Dave Stein represents clients in federal and state cases nationwide, ranging from securities and financial fraud class actions, to product liability, privacy, and data breach suits. Courts have appointed Dave as lead counsel in a number of these cases and he has been praised as a tenacious litigator with a “reputation as one of the best consumer advocates around.”
The Daily Journal recognized Dave as one of the Top 40 attorneys in the state of California under the age of 40, and he was also honored in Law360’s nationwide list of “Top Class Action Attorneys Under 40.” For the last nine years, he has been rated by his colleagues as a Northern California Super Lawyers Rising Star.
Dave is frequently called upon to discuss emerging issues in complex litigation. He has been selected four times to serve on Law360’s Product Liability Editorial Advisory Board, advising on emerging trends and important issues impacting product liability cases.
Before entering private practice, Dave served as judicial law clerk to U.S. District Court Judge Keith Starrett and U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen L. Hayes.
Litigation Highlights
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In re: Peregrine PFG Best Customer Accounts Litigation
Represented investors in a lawsuit against U.S. Bank and JPMorgan Chase arising from the collapse of Peregrine Financial Group, Inc. The former Peregrine customers were seeking to recover the millions of dollars that was stolen from them out of segregated funds accounts. Plaintiffs’ efforts led to settlements with JPMorgan Chase and U.S. Bank worth over $75 million.
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Edwards v. Ford Motor Co.
In a class action alleging that Ford sold vehicles despite a known safety defect, Dave twice argued plaintiff’s position before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. In the first appeal, Dave succeeded in obtaining a reversal of the trial court’s denial of class certification. In the second, plaintiff again prevailed, with the Ninth Circuit affirming a ruling that Dave's and his colleagues’ efforts generated free repairs, reimbursements, and extended warranties for the class.
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LLE One v. Facebook
Represented small businesses who alleged that Facebook overstated, for over a year, how long users were watching video ads on Facebook's platform. After years of litigation, the federal court approved a $40 million settlement to the class.
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Paeste v. Government of Guam
Secured a judgment against the Government of Guam and several of its highest ranking officials in a suit involving the government’s unlawful administration of income tax refunds. Defended the judgment in an oral argument before the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, leading to a complete victory for the taxpayers in the published decision, Paeste v. Government of Guam, 798 F.3d 1228 (9th Cir. 2015)
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In re: Hyundai Sonata Engine Litigation
Served as court-appointed co-lead counsel in nationwide class action involving alleged defect that caused engine seizures at high speeds. Litigation led to settlement that included nationwide vehicle recalls, extended warranties, and payments that averaged over three thousand dollars per class member.
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Browne v. American Honda Motor Co.
Represented consumers who alleged that 750,000 Honda Accord and Acura TSX vehicles were sold with brake pads that wore out prematurely. The case settled for an estimated value of approximately $25 million.