How the firm persevered through the pandemic and continues to be one of the nation’s leading plaintiffs’ law firms

Through 2020, the firm adjusted to a new normal in the world of COVID-19, but while managing partner Steve Berman led his firm in navigating remote depositions, online court dates and work-from-home solutions, Hagens Berman’s bread and butter business remains the same. And amid a pandemic, much like a virus, corporate wrongdoing is alive and well.

The firm took note of the effects of COVID-19 in its casework and filings since early 2020. In that time, Steve led the firm to take on more than a dozen higher education institutions to repay tuition payers stuck with monstrous bills as campuses closed for the spring 2020 semester. He came to the aid of travelers left stranded abroad when airlines refused to honor consumers’ ticket reimbursement requests, suing Delta, United and American Airlines in class-action lawsuits. He sued Amazon for price-gouging emergency supplies during the pandemic, and Farmers Insurance for trying to bilk its small business customers out of their rightfully deserved protections under business claims insurance as the economy faced an abrupt slowdown.

Other ways Hagens Berman stayed steadfast during the pandemic:

➔ 50+ NEW CASES FILED

During a time when many establishments – especially law firms – saw a slowing of business, or even a stop, Hagens Berman saw some of its biggest and most significant casework, with the bulk of those consisting of complex class-action lawsuits promoting fairness for consumers and seeking lasting accountability and change. This figure doesn’t account for the firm’s cases filed confidentially on behalf of whistleblowers, victims of sexual abuse and harassment, or those who sustained injuries on an individual basis.

➔ $2.8B+ IN SETTLEMENTS

The firm’s legal team saw through more than $2.8 billion in settlements across its class-action cases during the pandemic.

Hagens Berman’s biggest wins in the last year include:

  • Mercedes Diesel Emissions ($700 million)
  • USC Sexual Harassment ($215 million)
  • Batteries Antitrust ($113 million)
  • Loestrin Antirust ($120 million)
  • Hyundai Kia Fire Litigation ($758+ million)
  • Visa Mastercard Settlement ($66.7 million)
  • Chicken Antitrust Settlement ($99 million)
  • GM Ignition Settlement ($121.1 million)

➔ A UNANIMOUS SUPREME COURT DECISION

In June 2021, managing partner and co-founder, Steve Berman, saw his most recent sports law victory when the Supreme Court agreed 9-0 that NCAA college athletes should legally be able to receive compensation from schools or conferences for athletic services other than cash compensation untethered to education-related expenses. Steve initiated this case and was co-lead counsel. The ruling prohibits the NCAA from enforcing rules limiting those payments. Justice Gorsuch wrote the NCAA had sought “immunity from the normal operation of the antitrust laws,” and Justice Kavanaugh stated, “The NCAA is not above the law.”

This victory underscores Berman’s legacy of major sports wins – regarding concussions, video game likeness rights (NIL) and safety negligence. He looks forward to continuing the battle for NIL compensation.

These wins and more put the firm on track to win awards since the pandemic started: Class Action MVP of the Year and Titans of the Plaintiffs Bar, for our work in various areas for our clients.

➔ LAUNCHED INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE IN LONDON & THE NETHERLANDS

In the height of the pandemic, when other firms were cutting back, Hagens Berman expanded its focus and launched Hagens Berman’s first international presence in London and the Netherlands.

Hagens Berman LLP UK pursues automotive and emissions-cheating group-action cases, competition and antitrust matters, investor fraud and more.

IN MEMORY

While the firm celebrated many milestones in the challenging and shifting time of the pandemic, we also saw much heartache.

The firm lost three of our legal team: named partner and head of the firm’s personal injury practice, Tony Shapiro, of counsel attorney Molly Booker and associate Steve Fimmel.

➔ EXPANDED LEGAL TEAM & STAFF

To support the firm’s increasing case load, Hagens Berman made 16 new hires since instating its remote work policy in response to the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. The firm also made no employee cuts due to the pandemic.

In the face of this unprecedented time, while many law firms saw a shrinking footprint, Hagens Berman expanded its team, widening its scope and resources to continue the firm’s mission.

Five associates were promoted to profit-sharing partners and four partners were promoted to the firm’s Management Committee.

The firm and its newly fashioned management committee look forward to continuing to push to new heights on behalf of our clients and the betterment of society. Now more than ever, it is paramount to protect the rights of those who need it most, including consumers, employees and the environment.