Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_19-cv-04744/USCOURTS-cand-3_19-cv-04744-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 850
Nature of Suit: Securities, Commodities, Exchange
Cause of Action: 15:78m(a) Securities Exchange Act

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DOUGLAS GREENE,

Plaintiff,

v.

GRANITE CONSTRUCTION 

INCORPORATED, et al.,

Defendants.

No. C 19-04744 WHA 

ORDER APPROVING LEAD

PLAINTIFF’S SELECTION OF 

COUNSEL

A November 26 order appointed The Police Retirement System of St. Louis as lead 

plaintiff. St. Louis now moves for appointment of lead counsel. In compliance with the 

November 26 order, St. Louis has submitted under seal declarations and exhibits explaining the 

due diligence it has undertaken in its selection of counsel including a certification that no “pay 

to play” took place as well as an explanation of why it favors its selected counsel over other 

potential candidates. 

Pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, “[t]he most adequate plaintiff 

shall, subject to the approval of the court, select and retain counsel to represent the class.” 15 

U.S.C. 78u–4(a)(3)(B)(v). “[I]f the lead plaintiff has made a reasonable choice of counsel, the 

district court should generally defer to that choice.” Cohen v. U.S. Dist. Court for N. Dist. Of 

Cal., 586 F.3d 703, 712 (9th Cir. 2009).

Case 3:19-cv-04744-WHA Document 63 Filed 01/16/20 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

Originally, lead plaintiff was represented by Robbins LLP, but following its diligence

process, lead plaintiff has now selected Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP as class counsel. Based 

on explanations by lead plaintiff and based on the Court’s review of the materials submitted,

including the fee arrangements and track record submitted by all candidates, the Court appoints 

the firm of Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP as class counsel. 

The Court appreciates the time and effort undertaken by the other firms that applied to 

serve as counsel for lead plaintiff. Lead plaintiff shall file a consolidated complaint by 

FEBRUARY 20 AT NOON. Defendants may file a motion to dismiss (or answer) by MARCH 26

AT NOON. Any such motion shall be noticed on the normal 35-day track.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 16, 2020. 

WILLIAM ALSUP

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 3:19-cv-04744-WHA Document 63 Filed 01/16/20 Page 2 of 2