Bank Overdraft Fee Cases
Lieff Cabraser served on the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee in Multi-District Litigation against dozens of the country’s largest banks (including Bank of America, Chase, Union Bank, TD Bank, Comerica, Bancorpsouth, and more) in cases alleging that the banks artificially inflated the overdraft fees charged to their customers by resequencing the customers’ debit card transactions each day from highest-to-lowest in dollar amount to maximize the fees charged. The Court in the litigation approved settlements totaling over $1 billion, including a $410 million settlement with Bank of America.
Lieff Cabraser served as the lead or co-lead plaintiffs’ firm prosecuting cases against several of the banks.
In granting final approval of the settlement with Bank of America, in November 2011, U.S. District Court Judge James Lawrence King stated, “This is a marvelous result for the members of the class.” Judge King added, “[B]ut for the high level of dedication, ability and massive and incredible hard work by the Class attorneys … I do not believe the Class would have ever seen … a penny.”
And in September 2012, the Court granted final approval to a $35 million of the case against Union Bank. In approving that settlement, Judge King complimented plaintiffs’ counsel for their outstanding work and effort in resolving the case:
The description of plaintiffs’ counsel, which is a necessary part of the settlement, is, if anything, understated. In my observation of the diligence and professional activity, it’s superb. I know of no other class action case anywhere in the country in the last couple of decades that’s been handled as efficiently as this one has, which is a tribute to the lawyers.
Civil Litigation News
Law360 Names Sean Petterson a 2026 Rising Star for Class Action Law
We are pleased to announce that Law360 has named Lieff Cabraser partner Sean A. Petterson a Rising Star in Class Action Law for 2026 (subscription). Law360’s Rising
Nine Lieff Cabraser Lawyers Named to the 2026 “Lawdragon 500 Leading Civil Rights & Plaintiff Employment Lawyers” Guide
We are pleased to share that nine Lieff Cabraser partners have been named to this year’s “Lawdragon 500 Leading Civil
Lieff Cabraser Named Finalist for 2026 New York Legal Awards
Law.com and The New York Law Journal have announced the finalists for the 2026 New York Legal Awards, and we’re pleased to


