Opinion ID: 2623432
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: adequate protection of the interests of the class

Text: ¶ 28 Section 2023(A)(4) requires that a class action may be maintained only if [t]he representative parties will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the class. This requirement is met when the record demonstrates that the class representatives interests do not conflict with those of the class and that the class representatives will fully and effectively represent the interests of the class. See Black Hawk Oil, 969 P.2d at 346 & 347. ¶ 29 DaimlerChrysler asserts that the class representatives and their counsel are inadequate. Yet, it fails to identify any divergence between the interests of the class representatives and those of the class. Rather, DaimlerChrysler suggests that Plaintiffs are inadequate class representatives because they were solicited to merely lend their names to a suit entirely controlled by Plaintiffs' counsel. ¶ 30 The record in this matter supports the trial court's finding that no improper solicitation of Plaintiffs occurred as well as its findings that Plaintiffs are adequately informed as to the facts of the case, their responsibilities as class representatives, and their knowledge of the litigation. As class representatives, Plaintiffs are not required to have an attorney's knowledge of the litigation. ¶ 31 The trial court's finding concerning Plaintiffs' counsel is also supported by the record. The trial court did not, as DaimlerChrysler claims, merely parrot unsupported assertions made by Plaintiffs' counsel concerning counsels' experience and success in litigation when they drafted the class certification order for the judge's signature. [7] The trial court based its conclusion that counsel was competent to prosecute the claims on counsels' curriculum vitae and on the fact that some of the counsel had litigated class actions in that court. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in determining that the class representatives and their counsel are adequate to protect the interests of the class.