Lane et al v. Wells Fargo Bank NA
Filing
167
ORDER APPOINTING CLASS COUNSEL, CERTIFYING CLASS, AND SETTING BRIEFING SCHEDULE re 157 Order on Motion to Certify Class, Order on Motion to Intervene, Order on Motion for Leave to File,,,. Signed by Judge Alsup on 8/16/2013. (whalc2, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 8/16/2013)
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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
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FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
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For the Northern District of California
United States District Court
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MERCEDES GUERRERO, individually,
and for other persons similarly situated,
DANNY LANE and BEVERLY LANE,
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Plaintiffs,
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No. C 12-04026 WHA
ORDER APPOINTING CLASS
COUNSEL, CERTIFYING CLASS,
AND SETTING BRIEFING SCHEDULE
v.
WELLS FARGO BANK N.A.,
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Defendant.
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By order dated June 21, 2013, a California class was conditionally certified herein, with
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plaintiff Mercedes Guerrero as class representative (Dkt. No. 157). Certification of the class was
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conditioned on the Court receiving and evaluating applications from qualified counsel to
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represent the class. In response to the notice requesting applications, published on the Court’s
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website, nine proposals were received. The Court thanks all applicants.
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Having considered all proposals, including the requested supplemental submissions, this
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order HEREBY APPOINTS Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP (Steve Berman, Sean Matt,
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Thomas Loeser, and Jeff Friedman) as class counsel for the California class and as counsel for
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plaintiff Guerrero in her individual capacity. If Guerrero wishes, the Owings Law Firm,
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Wagoner Law Firm, P.A., Walker Law PLC, and the Law Office of Sheri L. Kelly may also be
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co-counsel for her in her individual capacity, but not in her capacity as class representative.
With respect to potential conflicts, the Court takes counsel at their word that there are no
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conflicts. The Court is mindful of Hagens Bermans’ role in the New Jersey action. In the event
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that any conflict arises, the Court expects Hagens Berman to raise the issue with the Court.
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Accordingly, the class defined in the Court’s June 21 order is HEREBY CERTIFIED UNDER RULE
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23. Mercedes Guerrero is APPOINTED as class representative of the class.
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Before notice is sent to the class — which in this case will need to be by first-class mail
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— counsel for both sides shall consult the files of Wells Fargo to compile a list of all class
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members and their addresses. By NOON ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2013, counsel shall file the list under
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seal. At the same time, counsel shall submit an agreed-on proposed form of class notice and plan
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of dissemination.
The next step in this action is to set a briefing schedule to address the claim under the
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For the Northern District of California
United States District Court
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Bank Company Holding Act. As stated in the June 21 order, the motion for class certification as
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to this claim has been held in abeyance pending briefing on whether the amended complaint
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states a claim upon which relief can be granted. Judge Edward Chen has addressed this issue in
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a similar force-placed insurance case (Cannon v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., No. 12-1376 (N.D.
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Cal. 2012)). Both parties should file briefs addressing both Judge Chen and the undersigned’s
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earlier orders on whether the Bank Company Holding Act claim should be dismissed under Rule
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12(b)(6). Defendant’s brief is due by SEPTEMBER 2 AT 5:00 P.M. Plaintiff’s response is due by
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SEPTEMBER 16 AT 5:00 P.M. The briefs should not exceed 15 pages. The parties may each
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submit a five-page reply brief, due by SEPTEMBER 23 AT 5:00 P.M. A hearing is hereby set for
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OCTOBER 10 AT 8:00 A.M.
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IT IS SO ORDERED.
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Dated: August 16, 2013.
WILLIAM ALSUP
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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