Massive Toyota Litigation Keeps Its Ties to Arizona Attorney with Hagens Berman

Rob Carey, a Phoenix attorney and former chief assistant attorney general, will continue to play a key role in the massive, multi-district litigation against Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc. (NYSE:TM) after U.S. District Judge James V. Selna today appointed Steve Berman with Hagens Berman to serve as co-lead counsel in the case.

Carey is a partner in the firm, heading up the Phoenix office.

Earlier this year, Carey led the firm’s efforts in representing plaintiffs across 12 states and in a national class action against Toyota, demanding a pro-rated refund remedy on behalf of consumers who purchased or leased a Toyota tainted with possible acceleration defects.

Carey and the Phoenix office will continue to work with Berman in one of the largest consolidations of class-action cases in U.S. history, combining more than 300 state and federal suits. Berman was selected from among more than 70 law firms applying for the role.

Berman and his co-lead counsel will direct litigation concerning the alleged economic damages suffered by consumers, while another group of attorneys appointed by Judge Selna will litigate personal-injury cases tied to the defect issue.

Carey believes the leadership team has a daunting but winnable battle facing them.

"We expect Toyota to mount a vigorous defense, and one should never underestimate a company that can dedicate such massive resources as Toyota,” Carey said. "The legal team Judge Selna selected is second to none, and ready for this battle.”

Hagens Berman has a long record of success in managing large, complex multi-district litigation such as the Toyota case. The firm recently concluded the Average Wholesale Price litigation against several pharmaceutical makers, and last month settled a $200 million MDL case against Charles Schwab after charging that the investment firm allegedly deceived investors by misrepresenting the risks associated with its YieldPlus Funds. Berman and his firm also represented 13 states against Big Tobacco, winning the largest settlement in court history.

For more information about the Toyota Litigation, please visit www.hbsslaw.com.

About Hagens Berman

Hagens Berman LLP is a consumer-rights class-action law firm with offices in San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. Since 1993, HBSS continues to successfully fight for consumer rights in large, complex litigation. More about the law firm and its successes can be found at www.hbsslaw.com.