700 F.3d 212
5th Cir.2012Background
- Interlocutory appeal from district court’s Rule 23(b)(3) class certification for governmental entities in Louisiana over Centennial cellular services.
- Case origin dates to 2001, with removal to federal court in 2001, subsequent dismissals, and joinder of Iberia Parish Sheriff, Delcambre, and Jeanerette.
- Plaintiffs moved in 2010 to certify a broad class including 299 Louisiana governmental entities; district court certified the governmental subclass.
- Centennial argued the certification effectively creates an opt-in class due to Louisiana law restricting private representation; urged Rule 23 requires no opt-in.
- Court analyzed Rule 23(a) prerequisites and Rule 23(b)(3)’s predominance and manageability requirements, plus opt-out versus opt-in framework.
- Court reversed and vacated the district court’s class certification and remanded for proceedings consistent with this opinion.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether the governmental class is impermissibly an opt-in class. | Plaintiffs maintain §42:263 creates private representation post-certification. | Centennial contends the class effectively requires affirmative action to join. | Yes; class certified as opt-in violates Rule 23. |
Key Cases Cited
- Phillips Petroleum Co. v. Shutts, 472 F.2d 797 (U.S. 1985) (opt-out not opt-in required for class participation)
- Robinson v. Union Carbide Corp., 544 F.2d 1258 (5th Cir. 1976) (notice at issue does not require opt-in for liability stage)
- Kern v. Siemens Corp., 393 F.3d 120 (2d Cir. 2004) (opt-in class not authorized in liability phase)
- Sandoz v. Cingular Wireless LLC, 553 F.3d 913 (5th Cir. 2008) (distinguishes opt-out mandatory notice from opt-in)
- LaChapelle v. Owens-Illinois, Inc., 513 F.2d 286 (5th Cir. 1975) (absent plaintiffs do not need to opt in to be class members)