Praise for LDGR
Print PageIn Simmermon v. Dryvit Systems, Inc., ___ N.J. ___ (N.J. Aug. 11, 2008), the Supreme Court of New Jersey cited with approval the book entitled “Civil Trial Preparation” co-authored by Bruce D. Greenberg for the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education.
In Pierros v. City of Paterson, Docket No. L-925-06 (N.J. Super., Law Div., Passaic Cty., Oct. 22, 2007), Judge Anthony J. Graziano complimented Victor A. Afanador, stating "we deal with attorneys that represent municipalities all the time. Sometimes better, sometimes for worse. It's always a pleasure to have you here. I think the public is very well served by you and your firm in these matters."
In Chin v. DaimlerChrysler Corp., 2007 WL 1437705 (D.N.J. May 15, 2007), in which LDGR served as Co-Lead Counsel, Judge John C. Lifland said that "[p]laintiffs' attorneys demonstrated skill in a long, hard-fought, and difficult litigation" that had begun in 1995. Judge Lifland concluded that plaintiffs' attorneys' efforts had been the catalyst for relief worth over $54 million to purchasers and lessees of Chrysler vehicles.
In re Motorola Securities Litigation, No. 03 C 00287 (N.D. Ill.), in which LDGR served as Co-Lead Counsel, Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer complimented Co-Lead Counsel on the “great, very professional job” that they did in achieving a $193 million settlement after four years of litigation, and just three business days before trial was to have begun. Judge Pallmeyer said that Co-Lead Counsel had waged “a hard fought battle” in a case that posed “significant risk.”
In In re Electrical Carbon Products Antitrust Litigation, 447 F. Supp. 2d 389, 406 (D.N.J. 2006), in which LDGR served as Co-Liaison Counsel, Judge Jerome B. Simandle noted that “Class Counsel and Liaison Counsel demonstrated the skills and effectiveness that come from seasoning and experience in class action litigation, and more particularly in antitrust cases.”
In In re Bristol-Myers Securities Litigation, Civil Action No. 00-1990 (D.N.J.), Judge Stanley R. Chesler characterized the $185 million settlement for securities purchasers there as "a wonderful settlement" that had been achieved "only through hard work" by Class Counsel, whom he found to be "extremely skilled and efficient" in dealing with litigation that was "extraordinary in the Court's view in comparison to most securities cases which the Court has had experience with."
In Galanti v. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Civil Action No. 03-209 (SRC) (D.N.J.), LDGR played a leading role in securing a $300 million settlement for the class. Judge Stanley R. Chesler said "in many, many ways this case is a demonstration of how class action litigation is supposed to work and the reason why class actions have indeed been authorized ...." Judge Chesler also noted "how impressed the Court has been with the ability and skill of all the attorneys who have litigated before the Court and was, indeed, extraordinarily impressed with the manner in which they've been able to lead this case to the settlement which has resulted."
In Varacallo v. Massachusetts Mutual Life Ins. Co., 226 F.R.D. 207 (D.N.J. 2005), in which LDGR served as Co-Lead Counsel, Judge Jose L. Linares recognized LDGR as "experienced and skilled class action counsel" who "displayed their diligent and competent representation" and "had to exercise great skill and dedication" in achieving the $768 million settlement there.
In In re Nazi Era Cases Against German Defendants, 198 F.R.D. 429 (D.N.J. 2000), a multi-district litigation case that ultimately led to the creation of a settlement fund of over $5 billion for the class, Judge William G. Bassler expressed his "appreciation" to Allyn Z. Lite for his "tireless efforts and assistance to the Court."
In In re AremisSoft Corp. Securities Litigation, 01-CV-2486 (JAP) (D.N.J.), a case in which LDGR and its co-counsel have already recovered over $250 million for the class, Judge Joel A. Pisano noted "Plaintiffs' Counsel are highly experienced in securities class action litigation.... They have demonstrated their expertise in this matter via their ability to proceed efficiently and professionally even under the time constraints of this large, complex case. Furthermore, Plaintiffs' Counsel diligently and aggressively represented their clients and the Class before this Court and in the negotiations with AremisSoft's counsel." Judge Pisano further stated:
I didn't want to be remiss by failing to recognize [co-counsel], Mr. DePalma, all of the efforts that class counsel themselves have made . . . going out trying to find assets on behalf of your clients and now to have you agree to further compromise your fees, to me, is extraordinary. It is again I think an extremely professional and honorable gesture on your parts, all of which inures to the benefit of the class ....
In Princeton Economics Group v. AT&T, Docket No. MER-L-3221-91 (Superior Court of New Jersey, Mercer Cty.), in which LDGR was Co-Lead Counsel and achieved a nationwide consumer class action settlement worth over $85 million, Judge Philip S. Carchman complimented Co-Lead Counsel's "demonstrated advocacy skills" and overall "skills and expertise" in overcoming what he called the defendant's "scorched earth" defense tactics. He concluded that "[i]f not for the skill and experience of class counsel, a settlement may not have been reached or, if it had been reached, may have resulted in a significantly diminished recovery for the class."
In Brennan v. Orban, 145 N.J. 282 (1996), a unanimous opinion by the Supreme Court of New Jersey praised and adopted an analysis of civil jury trial rights contained in an article co-authored by Bruce D. Greenberg. Among other cases that have cited Mr. Greenberg's writings with approval are State v. One 1990 Honda Accord, 154 N.J. 373 (1998), State v. P.Z., 152 N.J. 86 (1997), Lyn-Anna Properties v. Harborview Development Corp., 145 N.J. 313 (1996), and State v. Yoskowitz, 116 N.J. 679 (1989).
District of New Jersey courts have repeatedly cited Allyn Z. Lite's authoritative book, New Jersey Federal Civil Practice Rules, with approval. Among the many cases that have relied upon Mr. Lite's book are Amboy Bancorporation v. Jenkens & Gilchrist, 2006 WL 1098020 (D.N.J. March 31, 2006), Koch Materials Co. v. Shore Slurry Seal, Inc., 216 F.R.D. 301 (D.N.J. 2003), Shamshoum v. Bombay Café, 257 F. Supp. 2d 777 (D.N.J. 2003), and United States v. Forbes, 150 F. Supp. 2d 672 (D.N.J. 2001) ("the commentary to Local Rule 18.1 provided by Allyn Z. Lite, former Clerk of the Court, accurately states the practice in this district").
