In a courtroom drama echoing the intensity of a high-stakes thriller, legal representatives for a consolidated class of smartphone users, who took on tech titan Google in Northern California, are now seeking a whopping $18.6 million in legal fees plus expenses. This move comes following a landmark $62 million deal brokered between the parties.
Class Counsel Seek $18.6M From Google Tracking Settlement : Seeking Just Compensation
On Monday, legal heavyweights from Ahdoot & Wolfson PC and Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein LLP made a compelling plea in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, urging for 30% of the settlement sum and an additional $150,000 to cover expenses. Not stopping there, they also requested $5,000 each for three class representatives, capping off what they described as a “remarkable settlement.”
A Hard-Fought Battle
“After years of arduous legal battles, class counsel orchestrated a landmark settlement that not only delivers tangible relief to the proposed class but also serves as a definitive resolution to this arduous and enigmatic case,” the attorneys passionately conveyed in their memorandum accompanying the motion.
Unveiling the Settlement’s Merits
The legal team underscored the favorable terms of the April 2023 settlement, emphasizing the absence of statutory damages and dubbing the $62 million agreement as “extraordinary” given the circumstances.
Protecting Privacy, Securing Justice
The settlement encompasses a non-reversionary fund earmarked for crucial initiatives by organizations dedicated to safeguarding class members’ privacy rights. This includes endeavors focused on education, advocacy, and bolstering security against future privacy infringements.
Class Counsel Seek $18.6M From Google Tracking Settlement : A Multiplier for Milestones
In justifying the proposed 30% fee award, attorneys pointed to a “reasonable lodestar” of $12,960,632 and a “modest” 1.44 multiplier. They argued that such a multiplier is warranted considering the complexity of the case, the achieved results, and the contingent nature of their representation.
From Class Actions to Class Triumph
The saga began over five years ago when six related class actions alleged Google’s improper tracking and storage of users’ private location information. Lead plaintiff Napoleon Patacsil initiated the battle against Google Inc. in August 2018, joined by additional class representatives in subsequent legal maneuvers.
Class Counsel Seek $18.6M From Google Tracking Settlement : Paving the Way Forward
Despite initial setbacks, including a dismissal motion from Google in October 2018, the class persisted, asserting Google’s egregious violations of their privacy. The case saw twists and turns, with Judge Edward J. Davila providing opportunities for the plaintiffs to amend their claims, ultimately culminating in a landmark settlement announced in April 2023.
Champions of Justice
As the legal titans press forward in their quest for just compensation, the spotlight remains on this groundbreaking case, epitomizing the ongoing struggle for privacy rights in the digital age.
