Supreme Court Blocks Plaintiffs From Taking Shortcuts In Class Action Cases

The Supreme Court unanimously held today that plaintiffs cannot immediately appeal a federal court's denial of class certification when the named plaintiffs voluntarily dismiss their claims following the denial of class certification, handing a victory to employers and others who face costly class action litigation. This decision maintains the status quo, and continues to deny the plaintiffs' bar the ability to do an end-run around the general prohibition barring provisional "interlocutory" appeals brought while the underlying litigation is still being maintained. While not an employment law decision, this ruling is welcome news for those employers facing class action lawsuits (Microsoft Corp. v. Baker).