I want to file a class action lawsuit. How do I convince other affected to file with me?

Question

I want to file a class action lawsuit. How do I convince other affected to file with me?

Answer

"Other affected?" How many others? A class action lawsuit requires numerous plaintiffs. Probably more than a dozen. Hundreds is typical. Get a law firm with substantial prior experience in initiating class-action lawsuits. This is NO arena for beginners!

Answer

Mr. Whipple usually gives really outstanding answers, and he is right in most respects this time, particularly that you need to locate a firm that specializes in representing plaintiffs in class actions. He is wrong, however, that a class action lawsuit requires any more than one plaintiff, and a handful is more than enough in almost any case. He is confusing the plaintiff CLASS with the number of plaintiffs who file. In many cases there is no need to recruit anyone else to join the lawsuit, and in most cases a very few will do and the class action attorneys know how to recruit them without violating professional ethics rules. So you leave it up to them. The members of the defined class are then automatically made part of the case if the class is certified. Then if there is a judgment or settlement, they are notified and given the opportunity to participate in the recovery, or to opt out and sue by themselves, none of which is up to you to deal with. I have friends at a couple of top class action firms, so if you would like a referral, feel free to contact me by email.