Opinion ID: 391390
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Are the named plaintiffs adequate class representatives under Fed.R.Civ.P. 23(a)(4)?

Text: 52 A third related question that is not now before us is whether on remand the named plaintiffs can adequately represent their purported classes in accordance with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(a)(4). 11 A holding that a class action need not be dismissed for mootness despite the expiration or satisfaction of the named plaintiffs' personal claims does not automatically establish that (the named plaintiffs are) entitled to litigate the interests of the class (they) seek to represent, but it does shift the focus of examination from the elements of justiciability to the ability of the named representative to 'fairly and adequately protect the interests of the class.' Rule 23(a). Sosna v. Iowa, 419 U.S. 393, 403, 95 S.Ct. 553, 559, 42 L.Ed.2d 532 (1975). See United States Parole Commission v. Geraghty, supra, 445 U.S. at 405-07, 100 S.Ct. at 1214; Ford v. United States Steel Corp., 638 F.2d 753, 761-62 (5th Cir. 1981); Harris v. Peabody, 611 F.2d 543, 554 (5th Cir. 1980). 53 We think it clear that Zeidman and Youngelson are adequate class representatives for the narrow purpose now at issue, i. e., for the prosecution both of this appeal and of their pending motion for certification in the district court. Both named plaintiffs refused the defendants' tender and continued vigorously and competently to urge class certification, and we perceive no conflict of interest between these named plaintiffs and the unnamed members of the classes they seek to represent. Moreover, little or no active representation is required at this point in order for the district court to hear the plaintiffs' certification motion; the additional evidence on numerosity required by the district court has already been submitted to the court and the other class action prerequisites have already been ruled on by the court. 54 While we conclude that Zeidman and Youngelson may continue to urge class certification, however, we need not decide in this appeal whether these named plaintiffs are adequate class representatives under Rule 23(a)(4) for the purpose of representing their purported classes on the merits. Since no class has yet been certified, we leave that issue to the district court. If and when the court certifies the classes which Zeidman and Youngelson seek to represent, the court should then determine whether (these named plaintiffs) may continue to press the class claims or whether another representative would be appropriate. Geraghty, 445 U.S. at 407, 100 S.Ct. at 1214. 55