TMLG would like to thank its co-counsel, clients, and community partners for working toward justice during 2018. Together we achieved the following successes:
Improving the Law through Appeals
- Helped obtain a ruling that makes it more difficult for Washington employers to escape class action liability for meal and rest break violations in Chavez v. Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital at Pasco (Washington Supreme Court, as amicus curiae).
- Established the right of “piece rate” fruit pickers to receive at least minimum wage for non-piece-rate work in Carranza v. Dovex Fruit Company (Washington Supreme Court).
- Established that employees paid for certain “production minutes” must be compensated at the minimum wage for all other work in Hill v. Xerox Business Services, LLC (Washington Supreme Court).
- Obtained an order reversing dismissal of a complaint alleging that a Washington statute violates due process by permitting the eviction of tenants without a hearing in Moore v. Johanknecht (Ninth Circuit).
Enforcing the Rights of Consumers in Class Actions
- Sued payday lenders for using “rent-a-tribe” schemes to avoid application of state usury laws and defeated a motion to compel arbitration.
- Defeated a motion to dismiss claims against Centene for selling health insurance plans that do not provide the promised benefits in Harvey v. Centene Management Company, LLC.
- Defeated a motion to dismiss claims that Ford concealed a defect causing its panoramic sunroofs to shatter spontaneously in Beaty v. Ford Motor Company.
- Obtained preliminary approval of a $17,000,000 settlement for a certified class of homeowners who were locked out of their homes in Jordan v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC.
- Certified consumer protection claims against a debt collector that used “payment plan” forms to waive consumers’ right to notice of subsequent lawsuits filed against them in Miller v. P.S.C., Inc.
- Negotiated class action settlements up to $28,000,000 on behalf of consumers who received illegal robocalls or texts.
Protecting Workers
- Negotiated agreement requiring the federal government to better protect Hanford workers from toxic chemical vapors in Hanford Challenge et al. v. Perry et al.
- Negotiated a $5.75 million class action settlement for overtime, rest break, and unlawful deduction claims on behalf of truck drivers in Mendis v. Schneider National Carriers, Inc.
- Negotiated a $2.5 million class action settlement for migrant and seasonal farm workers who were not properly paid for rest breaks and all hours worked in Martinez v. Auvil Fruit Co., Inc.
- Negotiated a $2.55 million class action settlement for overtime, rest and meal break, prevailing wage, and unpaid time claims on behalf of concrete pump truck operators in Lowry v. Ralph’s Concrete Pumping, Inc.
TMLG proudly supports organizations like Public Justice, Fair Work Center, The National Consumer Law Center, Towards Justice, The Consumer Federation of America, and Public Citizen. We look forward to continuing to partner with you to protect workers, consumers, and other individuals and groups whose rights have been violated.