Robert B. Ellis, P.C.

Class Action Matters

• In re General Motors Corp. Dex-Cool Products Liability Litig., MDL No. 1562: Counsel for General Motors Corporation in numerous putative product liability class action lawsuits alleging defects in Dex-Cool coolant and certain intake manifold gaskets. Motion for nationwide class certification denied. Case successfully settled.
• Daniel v. Aon Corp.: Counsel for Aon Corporation in class actions related to investigation of New York Attorney General into insurance brokerage contingent commissions. Nationwide class action settlement.
• Berry v. OmegaFlex: Counsel for Omegaflex, manufacturer of CSST flexible steel gas piping systems, in putative nationwide product liability class action. Nationwide class settlement.
• In re General Motors Corp. Vehicle Paint Litig., MDL No. 1392: Counsel for General Motors Corporation in putative product liability class actions alleging defects in vehicle paint. Motion for nationwide class certification denied.
• Petlack v. S.C. Johnson: Counsel for S.C. Johnson in putative deceptive trade practice and consumer fraud class actions alleging improper "green" labeling.
• Hayes v. General Motors Corp.: Counsel for General Motors Corporation in putative product liability class action alleging defects in vehicle paint. Case dismissed.
• Sanute v. General Motors Corp.: Counsel for General Motors Corporation in putative product liability class action alleging defects in Dex-Cool coolant and certain intake manifold gaskets. Nationwide class action settlement.
• Edwards v. General Motors Corp.: Counsel for General Motors Corporation in putative product liability class action alleging defects in Dex-Cool coolant and certain intake manifold gaskets. Motion for class certification denied. Appeal denied.
• General Motors Corp. Corvette Steering Column Litigation: Counsel for General Motors in consolidated putative class actions involving allegations of defective electronic locks on Corvette steering columns. No class certified. Cases settled on individual basis.
• Birner v. General Motors Corp.: Counsel for General Motors in putative product liability class action alleging defects in Corvette steering columns. Motion to dismiss with prejudice granted.
• Lauer v. General Motors Corp.: Counsel for General Motors in purported class actions involving alleged defects in vehicles with certain high performance tires. No class certified; case settled on an individual basis.
• King v. Verizon Wireless: Counsel for Verizon Wireless in putative consumer fraud and deceptive trade practice class action regarding roaming charges. No class certified; case settled on individual basis.
• Cook v. Verizon Wireless: Counsel for Verizon Wireless in putative consumer fraud and deceptive trade practice class action regarding billing for voice dial services. No class certified; case settled on individual basis.
• Rubel, et al. v. Pfizer Inc.: Counsel for Pfizer Inc. in putative class action relating to off label use of the drug Neurontin.
• Durant v. ServiceMaster Co.: Counsel for ServiceMaster and TruGreen in purported nationwide consumer fraud class action involving fuel surcharge. Remand to state court denied and case settled on individual basis after dismissal of RICO count.
• Karpowicz v. General Motors: Counsel for General Motors in purported nationwide product liability class action. Summary judgment on behalf of General Motors.
• In re General Motors Anti-Lock Brake Product Liability Litig., MDL No. 1129: Counsel for General Motors in putative nationwide class actions alleging defects in anti-lock brakes. The trial court dismissed all claims against GM with prejudice. The decision was affirmed on appeal.
• Folkerts, et al., v. Ameritech; Todt, et al. v. Ameritech: Counsel for Ameritech in obtaining approval of class action settlement in complex multistate class actions.
• Lipinski v. General Motors: Counsel for General Motors. Obtained dismissal with prejudice of purported statewide class action involving allegations of engine defects.
• Meyers v. General Motors: Counsel for General Motors. Obtained dismissal of purported nationwide class action involving allegations of brake defects.
• North v. American Suzuki: Represented American Suzuki in purported class action alleging stability defects in certain vehicles. Successfully removed action to federal court and defeated motion to remand. Plaintiffs subsequently dismissed the case with prejudice.

Served as counsel to the Admissions Review Commission formed by Illinois Governor Patrick Quinn to investigate admissions practices at the University of Illinois.

Recipient of Kirkland & Ellis Pro Bono Service Award for outstanding pro bono service in 2009.