Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2015
Status
Accepted
Abstract
The Supreme Court’s decision in Wal-Mart v. Dukes was widely seen as a game-changer with the likely effect of making employment discrimination class certifications more difficult. This Symposium contribution explores the effects of that decision through recent court interpretations. We find that, although class filings appear to be down, the decision did not alter the certification landscape nearly as much as had been feared. Courts have readily distinguished the Wal-Mart decision by focusing on its nationwide scope and it appears that certification decisions have not materially changed in light of the decision. One notable change is that defense counsel have become more aggressive in their motions to dismiss even before a certification hearing is held but those efforts have almost uniformly failed.
GW Paper Series
GW Law School Public Law and Legal Theory Paper No. 2015-46; GW Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2015-46
SSRN Link
http://ssrn.com/abstract=2684200
Recommended Citation
Selmi, Michael, Employment Discrimination Class Actions After Wal-Mart V. Dukes (2015). 48 Akron L. Rev. (2015); GWU Law School Public Law Research Paper No. 2015-46; GWU Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2015-46. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=http://ssrn.com/abstract=2684200