In re Subway Sandwich Marketing & Sales Practices Litigation Facts: Class action lawsuit whereby plaintiffs alleged that "foot-long subway sandwiches were only 11 inches long. Subway established that their unbaked bread was uniform and the baked bread rarely was less than 12 inches. Minor variations due to the baking process are natural and cannot be avoided. Nevertheless, Subway agreed to settle the case and agreed to implement measures to ensure that the foot-long sandwiches are at least 12 inches. The parties agreed to cap fees at $525,000 and pay $500 to each of the 10 named plaintiffs. One plaintiff, Ted Frank, who received no payment argued that the settlement only enriched the lawyers. Issue: Does the settlement violate CAFA? 20/20 Financial Consulting, Inc. v. John Does 1-5 Facts: After 20/20 Financial Consulting (20/20) discovered allegedly defamatory statements about their firm posted on various websites and blogs by anonymous authors, they conducted an unsuccessful preliminary investigation to discover the names of the authors from the operators of the websites and blogs. 20/20 filed suit naming five unknown authors as "John Doe" defendants and sought a court order to conduct expedited discovery in an attempt to establish the true identities of the authors. The rules that govern federal court procedures allow expedited discovery if the information obtained will make trial more efficient. Issue: Should 20/20 be given the opportunity to pursue their claim against the unknown defendants through use of discovery? National Football League Management Council v. Brady Facts: On January 18, 2015, the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts played a football game at the Patriots' home stadium. During the game, the officials received a complaint from a Colts player to check the game balls'inflation levels. Of the eleven balls used by the Patriots, all eleven were underinflated and below the acceptable range established by League rules. Of the four balls used by the Colts, each tested within the permissible range. A law firm hired by the league conducted and investigations and concluded that two equipment managers were responsible for the deflation and quarterback Tom Brady was generally aware of the mall practice. As a result, the League notified Brady of a four game suspension under the League's rules pursuant to its union contract governing players. Brady, through his union, appealed the suspension and asserted his union contract rights to an arbitration hearing. Brady's suspension was upheld by the arbitrator. On appeal, a federal trial court vacated the decision on the basis that Brady had not been provided adequate notice that suspension was within the League's range of punishments. The League appealed. Issue: Was Brady provided adequate notice that suspension was within the League's range of punishments? In re Subway Sandwich Marketing & Sales Practices Litigation Facts: Class action lawsuit whereby plaintiffs alleged that "foot-long subway sandwiches were only 11 inches long. Subway established that their unbaked bread was uniform and the baked bread rarely was less than 12 inches. Minor variations due to the baking process are natural and cannot be avoided. Nevertheless, Subway agreed to settle the case and agreed to implement measures to ensure that the foot-long sandwiches are at least 12 inches. The parties agreed to cap fees at $525,000 and pay $500 to each of the 10 named plaintiffs. One plaintiff, Ted Frank, who received no payment argued that the settlement only enriched the lawyers. Issue: Does the settlement violate CAFA? 20/20 Financial Consulting, Inc. v. John Does 1-5 Facts: After 20/20 Financial Consulting (20/20) discovered allegedly defamatory statements about their firm posted on various websites and blogs by anonymous authors, they conducted an unsuccessful preliminary investigation to discover the names of the authors from the operators of the websites and blogs. 20/20 filed suit naming five unknown authors as "John Doe" defendants and sought a court order to conduct expedited discovery in an attempt to establish the true identities of the authors. The rules that govern federal court procedures allow expedited discovery if the information obtained will make trial more efficient. Issue: Should 20/20 be given the opportunity to pursue their claim against the unknown defendants through use of discovery? National Football League Management Council v. Brady Facts: On January 18, 2015, the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts played a football game at the Patriots' home stadium. During the game, the officials received a complaint from a Colts player to check the game balls'inflation levels. Of the eleven balls used by the Patriots, all eleven were underinflated and below the acceptable range established by League rules. Of the four balls used by the Colts, each tested within the permissible range. A law firm hired by the league conducted and investigations and concluded that two equipment managers were responsible for the deflation and quarterback Tom Brady was generally aware of the mall practice. As a result, the League notified Brady of a four game suspension under the League's rules pursuant to its union contract governing players. Brady, through his union, appealed the suspension and asserted his union contract rights to an arbitration hearing. Brady's suspension was upheld by the arbitrator. On appeal, a federal trial court vacated the decision on the basis that Brady had not been provided adequate notice that suspension was within the League's range of punishments. The League appealed. Issue: Was Brady provided adequate notice that suspension was within the League's range of punishments