What is a class representative?
A class representative serves as a proxy for all plaintiffs in the state that they live in. There may be more than one class representative per state. A class representative is named as a plaintiff in the lawsuit, and the class representative’s experience purchasing beef would be included within the complaint. A class representative is consulted about major developments in the case. For example, if there is a proposed settlement in the case, the class representative would be informed of the terms and his/her opinion would be considered in deciding whether the settlement terms offered are sufficient to resolve the case.
What would I have to do?
As a class representative, your initial obligation will be to spend some time collecting documents relating to any purchases you have had of beef products. We will send you a copy of the lawsuit before we file it so that you can ensure that any information about you is correct. If the case proceeds into extended discovery, which may not happen, you may also have to be available for one day to be interviewed by defendant’s lawyers in a deposition. We would be your lawyers if that were to happen.
Will I have to travel?
It is very unlikely you would have to travel anywhere for this case.
Does it cost anything? Will I be paid?
There is no cost to you associated with becoming a class representative. Any costs associated with the lawsuit will be paid by our law firm and you will have no obligation at any time to pay anything. Typically, at the end of the case, the judge will order a service award to class representatives in recognition of the effort involved in being an effective and cooperative class representative. However, we cannot guarantee that the judge will do so.
Why should I do it?
A great class representative plaintiff is one whose main motivation for becoming class representative is that they want to personally hold the defendant accountable for overcharging. If you feel betrayed, cheated, or victimized by the actions of major food manufacturers and want to take an active role in holding the defendant accountable, then you would likely be a great class representative. If you want to make a tangible difference in this case by representing similarly affected consumers from your home state then you would be a great class representative.
What happens next?
If you sign up to be a class representative, we will reach out to you to make sure that we know how you have been affected. We will then draft that portion of the complaint that pertains to you and give you an opportunity to review it before we file the lawsuit. Because this will be a nationwide case, not much will happen after the filing of the complaint for up to a year.
