Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro’s precision handling of Toyota Motor Corp.’s sudden-acceleration litigation led to the largest automotive settlement in history this year. The 60-attorney firm was co-lead counsel in the economic damages class action, helping to secure a settlement valued at $1.6 billion. A federal judge in Santa Ana, Calif., gave final approval to the deal in July. Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy and Susman Godfrey were the other lead counsel.
Firm founder Steve Berman was reserved about his role. “I don’t know if it was force of personality, availability, whatever, but I became the de facto chair of both the litigation and the settlement,” he said. One attorney who has defended against Hagens Berman called Berman a “difficult adversary” but added: “When he gives you his word, you can bank on it.” The attorney requested anonymity due to pending litigation.
