Source: https://www.scribd.com/document/305267767/Freidman-Ravelo-Australia-Reserve-Bank-Intel-Sharing-thru-mob-run-scam-litigation-support-firms-like-Trevor-McTaggart-s-protected-racket-Constanti
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 00:23:37+00:00

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The Buckle, Inc.; Euromarket Designs, Inc. d/b/a Crate & Barrel and CB2, Meadowbrook, L.L.C.
Starbucks Corporation; Stein Mart, Inc.; Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.; The Wet Seal, Inc., and YUM!
3 Friedman effectively treated Ravelo as a member 1 For the Court’s information. Decl.7 .”2 Visa. longtime counsel for MasterCard. and Keila Ravelo. Feb. 05-md-1720 ECF No. Am. and American Express. No.D. and thus are absent members of the mandatory classes in both cases. interlocking anti-steering rules. and in fact put in for about $10. Ravelo. *164 (E. longtime counsel for MasterCard. Undlin at Exhibit A. long maintained similar. 2 United States v. of Thomas J. Mr. Express Co. The most important goal of this litigation was injunctive relief that would revise these rules to allow merchants to use differential steering. 512 at 7 n. Mr. Dist. Friedman challenged American Express’s anti-steering rules.1 PRELIMINARY STATEMENT There are powerful new reasons for the Court to reject this unfair settlement that seeks to bind millions of merchants and has drawn objections from the nation’s largest retailers.2.N. See 10-cv-4496 ECF No. adversary to the merchant class. a “dynamic” otherwise “ubiquitous” in retail. 3 Even if Friedman only represented a class of American Express merchants—which he did not. and they shared a keen common interest to block or minimize any changes that could strengthen the bargaining position of merchants through differential surcharging. LEXIS 20114. lead class counsel in this case and a senior member of the class counsel firms in MDL 1720. 1 333787.The 7-Eleven Objectors respectfully make this submission concerning the impact of communications between Gary Friedman. 19. Objectors and Discover have served a motion in MDL 1720 seeking to reopen the final judgment approving the settlement in that case based on the Friedman/Ravelo communications. MasterCard. but “absent in the credit card industry.S. has betrayed the class he purports to represent by secretly collaborating with Keila Ravelo. at *8. longtime counsel for MasterCard. 2015). As lead counsel. 2015 U. the three dominant players. while purporting to represent mandatory classes of virtually all of the nation’s merchants in this case and in MDL 1720.5 million in time and expenses in MDL 1720—virtually all Amex-accepting merchants also accept MasterCard and Visa.. 2113-2. Friedman was covertly collaborating with Ms. including rules against surcharging.Y. Astoundingly. The Court should reject this settlement because its architect. lead counsel Gary Friedman.
of obligations of confidentiality.7 . confidentiality. The Friedman-Ravelo Communications Reveal Disabling Conflicts of Interest That Harmed the Class The Friedman-Ravelo communications show a longstanding relationship that spanned decades and extended to personal. and the Court.of his litigation team. 2 333787. 2113-6. Friedman improperly took the record he had ostensibly developed to benefit the class in this case and used it to help Ravelo counsel MasterCard. Ravelo maintained a deep relationship with MasterCard over two decades as a partner at three major law firms. even though virtually the entire class was also adverse to MasterCard in MDL 1720. And he did so to pave the way for a settlement that served his interests and those of Ravelo. The documents show hundreds of violations of the Court’s protective order. 5 The annexed declaration from Professor Roy D. Craig Wildfang ¶ 125. in disregard for fundamental duties of professional responsibility—candor. Friedman repeatedly sought Ravelo’s advice in this case. and financial matters. and loyalty—owed to a lawyer’s clients. No.. notwithstanding the stark opposition between the interests of MasterCard (and American Express) and those of merchants.4 Yet. Decl. The communications between Friedman and Ravelo reveal—at a minimum—that Friedman’s multifaceted personal and professional relationship with Ravelo rendered him deeply conflicted and incapable of zealously representing the interests of merchants adverse to MasterCard’s and American Express’s interests.5 Lest there be any doubt. Hunton & Williams and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP. an expert in legal ethics (attached as Exhibit 1). Simon. 05md-1720 ECF No. the evidence also shows Friedman acted on these conflicts. Friedman disclosed a 4 Friedman was a “senior member” of the MDL 1720 class counsel team. and of the duty of loyalty owed to the class. professional. outlines the multiple—and unprecedented—ethical conflicts reflected in the Friedman/Ravelo communications. of K. colleagues. Jr. I. despite the fact that MasterCard shared American Express’s interest in reducing merchant bargaining power by limiting differential steering and that Ravelo was actively defending MasterCard against similar claims brought by the merchant class in MDL 1720. Clifford Chance. counsel for MasterCard.
this amounted to a per se conflict that could not have been waived by the clients had it been disclosed 6 Friedman secretly gave Ravelo vast amounts of his own work product and that of other plaintiffs suing American Express. Friedman’s co-counsel stated that ECF No. 7 8 3 333787.staggering amount of confidential information to Ravelo far too lengthy to catalog here.7 He freely shared the settlement positions of the class and American Express. Most importantly. While there is much that is unknown because the documents show that Friedman and Ravelo regularly arranged to speak by phone or in person. See ECF No. 572 at 2. Friedman did not disclose his relationship with Ravelo to co-counsel or clients in this case or MDL1720. sharing all aspects of the case—from draft complaints to damages analyses to appellate strategy.6 Quite simply. including key litigation and settlement strategies in both actions. the documents show: 1. Friedman and Ravelo also kept this collaboration secret from the courts and from counsel with whom Friedman cooperated under a common interest agreement. covert collaboration about this case and MDL 1720. Friedman treated Ravelo as a member of his team. as shown by hundreds of objections to disclosure on work product grounds. including frequent. 594 at 2. After their communications were revealed.7 .8 According to the accompanying declaration of ethics expert Roy Simon. hundreds of documents highlight troubling aspects of the relationship.
4 333787. Friedman worked to covertly facilitate the MDL 1720 settlement on terms favorable to MasterCard (and less favorable to the merchant class in this case and MDL 1720) to help his close friend and to set up the parity surcharging settlement currently sub judice. ¶ 22-33. 11 Due to the sensitivity of the materials— —Objectors.7 . as non-parties. making the material Friedman shared with Ravelo highly valuable. Ravelo While Friedman shared how American Express might react to the proposed surcharging relief in MDL 9 See Declaration of Professor Roy D. Most egregiously. merchants are permitted to surcharge Visa and MasterCard only on the same terms as they are permitted to surcharge the transactions of more expensive networks such as American Express. Friedman told Ravelo that Over the next six months while the MDL 1720 settlement was being negotiated. Immediately prior to a critical court conference.9 2. directly harming the members of the American Express class. Because of the LPF. which it was not. Friedman provided But Friedman provided this information to help MasterCard.to them. merchants who—with few exceptions—also accept Visa and MasterCard. the potential outcome of the American Express case became quite consequential to the MDL 1720 negotiations. Simon. 10 Under the LPF in the MDL 1720 settlement. Jr. attached as Exhibit 1. were only permitted to review them in a conference room.
1760.13 Friedman also disclosed work product from MDL 1720. 1531.12 Nor did he inform his clients in this case that he was funneling information to MasterCard’s lawyer that was not provided to class counsel or the class representatives in MDL 1720.14 Friedman twice shared key internal memoranda detailing as the parties were negotiating the final details of the settlement.1720. he did not share that information with his clients in MDL 1720 (comprised of a class of merchants that included virtually all of the merchants that would be bound by this settlement).7 . Friedman and Ravelo agreed to become business partners and explored other joint business opportunities and 12 MDL 1720 class counsel brought an “untimely” motion to compel the production of this key evidence only after the close of discovery and settlement. supposedly at arm’s length. Reflecting the depth of their relationship. 2/1/13 Minute Entry. 13 14 15 5 333787. including work product during the negotiations of the settlement in that case.15 3. See 05-md-1720 ECF Nos.
. 863.” Ortiz v. Ex. in a class with objectors.S. where “[t]he legal rights of absent class members . . at 852. 620 (1997).S. 591.” Amchem Prods. 40. 521 U. Windsor. 1 ¶ 37-38. II. A class must receive “conflict-free counsel” who can engage in “arms-length bargaining unhindered by any considerations tugging against the interests of the parties ostensibly represented in the negotiation. or. their express wish to the contrary. 527 U.investments. . Heightened scrutiny is even more essential in a mandatory settlement. are resolved regardless either of their consent. .. . v.” Ortiz. The Conflicts of Interest Require Denial of Class Certification The Supreme Court has held that class action settlements “demand undiluted. Inc.16 Friedman even Professor Simon describes these relationships as creating a “significant risk” of impropriety. even heightened. 527 U. a risk that clearly materialized in this case. 16 17 18 19 6 333787.7 . 815. attention .S. 847 (1999).. Fibreboard Corp.
. Wolf.3d 718. Settlement proponents bear the burden to show adequate representation. Wagner v. 1986) (certification denied where proposed class counsel was a silent accomplice in false testimony at deposition). 150.Y.D. 753 F.. as they will stand in a fiduciary relationship with the class.. Similarly. 2014) (citing cases). “Misconduct by class counsel that creates a serious doubt that counsel will represent the class loyally requires denial of class certification.. Dist. Serv. As multiple courts have held. See. 661 (N. Kulig. 723 (7th Cir. Taub v. London v.N.D. 1970) (certification denied because of attorney’s improper conduct in attempting to communicate with parties concerning a matter before the court. Pella Corp.S. at *8-9 (certification denied because of counsel’s failure to communicate settlement offer to client). 2014 U. LEXIS 9352.Y.S.g.R. Dist. Dist. 1977) (where class counsel were plaintiff’s brother and an attorney from a neighboring firm. 646 F. 643. 159-61 (S. Lindt & Sprungli (USA). at *8-9 (S. Susman v. 2014 U. see Chana Friedman-Katz v. Sept. Glickman.. 1970 U. 7 333787.D.” Eubank v. Inc. 26.3d 1246. without even finding a violation of any disciplinary rule). LEXIS 137254. “Court may consider the honesty and integrity of the putative class counsels. 14 Fed.“[B]ecause class actions are rife with potential conflicts of interest between class counsel and class members.g.D. 2014) (internal quotation and citation omitted).2d 86. 1249-50. Inc. Corp. See. 2010) (in considering adequacy. Friedman signaled to Ravelo 20 Applying this principle. e. 1255 (11th Cir. R.” courts must give “careful scrutiny to the terms of proposed settlements in order to make sure that class counsel are behaving as honest fiduciaries for the class as a whole.N.D.Y. Throughout the litigation. Ill. 95 (7th Cir. at *6-7 (S. 2003) (finding plaintiff improper class representative where he and attorney had been close friends since high school. Supp. Inc.N. LLC. LEXIS 137254.. Kuhn Loeb. adverse to his clients in parallel litigation over similar if not identical issues. courts have repeatedly denied class certification when class counsel have engaged in conduct less problematic than Friedman’s.2d 365.7 .” Kulig v.20 The record shows that Friedman’s deep personal and professional relationship with Ravelo while she represented MasterCard.”). Midland Funding. Lincoln Am. 270 F. 340 F. Wal-Mart Stores. 561 F. e. and had a previous business relationship). 2d 847.S. 1981) (“lack of credibility rendered [plaintiff] an inadequate class representative”). plaintiff not proper class representative). courts have found less egregious conflicts of interest to require denial of class certification. rendered him hopelessly conflicted in his representation of the class—and Friedman acted on these conflicts to the detriment of the class. see also Panzirer v. 663 F. 369 (2d Cir. Lehman Bros.
to render him an inadequate representative for this class. standing alone. Throughout the MDL 1720 settlement negotiation.7 . It also should be sufficient to show that the settlement is substantively unfair. including by disclosing to her critical information withheld from his clients in MDL 1720 (who are also members of this class).21 That Friedman was willing and the confidential American Express materials he gave to Ravelo strongly support such a case—f speaks volumes about Friedman’s dedication to the interests of this proposed mandatory class. Friedman helped Ravelo counsel MasterCard. as it would lock in an anticompetitive result that would achieve nothing but to protect American Express (and the other dominant networks) from meaningful competition.22 That conclusion is powerfully supported by the vast record of improper communications between Friedman and Ravelo that breached this Court’s protective order and compromised the interests of merchants. Friedman 22 8 333787. apparently to pave the way for this settlement. That Friedman understood that should be sufficient.
like American Express’s. Friedman’s insights about the LPF’s potential impact on this case should not have been shared with an adversary whose interests with respect to surcharging were aligned with American Express. LEXIS 20114. but to highlight Friedman’s betrayal of the putative class in this case. MasterCard—only recently overtaken by American Express23—shared American Express’s fear of differential surcharging because its business model. .”). Am.24 As virtually all of the members of the putative class in this case also accept MasterCard. not to mention vast portions of the confidential record.7 . respectively. If more is required to show Friedman’s lack of credibility. sharing Friedman’s learning. Those insights should have been deployed to maximize merchants’ ability to achieve differential surcharging across the board. . Even though he knew what he was doing was wrong. 2015 U. maintaining [in 2013] an 8 basis point and 3 basis point premium over Visa and MasterCard. Friedman claimed that “[i]n 23 24 United States v.We call the Court’s attention to this not because we are asking the Court to second guess the MDL 1720 settlement. The handiwork of such an ethically compromised and plainly inadequate lead counsel should not be approved. Friedman shared work product and confidential American Express materials with his close friend to help her counsel MasterCard. on a mix-adjusted basis. Yet that is exactly what Friedman did. 9 333787. at *157 (“American Express has successfully pursued a premium pricing strategy for decades . the materials Friedman shared with Ravelo also refute some of the central arguments he made to support this settlement.S. Express Co. To support the idea that parity surcharging has value for merchants. is based on charging merchants higher prices than Visa. with MasterCard’s lawyer to help MasterCard (and ultimately American Express) lock in parity surcharging was diametrically opposed to the interests of the class.. Dist. but instead they were used to help MasterCard’s lawyer counsel MasterCard.
. 582 at 8. this settlement cannot be salvaged by the presence of a mediator or co-counsel. where the same surcharge amount is imposed on all credit card brands. Friedman’s distortions about Australia confirm his inadequacy.” it is impossible to determine the value of settled claims and therefore impossible to determine what was bargained away by conflicted counsel. as American Express suggests. . 2011).” ECF No. Against this backdrop. none of the troubling facts here were disclosed.26 Due process demands that a mandatory class deserves better—fully adequate and conflict-free counsel. Databases Copyright Litig.Australia. the Second Circuit vacated a settlement despite Kenneth Feinberg’s work as a mediator. In re Literary Works in Elec. Friedman was the decision-maker and lead lawyer. the Court should deny the motion for final approval of the proposed settlement. 10 333787. because “in the absence of independent representation.3d 242.7 . making it impossible to limit damage to the class. 511 at 5. ECF No. 25 26 In the face of inadequate representation. CONCLUSION For the reasons stated above and in the 7-Eleven Objectors’ previous submissions. 654 F. the overwhelming majority of surcharging is ‘simple surcharging’ . Moreover. 253 (2d Cir. .
com Attorneys for 7-Eleven Objectors 11 333787.7 . Malone A.DATED: July 28. Owen Glist 335 Madison Avenue New York. New York CONSTANTINE CANNON LLP By: /s Jeffrey I. New York 10017 Telephone: (212) 350-2700 Facsimile: (212) 350-2701 Email: jshinder@constantinecannon. Shinder Gary J. 2015 New York.

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