Hagens Berman Named to National Law Journal Plaintiffs' Hot List for Eighth Year

Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP today was named to the National Law Journal’s prestigious Plaintiffs’ Hot List for the eighth year.

The award is given each year to law firms that do “exemplary, cutting-edge work on the plaintiffs’ side” and who have demonstrated “an impressive track record of wins.”

“We’re thrilled to be named to this list of legal powerhouses and owe this recognition to every individual at our offices across the country,” said Steve Berman, managing partner and co-founder of Hagens Berman. “Hagens Berman has always fought for the underdog. We strive to keep ourselves grounded and nimble, and today we are humbled yet again to be a leader in the fight for plaintiffs’ rights.”

Hagens Berman was first named to the list in 2006, and has been named a total of eight years. It is one of the few firms nationally to have taken the honor eight times, five of which were consecutive.

NLJ recognized Hagens Berman’s work on groundbreaking automotive defect litigation, including a massive class action against Toyota regarding sudden unintended, acceleration in which the court granted final approval to a settlement of economic loss claims valued at $1.6 billion in benefits for class members – one of the largest settlements ever in an automotive class action. NLJ also noted that Hagens Berman earned a role as co-lead counsel in a class action representing General Motors car owners unhappy with an ignition-switch defect.

NLJ praised Hagens Berman’s 2014 settlement with Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. over exaggerated claims for their cars' fuel efficiency, resulting in a $255 million settlement for vehicle owners.

Finally, NLJ praised Hagens Berman’s leading role in national automotive cases, noting that in interviews with the publication, opposing counsel stated that the firm has “developed a specialty in larger automotive cases that have national significance," adding that although "some firms cannot see the forest though the trees, they have the ability to look at that."

Hagens Berman was founded in Seattle in 1993 and is most well-known for class-action work on behalf of consumers. The firm has grown steadily over the years, now encompassing nine offices across the country with a truly nationwide practice. The firm’s scope has also expanded, and now includes securities, investment fraud, product liability, personal injury, antitrust and fraud, employment, environmental protection, intellectual property and whistleblower cases.

The National Law Journal publishes the Plaintiffs’ Hot List annually. This year’s list appeared on Mar. 2, 2015.