate consumers who paid more than they would have for these product in a competitive marketplace, but will also go a long way to prevent future price-fixing schemes in the electronics industry,” commented Andrus Anderson partner, Jennie Lee Anderson.  The attorneys general of several states, including California, Michigan, Florida and New York, are also part of the settlement agreements with the manufacturers.  The indirect purchase plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary approval of the settlement was filed on December 23, 2011 and is currently pending before the court.  Andrus Anderson represents consumers and small businesses in a variety of antitrust and unfair competition matters.  For more information or to report unfair or anticompetitive activity, contact us to speak to an attorney.

Plaintiff Seeks Certification of Nationwide Class of Borrowers

On December 9, 2011, Andrus Anderson partner, Jennie Lee Anderson, lead counsel for plaintiff in Ralston v. Mortgage Investors Group and Countrywide Home Loans Inc., Case No. 08-00536 JF, argued before the District Court for the Northern District of California in support of plaintiff’s motion for class certification.  Plaintiff’s motion seeks certification of a nationwide class of borrowers who purchased certain Pay Option ARM loans, which Plaintiff alleges Countrywide sold through a network of correspondent lenders and similarly deceptive and fraudulent in nature.  For more information about the lawsuit or if you believe you ahve been the victim of a fraudulent lending practice, please contact us to speak to an attorney.

Federal Judge Approves Class Action Settlement To Benefit Current and Prior Owners of Toyota RAV4s

 On January 6, 2012, the Honorable Richard Seeborg, District Court Judge for the Northern District of California, granted final approval of a class action settlement which will benefit current and former owners of 2001-2003 Toyota RAV4 Vehicles with an automatic transmission.  The lawsuit alleges that the 2001-2003 model Toyota RAV4 Vehicles were equipped with defective Engine Control Modules (“ECMs”), which cause drivers to experience “hard shifting” and ultimately results in the automatic transmission failing prematurely.   “The settlement is an excellent result for consumers,”  said Andrus Anderson partner, Jennie Lee Anderson, who the Court appointed co-lead counsel for plaintiffs and the class in the case.   “It ensures that current and former Vehicle owners will either have their Vehicles repaired under 10-year or 150,000 mile extended warranty program or be fully reimbursed for the costs of prior repairs.”  For further information about the settlement or to file a claim, class members should visit the Toyota RAV4 Class Action Settlement Website.

Andrus Anderson Partner Selected 2011 Northern California Super Lawyer

Andrus Anderson partner, Jennie Lee Anderson, has been selected as a 2011 Northern California Super Lawyer.   Each year Super Lawyers recognizes outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.   The selection process is multi-phased and includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations.  Visit Ms. Anderson’s Super Lawyer Profile for more information.

Jennie Lee Anderson

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Andrus Anderson LLP Partners Take Leadership Roles At The American Association for Justice

Lori E. Andrus and Jennie Lee Anderson attended the American Association for Justice Annual Convention in New York City, July 9-12, 2011.   In furtherance of their efforts in and outside of the courtroom to advance the interests of their clients, including injured consumers, employees and small business owners across the United States, Ms. Andrus and Ms. Anderson were both elected to presigious leadership positions this year.  Ms. Andrus was elected First Vice Chair of the Women’s Trial Lawyer Caucus.  Ms. Anderson is the incoming Co-Chair of the organization’s Class Action Litigation Group.  

Andrus Anderson Files Nationwide Gender Discrimination Class Action Against Deere & Co.

On March 16, 2011, Andrus Anderson LLP filed a nationwide sex discrimination class action against Deere & Co. and John Deere Landscapes, Inc. (“Deere”).  Artis v. Deere & Co. (Civ.10-05289 WHA). The suit charges that Deere, a leading farm, agricultural equiptment and landscaping company, systematically denies certain jobs to women and discourages them from even applying.   

The Plaintiff, Holly Artis, applied for a customer service position at Deere’ s landscaping facility.  Despite having over five years of sales and service experience, she was told that Deere “frowned upon hiring women” and was denied the job.  She was falsely told that the position had been cancelled, when in fact it had been given to a man with less experience.  “Deere should not be allowed to continue to deny qualified women employment or discourage them from applying because of their gender,” says co-lead counsel for Plaintiff and the proposed class, Andrus Anderson partner, Jennie Lee Anderson.  “Female applicants must be given the opportunity to compete on a level playing field–that’s the law and it’s also the right thing to do.”   The complete Press Release is available here.  For further information, please Contact Us today, or  visit Deere Class website.

Partner Lori Andrus To Attend California Attorney General Harris’s Transition Team Policy Summit

Lori E. Andrus, appointed to California Attorney General Kamala Harris‘ Transition Team, will attend the Attorney General’s Policy Summit on March 16, 2011.  Ms. Andrus was named to the Attorney General’s “Smart On Crime” working group, and was asked to assist in identifying the most pressing issues facing California and researching best practices from across the nation to help make California safer and better.  Within the “Smart on Crime” working group, Ms. Andrus’ focus has been on mortgage fraud and consumer protection. 

A.G. Harris’ Transition Team has tapped leaders from around the state, including other Attorneys General, law enforcement figureheads, District Attorneys, representatives from universities, foundations, think tanks and other leaders at the forefront of research, ideas and innovation.

As a lawyer who frequently represents consumers in cases brought against large corporations, and as a long-time Board of Governors Member for the Consumer Attorneys of California, Ms. Andrus has years of experience advocating for consumer rights. 

Jennie Lee Anderson Argues In Class Action Against Countrywide; Legal Newspaper Takes Notice

Jennie Lee Anderson Participates In Panel On Summary Judgment

On February 1, 2011, AA LLP partner, Jennie Lee Anderson, was a panelist on the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association’s program “Summary Judgment From Every Angle“.  The panelists discussed best practices in preparing and opposing summary judgment motions and included the Hon. Winifred Y. Smith, who contributed with perspectives from the bench.

Andrus Anderson LLP Partner to Speak at Women Antitrust Plaintiffs’ Attorneys Conference

Andrus Anderson LLP Partner, Jennie Lee Anderson, will participate in the Women Antitrust Plaintiffs’ Attorneys conference in Minneapolis on October 14-15, 2010.  Ms. Anderson will be on a panel entitled “Thinking About Trial From Day One”.   The conference will feature invaluable networking opportunities and presentations by some of the top antitrust attorneys in the country on issues such as preparing for trial, using electronically stored information at trial and how to best use experts at trial.  Members of the Women Antitrust Plaintiffs’ Attorneys are women who specialize and focus their legal practice on representing businesses and consumers who have been injured by cartels or other anticompetitive business activities.