Judicial Commendations

Please keep in mind that prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in another case.

“The settlement achieved here is, in short, impressive. . . . This litigation was hard fought. The issues were complex. . . . Plaintiffs’ lead counsel here are among the most highly respected practitioners in this Court with a reputation for exacting substantial awards for the classes that they represent. . . . Again, the benefit was outstanding. . . . Counsel, this was an interesting case. I know you worked really hard on it. Fantastic result. The fee was well deserved.”

“Lead Counsel successfully achieved a greater-than-average settlement ‘in the face of significant risks.’” Robbins Geller’s “hard-fought litigation in the Eleventh Circuit” and “[i]n considering the experience, reputation, and abilities of the attorneys, the Court recognize[d] that Lead Counsel is well-regarded in the legal community, especially in litigating class-action securities cases.”

“Counsel performed excellent work in not only investigating and analyzing the core of the issues, but in negotiating and demanding the necessary reforms to prevent malfeasance for the benefit of the shareholders and the consumers. The Court complements counsel for its excellence.”

“[T]he quality of the representation . . . was excellent. The experience of counsel is also a factor. Robbins Geller certainly has the extensive experience and they were litigating against national powerhouses . . . .”

“[Robbins Geller] has been sophisticated and experienced.”

“[T]he class has been represented by excellent honorable counsel . . . . [T]he fund was represented by experienced, energetic, able counsel, the fund was engaged and informed, and the fund followed advice of experienced counsel. Counsel for the class have been excellent, and I would say honorable. . . . I find that the work that’s been done primarily by Robbins Geller has been excellent and honorable and efficient. . . . [T]his has been a challenging case, and they’ve done an excellent job.”

“My own observation is that plaintiffs' representation is adequate and that the role of lead counsel was fulfilled in an extremely fine fashion by [Robbins Geller]. At every juncture, the representations made to me were reliable, the arguments were cogent, and the representation of their client was zealous.”

“Robbins Geller . . . [is] capable of adequately representing the class, both based on their prior experience in class action lawsuits and based on their capable advocacy on behalf of the class in this action.”

“[Robbins Geller and co-counsel] . . . conducted the [l]itigation . . . with skill, perseverance, and diligent advocacy.”

“[Robbins Geller and co-counsel] have also demonstrated the utmost professionalism despite the demands of the extreme perseverance that this case has required, litigating on behalf of a class of over 12 million for over fourteen years, across a changing legal landscape, significant motion practice, and appeal and remand. Class counsel’s pedigree and efforts alone speak to the quality of their representation.”

“[Robbins Geller] achieved the [$108 million] [s]ettlement with skill, perseverance, and diligent advocacy . . . . I think the case was fully and appropriately litigated . . . [and] you-all did a very good job. . . . [T]hank you for your service in the court. . . . [You’re] first-class lawyers . . . .”

“[Robbins Geller’s] skill and quality of work was extraordinary . . . . I’ll note from the top that this has been an aggressively litigated action.”

Robbins Geller is “highly experienced and skilled” for obtaining a “fair, reasonable, and adequate” settlement in the “interest of the [c]lass [m]embers” after “extensive investigation.”

“[S]ince the inception of this litigation, plaintiffs and their counsel have vigorously prosecuted the claims brought on behalf of the class. . . . When Vice Chancellor Laster appointed lead counsel, he effectively said: Go get a good result. And counsel took that to heart and did it. . . . The proposed settlement was the product of intense litigation and complex mediation. . . . [Robbins Geller has] only built a considerable track record, never burned it, which gave them the credibility necessary to extract the benefits achieved.”

Robbins Geller “achieved an exceptional [s]ettlement with skill, perseverance, and diligent advocacy.”

Robbins Geller “has arduously represented a variety of plaintiffs’ groups in this action[,] . . . [has] extensive antitrust class action litigation experience . . . [and] negotiated what [may be] the largest antitrust settlement in history.”

“[T]his is a pretty extraordinary settlement, recovery on behalf of the members of the class. . . . I’ve been very impressed with the level of lawyering in the case . . . and with the level of briefing . . . and I wanted to express my appreciation for that and for the work that everyone has done here. . . . [I]t’s always a pleasure to work with people who are experienced and who know what they are doing . . . . [Y]our clients were all blessed to have you, [and] not just because of the outcome . . . .”

“[Robbins Geller and lead plaintiff] vigorously prosecuted this action . . . .”

"[Robbins Geller] did an extraordinary job here. . . . [I]t is fair to say [this was] probably the most complicated case I have had since I have been on the bench. . . . I cannot really imagine how complicated it would have been if I didn't have counsel who had done as admirable [a] job in briefing it and arguing as you have done. You have in my view done an extraordinary service to the class. . . . I think you have done an extraordinary job and deserve thanks and commendation for that.”

“[Robbins Geller] performed a very high-quality legal work in the context of a thorny case in which the state of the law has been and is in flux. They achieved an exceptionally significant recovery for the class. And the court agrees . . . that it was, in fact, a spectacular result for the class.”

“The extraordinary amount of recovery . . . is all the more exceptional when viewed in light of the risk [of continued litigation]. . . . Class Counsel’s exceptional decision to provide nearly seven years of legal services to Class Members on a pro bono basis evidences not only a lack of collusion, but also that Class Counsel are in fact representing the best interests of Plaintiffs and the Class Members in this Settlement. Instead of seeking compensation for fees and costs that they would otherwise be entitled to, Class Counsel have acted to allow maximum recovery to Plaintiffs and Class Members. Indeed, that Eligible Class Members may receive recovery of 90% or greater is a testament to Class Counsel’s representation and dedication to act in their clients’ best interest.”

“I kept throwing the case out, and you kept coming back. . . . And it’s both remarkable and noteworthy and a credit to [Robbins Geller] that you did so. . . . [Y]ou persuaded the Sixth Circuit. As we know, that’s no mean feat at all. . . . [The class is] a lot better off than if you hadn’t been as tenacious and as dedicated.”

“It was complicated, it was drawn out, and a lot of work clearly went into this [case] . . . .  I think there is some benefit to the shareholders that are above and beyond money, a benefit to the company above and beyond money that changed hands.”

“Counsel, thank you for your papers.  They were, by the way, extraordinary papers in support of the settlement, and I will particularly note Professor Miller’s declaration in which he details the procedural aspects of the case and then speaks of plaintiffs’ counsel’s success in the Second Circuit essentially changing the law. I will also note what counsel have said, and that is that this case illustrates the proper functioning of the statute. . . . Counsel, you can all be proud of what you’ve done for your clients. You’ve done an extraordinarily good job.”

“[You] were gladiators . . . . Looking at the benefit obtained, the effort that you had to put into it, [and] the complexity in this case . . . I appreciate the work that you all have done on this.”

“[Y]our extraordinary efforts [and] . . . excellent lawyering . . . really does signal that the best is yet to come for your clients and for your prodigious labor as professionals. . . . I wish more citizens in our country could have an appreciation of what this [settlement] truly represents.”

“[P]laintiffs’ attorneys were able [to] achieve the big success early” in the case and obtained an “excellent result.” The “extraordinary” settlement was because of “good lawyers . . . doing their good work.”

“Without the quality and the toughness that you have exhibited, our society would not be as good as it is with all its problems. So from me to you is a vote of thanks for devoting yourself to this work and doing it well. . . . You did a really good job. Congratulations.”

“[T]here is no question in my mind that this is a very good result for the class and that the plaintiffs’ counsel fought the case very hard with extensive discovery, a lot of depositions, several rounds of briefing of various legal issues going all the way through class certification.”

“[T]he highly favorable result achieved for the Class . . . [was through] diligent prosecution . . . [and] quality of legal services.”

“The standing and ability of counsel cannot be questioned. . . . The benefits achieved by plaintiffs’ counsel in this case cannot be ignored.”

“[N]o other law firm was willing to serve as lead counsel. Lack of competition not only implies a higher fee but also suggests that most members of the securities bar saw this litigation as too risky for their practices.”

“The representation that [Robbins Geller] provided to the class was significant, both in terms of quality and quantity.”     

“[T]he experience, ability, and reputation of the attorneys . . . is not disputed; it is one of the most successful law firms in securities class actions, if not the preeminent one, in the country.”

“[I]n the face of extraordinary obstacles, the skills, expertise, commitment, and tenacity of [Robbins Geller] in this litigation cannot be overstated. Not to be overlooked are the unparalleled results, . . . which demonstrate counsel’s clearly superlative litigating and negotiating skills.”

“Lead Counsel are to be commended for their zealousness, their diligence, their perseverance, their creativity, the enormous breadth and depth of their investigations and analysis, and their expertise in all areas of securities law on behalf of the proposed class.”

“‘[A] lion’ at the securities bar . . . [Robbins Geller has an] outstanding reputation, experience, and success in securities litigation nationwide.”

“Lead Counsel’s fearsome reputation and successful track record undoubtedly were substantial factors in . . . obtaining these recoveries.”

“[T]his is an extraordinary settlement relative to all the other settlements in cases of this nature and certainly cases of this magnitude. . . . This was an outstanding settlement. . . . [I]n most instances, if you’ve gotten four cents on the dollar, you’ve done well. You’ve gotten twenty cents on the dollar, so that’s been extraordinary.”

“The quality of representation in this case was superb. Lead Counsel, [Robbins Geller], are nationally recognized leaders in complex securities litigation class actions. The quality of the representation is demonstrated by the substantial benefit achieved for the Class and the efficient, effective prosecution and resolution of this action. Lead Counsel defeated a volley of motions to dismiss, thwarting well-formed challenges from prominent and capable attorneys from six different law firms.”

“Lead Counsel are highly skilled attorneys with great experience in prosecuting complex securities action[s], and their professionalism and diligence displayed during [this] litigation substantiates this characterization. The Court notes that Lead Counsel displayed excellent lawyering skills through their consistent preparedness during court proceedings, arguments and the trial, and their well-written and thoroughly researched submissions to the Court. Undoubtedly, the attentive and persistent effort of Lead Counsel was integral in achieving the excellent result for the Class.”

“The services provided by Lead Counsel [Robbins Geller] were efficient and highly successful, resulting in an outstanding recovery for the Class without the substantial expense, risk and delay of continued litigation. Such efficiency and effectiveness supports the requested fee percentage.”

“Cases brought under the federal securities laws are notably difficult and notoriously uncertain. . . . Despite the novelty and difficulty of the issues raised, Lead Plaintiffs’ counsel secured an excellent result for the Class.”

“Based upon Lead Plaintiff’s counsel’s diligent efforts on behalf of the Class, as well as their skill and reputations, Lead Plaintiff’s counsel were able to negotiate a very favorable result for the Class. . . . The ability of [Robbins Geller] to obtain such a favorable partial settlement for the Class in the face of such formidable opposition confirms the superior quality of their representation . . . .”

‘“Few plaintiffs’ law firms could have devoted the kind of time, skill, and financial resources over a five-year period necessary to achieve the pre- and post-Merger benefits obtained for the class here.’ . . . [Robbins Geller is] both skilled and experienced, and used those skills and experience for the benefit of the class.”

“Class Counsel are highly skilled and specialized attorneys who use their substantial experience and expertise to prosecute complex securities class actions. In possibly one of the best known and most prominent recent securities cases, Robbins Geller . . . served as sole lead counsel – In re Enron Corp. Sec. Litig., No. H-01-3624 (S.D. Tex.). See Report at 3. The Court has previously noted that the class would ‘receive high caliber legal representation’ from class counsel, and throughout the course of the litigation the Court has been impressed with the quality of representation on each side.”

“[T]his was an exquisitely well-briefed case; it was also an extremely well-argued case, and we thank counsel for their respective jobs here in the matter.”

“I would finally like to congratulate counsel on their efforts to resolve this case, on excellent work – it was the best interest of the class – and to the exhibition of professionalism. So I do thank you for all your efforts.”

“I want to especially thank counsel for this argument. This is a very complicated case and I think we were assisted no matter how we come out by competent counsel coming well prepared. . . . It was a model of the type of an exercise that we appreciate. Thank you very much for your work . . . you were of service to the court.”

“[W]ell argued . . . and . . . well briefed . . . . I certainly appreciate having good lawyers who put the time in to be prepared . . . .”

“[Robbins Geller attorneys] have gotten very good results for stockholders . . . [and have] such a good track record.”

“[A] commendable job of addressing the relevant issues with great detail and in a comprehensive manner . . . . The court respects [Robbins Geller’s] experience in the field of derivative [litigation].”

“There is no doubt that the law firms involved in this matter represented in my opinion the cream of the crop of class action business law and mergers and acquisition litigators, and from a judicial point of view it was a pleasure working with them.”

“As to the second prong, the Specialist Firms have not challenged, in this motion, the qualifications, experience, or ability of counsel for Lead Plaintiff, [Robbins Geller], to conduct this litigation. Given [Robbins Geller’s] substantial experience in securities class action litigation and the extensive discovery already conducted in this case, this element of adequacy has also been satisfied.”

“Plaintiffs’ lead counsel in this litigation, [Robbins Geller], has demonstrated its considerable expertise in shareholder litigation, diligently advocating the rights of Home Depot shareholders in this Litigation. [Robbins Geller] has acted with substantial skill and professionalism in representing the plaintiffs and the interests of Home Depot and its shareholders in prosecuting this case.”

“First, I thank counsel. As I said repeatedly on both sides, we have been very, very fortunate. We have had fine lawyers on both sides. The issues in the case are significant issues. We are talking about issues dealing with consumer protection and privacy. Something that is increasingly important today in our society. . . . I want you to know I thought long and hard about this. I am absolutely satisfied that the settlement is a fair and reasonable settlement. . . . I thank the lawyers on both sides for the extraordinary effort that has been brought to bear here . . . .”

“I said this once before, and I’ll say it again. I thought the way that your firm handled this case was outstanding. This was not an easy case. It was a complicated case, and every step of the way, I thought they did a very professional job.”