HLFT Client Defeats Attempt to Certify Class in Case Arising from Summer 2020 Protests
The firm recently defeated plaintiffs’ attempt to secure certification by the WD Washington federal court (Judge Tom Zilly) of a class of about 5,000 businesses and residents, asserting damages arising from the “CHOP.” The CHOP refers to events occurring in connection with protests that took place in the Capitol Hill neighborhood in Seattle in June 2020. The complaint was filed in June 2020, and alleged that the City’s handling of the protest activity in the Capitol Hill neighborhood supported claims for damages arising under state and federal law. In December, Plaintiffs asked the Court to certify a class (and three subclasses) consisting of many businesses, residents, and property owners in a sixteen square block area of the City. On May 9, Judge Zilly denied Plaintiffs’ motion, ruling that plaintiffs’ claims are not suitable for class treatment. A copy of the ruling is available here.
The firm’s team representing the City includes Art Harrigan, Tyler Farmer, Shane Cramer, Bill Beaver, associates Erica Iverson and Bryn Pallesen, and Senior Paralegal Kellie McDonald. The case is Hunters Capital, LLC, et al. v. City of Seattle No. C20-983-TSZ.