Judge Signals Likely Class Certification in Juul–Altria Antitrust Case Despite “Frankenstein” Warning

Judge Signals Likely Class Certification in Juul–Altria Antitrust Case Despite “Frankenstein” Warning

A California federal judge said Friday he is likely to certify classes of direct and indirect purchasers accusing Juul Labs Inc. and Altria Group Inc. of antitrust violations, finding that the plaintiffs share sufficient common issues even though Altria warned that class certification could create a “Frankenstein’s monster” of conflicting state damages laws. U.S. District Judge William Orrick told the parties during a Zoom hearing that he had is…