Overview
This casebook focuses on one of the most important and dynamic areas of modern federal and civil practice - aggregate-party litigation, particularly class actions. Examples of such litigation include path-breaking cases involving Agent Orange, breast implants, tobacco, and contraceptive devices. In addition to class actions, the text addresses joinder, consolidation, intervention, impleader, interpleader, multi-district litigation, and bankruptcy, among other topics. It includes rich theoretical materials, as well as practical discussions useful for a student contemplating a professional focus in class actions. The second edition covers major developments since the first edition, including the 2003 amendments to Rule 23 and the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005. It also includes several major Supreme Court and federal court of appeals decisions that have been handed down since the first edition.Synopsis
This casebook focuses on one of the most important and dynamic areas of modern federal and civil practice - aggregate-party litigation, particularly class actions. Examples of such litigation include path-breaking cases involving Agent Orange, breast implants, tobacco, and contraceptive devices. In addition to class actions, the text addresses joinder, consolidation, intervention, impleader, interpleader, multi-district litigation, and bankruptcy, among other topics. It includes rich theoretical materials, as well as practical discussions useful for a student contemplating a professional focus in class actions. The second edition covers major developments since the first edition, including the 2003 amendments to Rule 23 and the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005. It also includes several major Supreme Court and federal court of appeals decisions that have been handed down since the first edition.