Stipulation with [Proposed] Order to Consolidate Actions — In re Plaid Inc. Privacy Litigation (Dkt. 51, N.D. Cal. No. 4:20-cv-03056)

Record facts

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California · No. 4:20-cv-03056-DMR · Doc. 51 · 2020-07-17 · Docket on CourtListener

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STIPULATION CONSOLIDATING ACTIONS
CASE NO. 4:20-CV-03056-DMR 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 
SAN FRANCISCO DIVISION 
JAMES COTTLE and FREDERICK 
SCHOENEMAN, on behalf of themselves  
and all others similarly situated, 
Plaintiffs, 
 
v. 
PLAID INC., a Delaware corporation, 
Defendant. 
 
Case No.: 4:20-cv-03056-DMR
 
 
STIPULATION TO CONSOLIDATE 
ACTIONS AND APPOINT INTERIM 
CO-LEAD CLASS COUNSEL AND 
PLAINTIFFS’ STEERING 
COMMITTEE 
LOGAN MITCHELL, on behalf of himself
and all others similarly situated, 
Plaintiffs, 
 
v. 
PLAID INC., a Delaware corporation, 
Defendant. 
 
Case No. 3:20-cv-04230-SK
RACHEL CURTIS, ALEXA GROSSMAN, 
MALLORY GROSSMAN, STEVEN 
HANNIGAN, ALEXIS MULLEN, JORDAN 
SACKS, and NICHOLAS YEOMELAKIS, on 
behalf of themselves and all others similarly 
situated, 
Plaintiffs, 
 
v. 
PLAID INC., a Delaware corporation, 
Defendant.
Case No. 4:20-cv-04344-DMR
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STIPULATION CONSOLIDATING ACTIONS
CASE NO. 4:20-CV-03056 
 
 
CARRIE ANDERSON, BRIAN MCCRUDDEN, 
and JEFFREY SCHWEDOCK, on behalf of 
themselves and all others similarly situated, 
Plaintiffs, 
 
v. 
PLAID INC., a Delaware corporation, 
Defendant. 
 
Case No: 3:20-cv-04480-JSC
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- 1 - 
STIPULATION CONSOLIDATING ACTIONS
CASE NO. 4:20-CV-03056-DMR 
 
WHEREAS, on May 4, 2020, plaintiffs James Cottle and Frederick Schoeneman 
commenced the action Cottle et al. v. Plaid Inc., No. 4:20-cv-03056-DMR (“Cottle Action”) 
against Defendant Plaid Inc. (“Plaid” or “Defendant”) alleging that Plaid improperly acquired and 
used consumer financial account credentials and financial data, and asserting ten causes of action; 
 WHEREAS, on June 25, 2020, plaintiff Logan Mitchell commenced the action 
Mitchell v. Plaid Inc., No. 3:20-cv-04230-SK (“Mitchell Action”) making substantially similar 
allegations and asserting ten substantially similar causes of action, and a Motion To Consider 
Whether Cases Should Be Related (Cottle Action, ECF No. 37) is currently pending, which the 
parties to this Stipulation do not oppose; 
WHEREAS, on June 29, 2020, plaintiffs Rachel Curtis, Alexa Grossman, Mallory 
Grossman, Steven Hannigan, Alexis Mullen, Jordan Sacks, and Nicholas Yeomelakis commenced 
the action Curtis et al. v. Plaid Inc., No. 4:20-cv-04344-DMR (“Curtis Action”) making 
substantially similar allegations and asserting six substantially similar causes of action, and a 
Motion To Consider Whether Cases Should Be Related (Cottle Action, ECF No. 42) is currently 
pending, which the parties to this Stipulation do not oppose; 
WHEREAS, on July 7, 2020, plaintiffs Carrie Anderson, Brian McCrudden, Jeffrey 
Schwedock commenced the action Anderson et al, v. Plaid Inc., No. 3:20-cv-04480-JSC 
(“Anderson Action”) making substantially similar allegations and asserting six substantially 
similar causes of action, and a Motion To Consider Whether Cases Should Be Related (Cottle 
Action, ECF No. 49) is currently pending, which the parties to this Stipulation do not oppose; 
WHEREAS, all parties to this Stipulation consent to the jurisdiction of Magistrate Judge 
Ryu; 
WHEREAS, plaintiffs in the Cottle, Mitchell, Curtis, and Anderson Actions (collectively, 
“Plaintiffs” in the “Actions”) consent to consolidate their respective individually-filed actions 
under a single consolidated complaint to be filed in the lowest-numbered case in this District (the 
Cottle Action), consent to the administrative closure of the other filed cases, and further consent 
that these claims may not proceed in any action separate from the consolidated case; 
WHEREAS, consolidation of the Actions will avoid duplication and unnecessary costs, 
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- 2 - 
STIPULATION CONSOLIDATING ACTIONS
CASE NO. 4:20-CV-03056-DMR 
 
 
and will promote the efficient conduct of proceedings herein; 
WHEREAS, Plaintiffs collectively represent that the appointment of Interim Class 
Counsel and a Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee will benefit the Court and the proposed class 
because it will provide an organized, managed structure that can only be achieved through the 
appointment of a unified voice to advocate the interests of the several plaintiffs; 
WHEREAS, the Interim Class Counsel proposed herein are counsel on the first-filed 
complaint, and Interim Class Counsel represent that they have investigated the potential claims in 
this action, have substantial experience in complex and class action litigation, have knowledge of 
the applicable law, and will commit the resources necessary to prosecute this matter, and 
therefore it is their position that they satisfy the requirements of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 
23(g) for such appointment; 
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties stipulate as follows: 
I. 
CONSOLIDATION 
1. 
Within one week of a Court Order granting this stipulation and entering Pre-Trial 
Order No. 1, Plaintiffs, by and through their existing counsel of record, shall jointly file a 
Consolidated Amended Complaint in Cottle v. Plaid, No. 4:20-cv-03056-DMR (herein, the 
“Consolidated Action”).     
2. 
Upon the filing of the Consolidated Amended Complaint, the original complaints 
in the Cottle, Mitchell, Curtis, and Anderson Actions will be superseded by the Consolidated 
Amended Complaint and will no longer have any force or effect.  These Plaintiffs agree not to 
pursue these claims, or any substantially similar claims, in any action other than the Consolidated 
Action; however, this does not restrict any individual plaintiff from exercising his or her right to 
explicitly opt out of the class action to pursue an individual action. 
3. 
Defendant shall answer or otherwise respond to the Consolidated Amended 
Complaint within 40 days of the date Plaintiffs file the Consolidated Amended Complaint.   
4. 
Plaintiffs in the Consolidated Action shall file their opposition to any responsive 
motion filed by Plaid 60 days after Defendant has filed its response.   
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STIPULATION CONSOLIDATING ACTIONS
CASE NO. 4:20-CV-03056-DMR 
 
 
5. 
Defendant shall file any reply in support of any responsive motion 21 days after 
Plaintiffs’ opposition is filed.  
II. 
APPLICATION OF THIS ORDER TO SUBSEQUENTLY RELATED CASES 
6. 
Any and all cases subsequently related to and consolidated with this Consolidated 
Action shall be governed by this Order (“Pretrial Order No. 1”).  Counsel for Plaintiffs in the 
Consolidated Action shall promptly furnish a copy of Pretrial Order No. 1 to counsel for the 
parties in any subsequently filed action against Plaid alleging substantially similar claims based 
upon substantially similar transactions and occurrences as those alleged in this Consolidated 
Action.  Any such subsequent case filed in, or transferred to, this District shall be related to and 
consolidated with this Consolidated Action upon consent of the parties in such subsequent action 
to Magistrate jurisdiction. 
III. 
FILING AND SERVICE OF DOCUMENTS 
7. 
All papers previously filed and served in any of the above-referenced actions are 
hereby deemed part of the record in Cottle v. Plaid, No. 4:20-cv-03056.  All papers hereafter filed 
in the Consolidated Action shall bear the following Caption: 
 
IN RE PLAID INC. PRIVACY LITIGATION 
 
Master Docket No.  4:20-cv-03056 
 
THIS DOCUMENT RELATES TO: 
 
 
8. 
This case is subject to Electronic Case Filing (“ECF”), pursuant to General 
Order 45, Section VI, which requires that all documents in such a case be filed electronically.  If 
counsel has not already done so, counsel shall register as an ECF user and be issued an ECF user 
ID and password.  Forms and instructions can be found on the Court’s website at 
ecf.cand.uscourts.gov. 
9. 
All documents filed in the Consolidated Action, or any subsequently coordinated 
or related action, shall be e-filed in the master file in Cottle v. Plaid, No. 4:20-cv-03056.  Papers 
Case 4:20-cv-03056-DMR     Document 51     Filed 07/17/20     Page 5 of 12

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STIPULATION CONSOLIDATING ACTIONS
CASE NO. 4:20-CV-03056-DMR 
 
 
that are filed electronically through the Court’s ECF system are deemed served on all parties as of 
the date of filing.   
IV. 
PRESERVATION OF EVIDENCE 
10. 
The parties in the Consolidated Action, or any subsequently coordinated or related 
action, shall take reasonable steps to preserve all documents, data, and tangible things containing 
information potentially relevant to the subject matter of this litigation.  Fed. R. Civ. P. 37(e).   
V. 
ORGANIZATION OF PLAINTIFFS’ COUNSEL 
11. 
Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(g)(3), Interim Co-Lead Class 
Counsel (“Co-Lead Counsel”) are Burns Charest, LLP; Herrera Purdy LLP; and Lieff Cabraser 
Heimann & Bernstein, LLP (“LCHB”).  See Decl. of Rachel Geman in Support of Stipulation to 
Consolidate Actions and Appoint Interim Lead Counsel (“Geman Decl.”); Decl. of Shawn M. 
Kennedy in Support of Stipulation to Consolidate Actions and Appoint Interim Lead Counsel; 
Decl. of Christopher J. Cormier in Support of Stipulation to Consolidate Actions and Appoint 
Interim Lead Counsel.   
12. 
The Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee (“PSC”) are Nussbaum Law Group, P.C.; 
Reinhardt, Wendorf, & Blanchfield; Robins Kaplan, LLP; and Spector Roseman & Kodroff, PC.  
See Geman Decl. at ¶¶ 28-31.   
13. 
Co-Lead Counsel shall be responsible for convening regular meetings of the PSC 
(and, if applicable and as needed, other Plaintiffs’ counsel) to confer regarding the administration 
and prosecution of the Consolidated Action and subsequently coordinated or related actions. 
14. 
Co-Lead Counsel shall have authority over the following matters on behalf of all 
Plaintiffs and the Proposed Class in the Consolidated Action: 
a. 
coordinating and managing all work to ensure the efficient and effective 
prosecution of the Consolidated Action on behalf of the Plaintiffs and proposed Classes; 
b. 
the initiation, response, scheduling, briefing, and argument of all motions; 
c. 
the scope, order, and conduct of all discovery proceedings; 
d. 
the retention and oversight of any expert witnesses or other consultants; 
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STIPULATION CONSOLIDATING ACTIONS
CASE NO. 4:20-CV-03056-DMR 
 
 
e. 
making such work assignments as among themselves and any other 
Plaintiffs’ counsel as they may deem appropriate; 
f. 
collecting time and expense reports from all Plaintiffs’ counsel on a 
periodic basis;  
g. 
establishing and maintaining a cost fund in consultation with the Plaintiffs’ 
Steering Committee, and collect and make payments to and from the cost fund for shared 
expenses;   
h. 
the designation of which Plaintiffs’ attorneys shall appear at hearings and 
conferences with the Court; 
i. 
trial proceedings; 
j. 
post-trial proceedings;  
k. 
prosecuting or defending any appeal;  
l. 
settlement negotiations and agreements with Defendants or any future 
defendants subject to Court approval; 
m. 
if there is a settlement, propose a plan of allocation; and 
n. 
all other matters concerning the prosecution of the Consolidated Action 
and subsequently coordinated or related actions. 
15. 
The Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee, upon direction from Co-Lead Counsel, shall 
assist Co-Lead counsel in the execution of their duties. 
16. 
No motion or other pleading shall be filed on behalf of any Plaintiff in the 
Consolidated Action except through Co-Lead Counsel.   
17. 
Defendant’s counsel may rely on all agreements made with the Co-Lead Counsel, 
and such agreements shall be binding on all other Plaintiffs. 
 
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- 6 - 
STIPULATION CONSOLIDATING ACTIONS
CASE NO. 4:20-CV-03056-DMR 
 
 
Dated:  July 17, 2020 
/s/ Ethan D. Dettmer
 
 
Ethan D. Dettmer (SBN 196046) 
Abigail Augus Barrera (SBN 301746) 
Anthony Doc Bedel (SBN 324065) 
Ashley Jada Hodge (SBN 287653) 
GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER LLP 
555 Mission Street, Suite 3000 
San Francisco, CA 94105 
edettmer@gibsondunn.com 
abarrera@gibsondunn.com 
tbedel@gibsondunn.com 
ahodge@gibsondunn.com 
Telephone: (415) 393-8200 
Fax: (415) 986-5309 
 
Alexander H. Southwell (pro hac vice) 
GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER LLP 
200 Park Avenue 
New York, NY 10166 
asouthwell@gibsondunn.com 
Telephone: (212) 351-4000 
Fax: (212) 351-4035 
 
Counsel for Defendant Plaid Inc. 
Dated:  July 17, 2020 
/s/ Rachel Geman
 
 
Rachel Geman (pro hac vice) 
LIEFF CABRASER HEIMANN & BERNSTEIN, LLP 
250 Hudson Street, 8th Floor  
New York, NY 10013-1413 
rgeman@lchb.com 
Telephone: (212) 355-9500 
Fax: (212) 355-9592 
 
Michael W. Sobol (SBN 194857) 
Melissa A. Gardner (SBN 289096) 
LIEFF CABRASER HEIMANN & BERNSTEIN, LLP 
275 Battery Street, 29th Floor 
San Francisco, CA 94111-3339 
msobol@lchb.com 
mgardner@lchb.com 
Telephone: (415) 956-1000 
Fax: (415) 956-1008 
 
Madeline M. Gomez (pro hac vice) 
LIEFF CABRASER HEIMANN & BERNSTEIN, LLP 
222 2nd Avenue South, Suite 1640 
Nashville, TN 37201 
mgomez@lchb.com 
Telephone: (615) 313-9000 
Fax: (212) 313-9965 
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- 7 - 
STIPULATION CONSOLIDATING ACTIONS
CASE NO. 4:20-CV-03056-DMR 
 
 
 
Shawn M. Kennedy (SBN 218472) 
Andrew M. Purdy (SBN 261912) 
Bret D. Hembd (SBN 272826) 
HERRERA PURDY LLP 
4590 MacArthur Blvd., Suite 500 
Newport Beach, CA 92660 
skennedy@herrerapurdy.com 
apurdy@herrerapurdy.com 
bhembd@herrerapurdy.com 
Telephone: (949) 936-0900 
Fax: (855) 969-2050 
 
Nicomedes Sy Herrera (SBN 275332) 
Laura E. Seidl (SBN 269891) 
HERRERA PURDY LLP 
1300 Clay Street, Suite 600  
Oakland, CA 94612 
nherrera@herrerapurdy.com 
lseidl@herrerapurdy.com 
Telephone: (510) 422-4700 
 
Christopher J. Cormier (pro hac vice) 
BURNS CHAREST LLP 
4725 Wisconsin Avenue, NW 
Suite 200 
Washington, DC 20016 
Telephone: (202) 577-3977 
Email: CCormier@BurnsCharest.com 
 
Warren T. Burns (pro hac vice)
Russell Herman (pro hac vice) 
BURNS CHAREST LLP 
900 Jackson Street, Suite 500 
Dallas, TX 75202 
wburns@burnscharest.com 
rherman@burnscharest.com 
Telephone: (469) 904-4550 
Fax: (469) 444-5002 
 
C. Jacob Gower (pro hac vice)
BURNS CHAREST LLP 
365 Canal Street, Suite 1170 
New Orleans LA 70130 
jgower@burnscharest.com 
Telephone: (504) 799-2845 
Fax: (504) 881-1765 
 
Cottle Action Counsel for Plaintiffs and the Proposed Classes 
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- 8 - 
STIPULATION CONSOLIDATING ACTIONS
CASE NO. 4:20-CV-03056-DMR 
 
 
Dated:  July 17, 2020 
/s/ Michael F. Ram
 
 
Michael F. Ram (SBN 104805)  
Aaron M. Sheanin (SBN 214472)  
ROBINS KAPLAN LLP 
2440 W El Camino Real, Suite 100  
Mountain View, CA 94040  
mram@robinskaplan.com  
asheanin@robinskaplan.com  
Telephone: (650) 784-4040 
 
Kellie Lerner (pro hac vice) 
Hollis Salzman (pro hac vice)  
William Reiss (pro hac vice)  
David Rochelson (pro hac vice)  
ROBINS KAPLAN LLP 
399 Park Avenue, Suite 3600  
New York, NY 10022  
klerner@robinskaplan.com  
hsalzman@robinskaplan.com  
wreiss@robinskaplan.com  
drochelson@robinskaplan.com  
Telephone: (212) 980-7400 
 
Mitchell Action Counsel for Plaintiffs and the Proposed Class 
Dated:  July 17, 2020 
/s/ James A. Quadra
 
 
James A. Quadra (SBN 131084)  
Rebecca Coll (SBN 184468)  
QUADRA & COLL, LLP 
649 Mission Street, 5th Floor  
San Francisco, CA 94105  
jquadra@quadracoll.com  
rcoll@quadracoll.com  
Telephone: (415) 426-3502  
Fax: (415) 625-9936 
 
Linda P. Nussbaum (pro hac vice) 
Bart D. Cohen (pro hac vice) 
NUSSBAUM LAW GROUP, P.C.  
1211 Avenue of the Americas, 40th Floor  
New York, NY 10036  
lnussbaum@nussbaumpc.com  
bcohen@nussbaumpc.com  
Telephone: (917) 438-9102  
Fax: (212) 753-0396 
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- 9 - 
STIPULATION CONSOLIDATING ACTIONS
CASE NO. 4:20-CV-03056-DMR 
 
 
 
Michael E. Criden (pro hac vice) 
Lindsey Grossman (pro hac vice) 
CRIDEN & LOVE, P.A.  
7301 SW 57th Court, Ste 515  
South Miami, FL 33143  
mcriden@cridenlove.com  
lgrossman@cridenlove.com  
Telephone: (305) 357-9000  
Fax: (305) 357-9050 
 
Curtis Action Counsel for Plaintiffs and the Proposed Class 
Dated:  July 17, 2020 
/s/ Jason Hartley
 
 
Jason Hartley 
Jason Linder 
HARTLEY LLP 
101 W. Broadway, Suite 820 
San Diego, CA  92101 
Tel: (619) 400-5822 
Fax: (619) 400-5832 
hartley@hartleyllp.com 
linder@hartleyllp.com 
 
William G. Caldes
Jeffrey L. Spector 
Jeffrey L. Kodroff 
Diana J. Zinser 
SPECTOR ROSEMAN & KODROFF, P.C. 
2001 Market Street, Suite 3420 
Philadelphia, PA 19103 
Tel: (215) 496-0300 
Fax: (215) 496-6611 
BCaldes@srkattorneys.com 
JSpector@srkattorneys.com 
JKodoff@srkattorneys.com 
DZinser@srkattorneys.com 
 
Garrett D. Blanchfield
Roberta A. Yard 
REINHARDT WENDORF & BLANCHFIELD 
332 Minnesota Street, Suite W-1050 
St. Paul, MN  55101 
Tel: (651) 287-2100 
Fax: (651) 287-2103 
g.blanchfield@rwblawfirm.com 
t.yard@rwblawfirm.com 
 
Anderson Action Counsel for Plaintiffs and the Proposed Class
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- 10 - 
STIPULATION CONSOLIDATING ACTIONS
CASE NO. 4:20-CV-03056-DMR 
 
 
Filer’s Attestation 
Pursuant to General Order No. 45, § X(B), I attest under penalty of perjury that 
concurrence in the filing of the document has been obtained from all the signatories.   
 
Dated:  July 17, 2020 
/s/ Rachel Geman
 
 
Rachel Geman 
LIEFF CABRASER HEIMANN & BERNSTEIN, LLP
 
Case 4:20-cv-03056-DMR     Document 51     Filed 07/17/20     Page 12 of 12

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