In a significant legal development, a New Jersey judge on Friday selected six law firms to represent consumers accusing Apple of monopolizing the smartphone market. U.S. District Judge Julien Xavier Neals made the appointments after the firms competing for leadership reached an agreement on the legal lineup.
Judge Names Leading Firms to Represent Consumers
Judge Neals appointed lawyers from Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro, Girard Sharp, Seeger Weiss, Carella Byrne Cecchi Brody & Agnello, Susman Godfrey, and Hausfeld to spearhead the litigation. These firms will represent millions of U.S. customers who directly purchased iPhones from Apple. This leadership team now stands to secure a substantial portion of legal fees from any settlement or judgment in the case.
Consumers’ claims closely align with a lawsuit filed earlier this year by the U.S. Justice Department. Both lawsuits allege that Apple created roadblocks to limit consumer choice for mobile devices and services, including digital wallets and messaging. Despite these accusations, Apple continues to deny any wrongdoing. The company, represented by Kirkland & Ellis and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, has not yet issued a public comment.
Prestigious Firms Backed by Proven Track Records
The firms chosen to lead this case bring extensive experience and a history of securing substantial settlements in similar high-profile cases. For instance, Hagens Berman is co-leading an antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA, with a tentative settlement exceeding $2.8 billion. Hausfeld played a critical role in leading antitrust claims against Blue Cross Blue Shield, resulting in a $2.7 billion settlement. Similarly, Susman Godfrey served as co-lead counsel for Dominion Voting Systems in a defamation case that Fox News settled for $787 million.
Parallel Lawsuits Against Apple Gain Momentum
In October, Judge Neals appointed a different set of law firms to represent consumers who purchased iPhones through mobile carriers. Those firms include Schneider Wallace Cottrell Konecky, Berger Montague, Lockridge Grindal Nauen, and Spector Roseman & Kodroff. Furthermore, three additional firms—Korein Tillery, MoloLamken, and Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick—will lead a proposed class action on behalf of Apple Watch buyers.
This sprawling litigation against Apple, titled In Re: Apple Inc Smartphone Antitrust Litigation, continues to grow in scope and complexity. While consumers push forward with claims of monopolistic practices, Apple remains firm in its defense, setting the stage for a legal battle with far-reaching implications.
