Damages in Consumer Class Actions

Statutes, Standards, and Strategies: A Deep Dive into California Consumer Class Damages

This 60-minute program, Damages in Consumer Class Actions, provides a California-focused examination of the evolving legal standards governing damages in consumer class litigation. Drawing insights from both plaintiff and defense perspectives, the session explores key statutes including the UCL, CLRA, and FAL, and examines how differing state and federal approaches shape outcomes. The panel will discuss leading cases, emerging theories of damages, and practical challenges in certifying and defending damages models. Attendees will gain valuable guidance on reconciling individual and classwide damages, navigating discovery, and addressing settlement, injunctive relief, and cy pres remedies.

Welcome & Overview

• - Introductions and housekeepingOverview of Damages in California Consumer Class Actions
• Interaction Between State and Federal Standards (UCL, CLRA, FAL, and restitution)
• Key Cases Shaping Damage Theories and Certification Requirements
• Common Challenges in Certifying and Defending Damages Models
• Reconciling Differences Between Individual and Classwide Damages
• Plaintiff and Defense Strategies in Pleading and Discovery
• Practical Considerations for Settlement, Injunctive Relief, and Cy Pres Remedies
• Q&A and Key Takeaway

Faculty

David Biderman

David Biderman is a partner at Perkins Coie and serves as chair of the firm's Consumer Products & Services Litigation group. With more than 39 years of experience, he has a distinguished practice representing companies in consumer class actions, commercial disputes, and mass tort litigation. He is nationally recognized for his work defending food, beverage, and consumer goods companies in federal and state courts, and he frequently writes and lectures on class action and food litigation developments. David teaches at UCLA School of Law, is active in professional organizations, and has been honored by Chambers USA and Best Lawyers in America for his litigation work

Gillian Wade

Gillian Wade is a partner at Wade Kilpela Slade LLP and is nationally recognized for her expertise in consumer class actions and complex litigation. With over 15 years of experience, she has served as lead or co-lead counsel in more than 75 consumer fraud class actions and has represented plaintiffs in cases involving California’s unfair competition law, false advertising law, the Consumer Legal Remedies Act, data privacy, antitrust, and product liability. Gillian frequently lectures and writes on class action practice, serves on advisory boards for UCLA and national litigation forums, and has been selected as a Southern California Super Lawyer annually since 2013.

​