The Georgia Court of Appeals reversed a Fulton County trial court’s denial of class certification in a legal action where homeowners in Atlanta, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton and Roswell who purchased houses in 2015 alleged they were overcharged in property taxes to the tune of tens of millions of dollars.

The trial court previously denied the motion, reasoning that because every homeowner was charged different amounts in property taxes, the class didn’t meet the uniform standard required for certification. However, the refrain throughout the unanimous Jan. 18 opinion authored by Judge Trea Pipkin was that just because there are differences in damages for the class members, doesn’t mean they can’t be a class.

Georgia Court of Appeals Judge Trea Pipkin. Courtesy Photo. Superior Court Judge Trea Pipkin of the Flint Judicial Circuit in Henry County, Georgia. (Courtesy photo)