Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner

Class Actions and Mass Torts

Partner - Litigation and Investigations

Meridyth serves as leader of the firm's Insurance Class Action Team and co-leader of the firm's Class Action Team. Meridyth's experience includes representing various commercial entities in complex civil litigation matters, including antitrust and class action suits addressing a variety of allegation and legal theories. Specifically, Meridyth has represented multi-line insurance companies, health insurance companies and product manufacturers in a variety of class and individual actions involving breach of contract and tort claims through various stages of litigation in numerous state and federal jurisdictions, including:

Secured dismissal of various individual lawsuits against multiple Medicare Advantage health plans for negligent credentialing and negligent network management claims based upon Medicare’s preemption of the underlying common law negligence claim. The dismissals were upheld on appeal before the Nevada Supreme Court and resulted in the first published state supreme court decision of its kind. Represented truck rental company in multi-district action alleging price fixing conspiracy.  Obtained dismissal of all claims, a decision which was later affirmed by the 11th Circuit. Represented medical device distributor in litigation and trial relating to claims of fraud, breach of contract, tortious interference, unfair competition and fraudulent conveyance. Obtained directed verdict on several claims, jury verdict on all of client’s claims and also a jury verdict on opposing party’s fraud claim. Represented luxury vehicle manufacturer in class action alleging claims for horizontal and vertical price fixing. Resulting in favorable settlement prior to trial. Defended multi-line insurance company in class action relating to allegations of improper application of an offset provision in the policyholder contracts.  Helped develop cost-minimizing strategy on core legal issue prior to certification which ultimately resulted in resolving client’s potential liability for limited monetary payments. Assisted in drafting an amicus brief to the United States Supreme Court on behalf of large American manufacturer client in the Leegin Creative Leather Products, Inc. v. PSKS, Inc. case. As a result, the Court issued a favorable landmark opinion on the ability to pursue resale price maintenance claims under federal Antitrust law in which the Court favorably cited to the client’s amicus brief. Represented numerous health insurers in defense of individual lawsuits concerning claims for bad faith, negligent credentialing, failure to implement appropriate quality program, and improper implementation of contractual duties to third party self-funded employer plans. Represented prescription drug plans in contract disputes with various pharmaceutical companies regarding appropriate calculation of owed rebates; ultimately resulting in multimillion dollar payments to our client. Represented health insurer in class actions relating to claims for personal injury and medical monitoring relating to treatment at a facility on the health insurer's provider network. Represented multi-line insurer in bad faith litigation which, after targeted discovery and motion practice, ultimately concluded when plaintiff accepted our offer of judgment on the eve of trial which was valued at a fraction of plaintiff’s prior settlement demand. Represented vehicle manufacturer in consolidated multi-state class actions involving consumer fraud, breach of warranty, unjust enrichment and common law fraud claims relating to performance and safety of vehicles.  Certification was ultimately denied and upheld on appeal. Represented insurer in multiple individual and class actions involving a wide variety of claims including bad faith, breach of contract, improper denial of benefits, improper application of offset clauses. Represented various title insurance companies in defending and pursuing actions regarding unfair competition claims relating to recruitment and retention of employees and clients. Provide antitrust advise to various national clients regarding state, federal and international antitrust and competition laws.