Steven Berk Published in National Law Review
Jan 30, 2012
In his recently published article, Steve Berk analyzes both the Class Action and Qui Tam bars. From his study of the two, Steve offers advice to class action attorneys on what can be learned from the Qui Tam bar. The article, In the Wake of Concepcion and Dukes, Consumer Class Action Lawyers Must Soldier Forward By Leveraging Their Rich History and Taking Some Clues from the Whistleblower Bar, which is published in the National Law Review, discusses the history and benefits of class action law while also accounting for current negative attitudes towards class action. By examining two areas of law where he has considerable expertise and experience, Steve offers a unique analysis of the future of these important modes of consumer and government protection.
Copies of the article may be read and downloaded at: National Law Review
Honda Civic and Honda Civic Hybrid sun visor class action settlement
Sep 20, 2011
We are pleased to announce a nationwide class action settlement on behalf of over 2 million Honda Civic and Honda Civic Hybrid owners and lessees. Working with co-counsel from Terrell Marshall Daudt & Willie PLLC, we quickly and efficiently resolved claims that sun visors on many Honda Civics and Honda Civic Hybrids were defective, peeling apart, and impairing both the visor’s functionality as well as the driver’s ability to drive safely.
Class members will receive a warranty extension on the sun visors up to seven years from the date of purchase of the vehicle or 100,000 miles – whichever occurs first. The warranty provides for free replacement of defective sun visors at any registered Honda dealer. In addition, class members are eligible to submit claims for reimbursement from Honda for costs of past repairs to the defective visors.
For more information visit visorsettlement.com
Steve Berk to teach at Boston College Law School
Jun 22, 2011
Steve Berk has been appointed adjunct professor of law at his alma mater, Boston College Law School. This fall, Steve will teach a seminar on federal court civil litigation. He designed the curriculum based on actual cases he has litigated. Steve will bring more than 20 years of litigation experience to the classroom to teach students about civil procedure and problem solving through real-world scenarios.
Building a culture around the needs of our clients and consumers
Jun 21, 2011
We take pride in the way we treat every person that contacts our office. When you call Berk Law, your question will be taken seriously, researched thoroughly and answered promptly by Office Manager David Martin or Law Clerk Zach Kady. Our culture promotes openness, understanding and enthusiasm for serving the needs of our clients and being a resource to consumers.
Since Berk Law’s inception in 2009, David Martin and Zach Kady have been working alongside the firm’s experienced attorneys — literally. Although David and Zach aren’t attorneys (yet), they work on and are familiar with every case at Berk Law. It’s this proximity to Berk Law’s attorneys and familiarity with all aspects of a case that make David and Zach capable of answering almost any question when the phone rings. And if they don’t know the answer, they will find it.
“We try to be a resource for anyone who calls with a question,” says David, who started as an intern at Berk Law and returned as office manager after graduating from the University of North Carolina in 2010. Zach, a student at Georgetown Law, adds that although he and David can’t give legal advice, they can always defer to an attorney for questions they can’t answer.
Every week, Zach and David answer dozens of calls from consumers who are having problems with a company’s product or service. They begin by asking questions and listening in an effort to learn as much as possible not only about the nature of the problem but also about the caller.
“We try to establish a deeper relationship and a comfort level,” David says.
To help make callers more comfortable, David and Zach take time to explain everything, breaking down complex procedures and legal jargon into simple, understandable terms. After an initial phone call, it sometimes takes time and research before David or Zach can get back to a caller with the best possible information. But they always call back.
“We give our callers a realistic expectation for when we can get back to them with a response,” David says. “If I tell someone I’ll get back to them by Monday, I usually get back to them before Monday.”
When someone becomes a client of Berk Law, David and Zach keep them updated as the case proceeds. They keep a list of contacts who want to be kept in the loop.
“Because of the nature of a class action case, it would be easy to forget your plaintiffs once the case starts,” David says. “We treat all class members as if they were our personal clients and our only clients. We were never taught any other way.”
News from Steve Berk
Mar 11, 2011
It is with great pride that I announce that the following individuals have recently joined Berk Law.
Gouri Bhat, formerly a senior staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, as Partner.
Michael Gulland, formerly an associate at the leading national law firm, Jenner & Block and prominent Chicago based boutique litigation firm Grippo & Eldon, as Of Counsel.
The addition of Gouri and Mike enables us to greatly expand our current practice while also seeking out new opportunities in related practice areas in the coming months, such as civil rights litigation and a range of commercial disputes. You can read more about each of them in the About section.
Gouri and Mike, most importantly, bring with them unquestioned integrity, professional civility and the importance of never forgetting the interests of our clients.
Steve Berk Featured in January’s “Of Counsel”
Feb 17, 2011
“Of Counsel” recently featured an interview with Berk Law’s founder Steve Berk. Read the interview here.
Steve Berk Speaks Out About Class Action Reform
Nov 10, 2010
In an article recently published in the Class Action Newsletter of the American Association for Justice, Steve Berk expounded upon his ideas for simple reforms that could have a lasting impact on the Class Action Bar.
