State Farm Successful in Ninth Circuit Appeal

Skadden secured a complete victory for State Farm in a long-running antitrust class action alleging it conspired with three other insurance companies to deceive the public about the quality of non-original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and salvage automobile parts. On January 11, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district judge's denial of class certification, grant of summary judgment as to the named plaintiffs' individual claims, and refusal to allow the plaintiffs to file a further amended complaint that would have changed the theory of the case and prejudiced the defendants.