IN RE: SPRINT PREMIUM DATA PLAN MARKETING AND SALES PRACTICES LITIGATION.
MDL No. 2228.United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation.
April 13, 2011.*1350 Before JOHN G. HEYBURN II, Chairman, KATHRYN H. VRATIL, DAVID R. HANSEN, W. ROYAL FURGESON, JR., FRANK C. DAMRELL, JR., BARBARA S. JONES, and PAUL J. BARBADORO, Judges of the Panel.
TRANSFER ORDER
JOHN G. HEYBURN II, Chairman.
Before the Panel: Plaintiff in an action previously pending in the Eastern District of New York has moved, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1407, for coordinated or consolidated pretrial proceedings of seven actions in the Southern District of California. This litigation currently consists of six actions listed on Schedules A and B and pending in four districts, two actions each in the Northern District of California and the District of New Jersey, and one action each in the Central District of California and the Southern District of California.[1]
Plaintiffs in the Southern District of California action support the motion to centralize in the Southern District of California. Plaintiffs in the Northern District of California actions agree that centralization is appropriate, but suggest the Northern District of California as transferee district. The District of New Jersey plaintiffs suggest centralization in the District of New Jersey or, alternatively, the Eastern District of New York. Plaintiffs in a potentially-related action pending in the District of Kansas suggest centralization in that district. Defendants Sprint Spectrum, L.P.; Sprint Solutions, Inc.; and Sprint Nextel Corp. (collectively, Sprint) suggest centralization in the Eastern District of New York or, alternatively, the Southern District of California. Almost all responding plaintiffs oppose inclusion of the Central District of California action (Sok) in centralized proceedings, including the Sok plaintiffs. The Sok plaintiffs alternatively *1351 support centralization in the Southern District of California.
On the basis of the papers filed and hearing session held, we find that the five actions listed on Schedule A involve common questions of fact, and that centralization under Section 1407 in the District of New Jersey will serve the convenience of the parties and witnesses and promote the just and efficient conduct of this litigation. These actions share factual questions arising out of allegations that defendants charge customers with 4G devices a monthly "Premium Data" fee above the fixed monthly price for unlimited data plans. All plaintiffs challenge the legitimacy of this "Premium Data" fee and question whether Sprint provided any service for these additional charges. Centralization of these actions will eliminate duplicative discovery; prevent inconsistent pretrial rulings, including with respect to class certification; and conserve the resources of the parties, their counsel, and the judiciary.
With the dismissal of the original movant's action, no party specifically advocates for including the Sok action in centralized proceedings. We agree with most responding parties, who argue that Sok involves unique claims such that discovery will not overlap with discovery in the actions listed on Schedule A. The Sok action does not involve the "Premium Data" fee at issue in the other related actions, but rather alleges that Sprint marketed certain devices and calling plans as "4G" that did not meet 4G standards.
All of the actions are in a similar procedural posture, and we are presented with several good choices for a transferee forum. We are persuaded that the District of New Jersey is the most appropriate transferee district. Two actions are pending in this district before Judge Susan D. Wigenton, who recently closed an MDL. This district has a great deal of experience serving as a transferee court yet has a manageable MDL docket. Moreover, Sprint, which supports centralization in nearby New York, maintains that relevant documents and witnesses will be located in and around the east coast, including New Jersey.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1407, the five actions listed on Schedule A are transferred to the District of New Jersey and, with the consent of that court, assigned to the Honorable Susan D. Wigenton for coordinated or consolidated pretrial proceedings.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that transfer under Section 1407 of the action listed on Schedule B is denied.
SCHEDULE A
MDL No. 2228 IN RE: SPRINT PREMIUM DATA PLAN MARKETING AND SALES PRACTICES LITIGATION
Northern District of California
Arlene Baisa Lockhart, et al. v. Sprint Nextel Corporation, C.A. No. 3:10-05621
Scott Tallal v. Sprint Nextel Corporation, C.A. No. 3:10-05660
Southern District of California
David Salvatierra, et al. v. Sprint Solutions, Inc., et al., C.A. No. 3:10-02044
District of New Jersey
Elbert Kim, et al. v. Sprint Nextel Corporation, et al., C.A. No. 2:10-06334
*1352 Jonathan Kahn v. Sprint Nextel Corporation, et al., C.A. No. 2:10-06420
SCHEDULE B
MDL No. 2228 IN RE: SPRINT PREMIUM DATA PLAN MARKETING AND SALES PRACTICES LITIGATION
Central District of California
Kimdara Sok v. Sprint Nextel Corporation, et al., C.A. No. 8:10-01858
NOTES
[1] The original movant's action that was pending in the Eastern District of New York has since been voluntarily dismissed.
The parties have notified the Panel that four additional related actions are pending, two actions in the Northern District of California, and one action each in the District of Kansas and the Western District of Missouri. These actions are potential tag-along actions. See Rule 7.1, R.P.J.P.M.L.