Here are some highlights on the predictions offered by the panelists: 1) class actions are not going away; 2) the continued growth of
mass commerce will continue
to spawn class action litigation; 3) Justice Scalia's death will have a significant impact on class action jurisprudence going forward and the judiciary is likely
to get less friendly
to defendants in the short - term; 4) technology will make a big difference for the better in managing class action litigation; 5) defendants will continue
to come up with creative, far - reaching ways of limiting class actions; 6) plaintiffs» attorneys will continue
to bring class actions when a) they think they can make money and / or b) they think they will advance the public good; 7) there will be some good class actions and some horrible ones; 8) look
out for states
to pass new consumer protection laws similar
to the New Jersey New Jersey Truth - in - Consumer Contract, Warranty and Notice Act (TCCWNA); 9) the TCPA and all - natural litigation booms will continue in the near future; 10) The CFPB will broadly define consumer finance services; 11) more class actions will go
to trial; 12) what happens with the enforceability of arbitration clauses will have a big impact on the viability of many
categories of class actions in the future; 13) look for more class actions in the federal courts in New York state.