Tag Archives: Class Representative

District Court Abused Discretion by Failing to Assess $366,461.96 in Expert Witness Fees Against Indigent Named Plaintiffs in Civil Rights Class Action, Holds Eighth Circuit

In Karsjens v. Gandhi, No. 24-2876 (8th Cir. Jan. 7, 2026), the Eighth Circuit holds that the district court abused its discretion by entirely excusing a group of indigent class representatives from contributing to the witness fees for four court-appointed experts. A prevailing party in federal civil litigation is entitled to tax certain costs toContinue reading “District Court Abused Discretion by Failing to Assess $366,461.96 in Expert Witness Fees Against Indigent Named Plaintiffs in Civil Rights Class Action, Holds Eighth Circuit”

Eleventh Circuit Flatly Bans Incentive Payments to Rule 23 Class Representatives in Settlements

In a startling opinion, Johnson v. NPAS Solutions, LLC, No. 18-12344 (11th Cir. Sept. 17, 2020), a 2-1 panel announces that incentive payments of any kind to Rule 23 class representatives are incompatible with common-fund principles and are therefore banned. The panel vacates a $6000 incentive payment in a Telephone Consumer Protection Act class settlement.Continue reading “Eleventh Circuit Flatly Bans Incentive Payments to Rule 23 Class Representatives in Settlements”