April 19, 2023
Mass arbitration is a growing phenomenon in which thousands of plaintiffs—often consumers, employees, or independent contractors—bring arbitration demands against a company at the same time. Pursuing arbitrations in this manner can impose significant, even crippling, costs on companies, particularly in light of the hefty filing fees that many arbitration providers charge. Many companies, however, have deployed successful strategies for deterring and defending against mass arbitrations, primarily through the careful drafting of their arbitration agreements. This webcast describes some of these strategies, as well as recent developments in the law affecting mass arbitrations and the ethical concerns surrounding this issue.
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PANELISTS:
Dhananjay (DJ) Manthripragada is a partner in the Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. offices of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. He is Chair of the firm’s Government Contracts practice group, and also a member of the Litigation, Class Actions, Labor & Employment, and Aerospace and Related Technologies practice groups. Mr. Manthripragada has a broad complex litigation practice, and has served as lead counsel in precedent setting litigation before several United States Courts of Appeals, District Courts in jurisdictions across the country, California state courts, the Court of Federal Claims, and the Federal Government Boards of Contract Appeals. He has first-chair trial experience and has successfully tried to verdict both jury and bench trials, and has served as lead counsel in arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution forums. His practice spans a wide range of industries, and he has represented some of the world’s leading aerospace and defense, logistics/transportation, high-technology, finance, and pharmaceutical companies in their most significant matters. Mr. Manthripragada is also highly regarded as a trusted advisor to clients regarding significant compliance/enforcement, contract, dispute resolution, and employment issues. He was recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® Ones to Watch in Commercial Litigation in 2021 and 2022.
Michael Holecek is a litigation partner in the Los Angeles office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, where his practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, class actions, labor and employment law, and data privacy—both in the trial court and on appeal. Mr. Holecek has first-chair trial experience and has successfully tried to verdict both jury and bench trials, he has served as lead arbitration counsel, and he has presented oral argument in numerous appeals. Mr. Holecek has also authored articles on appellate procedure, civil discovery, corporate appraisal actions, data privacy, and bad-faith insurance litigation.
Jesenka Mrdjenovic is Of Counsel in Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher’s Washington, D.C. office, where she practices in the firm’s Litigation Department. Ms. Mrdjenovic represents clients in complex litigation and appellate matters, with a particular focus on class action defense. She has represented clients at the trial and appellate levels in matters involving constitutional, employment, intellectual property, consumer protection, and antitrust law. Ms. Mrdjenovic previously served as senior counsel for one of the nation’s largest mortgage lenders and Chief Litigation Officer to a holding company connecting more than 100 portfolio entities in a broad range of industries. In her role as an in-house attorney, Ms. Mrdjenovic managed complex litigation matters and advised senior management on a variety of legal, contract, and regulatory issues.
MCLE CREDIT INFORMATION:
This program has been approved for credit in accordance with the requirements of the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board for a maximum of 1.0 credit hour, of which 1.0 credit hour may be applied toward the areas of professional practice requirement. This course is approved for transitional/non-transitional credit.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP certifies that this activity has been approved for MCLE credit by the State Bar of California in the amount of 1.0 General hour.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is authorized by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to provide in-house CPD training. This program is approved for CPD credit in the amount of 1.0 hour. Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (Number 324652).
Neither the Connecticut Judicial Branch nor the Commission on Minimum Continuing Legal Education approve or accredit CLE providers or activities. It is the opinion of this provider that this activity qualifies for up to 1 hour toward your annual CLE requirement in Connecticut, including 0 hour(s) of ethics/professionalism.
Application for approval is pending with the Colorado, Virginia, Texas and Washington State Bars.