Arguing Class Actions is a monthly column for the National Law Journal.

Reduced to our most basic function, the role of the trial attorney representing consumers, small businesses, and public clients is twofold. First, we establish liability by showing that a defendant is engaged in unlawful, injurious conduct. After that, we demonstrate that the conduct has harmed an individual or a class of individuals, entitling them to some form of damages. Whether we’re talking about a bet-the-company, multidistrict products liability case, or a personal injury action stemming from a dog bite, the plaintiffs attorney’s job effectively remains the same.