Stephen A. D’Aunoy has focused his career almost exclusively on defending class actions and multidistrict litigations. For nearly two decades, Mr. D’Aunoy has developed and implemented successful defense strategies in hundreds of class actions throughout the United States. Mr. D’Aunoy is also regularly asked to consult on class action strategies in foreign jurisdictions. His extensive experience has resulted in Mr. D’Aunoy being regularly sought out for advice on business strategies to avoid or minimize the risks of class action litigation.
Experience
- Mr. D’Aunoy has a proven track record of successfully defending class actions representing billions of dollars of potential exposure in jurisdictions throughout the country. During his career, he has represented large domestic and foreign companies in class actions filed in 23 different states.
- Mr. D’Aunoy has a particular focus on automotive class actions, regularly defending companies in class actions involving alleged violations of state and federal consumer protection laws, false advertising, unfair trade practices, fraud, and breaches of warranty. While automotive class actions have been his focus, Mr. D’Aunoy has defended class actions for clients from a wide range of other industries in cases involving environmental issues, shareholders rights, TCPA violations, easement disputes, and tax issues.
- In addition to class actions, Mr. D’Aunoy has represented clients in complex business and commercial litigation including cases involving fiduciary duty claims and contract disputes.
Recently Reported Class Action Dispositions
(Since 2020)
- Bledsoe v. FCA US LLC, 2024 WL 445334 (E.D.Mich. 2024). Counsel for defendant automobile manufacturer in putative nationwide vehicle-defect class action. Order granting judgment on the pleadings in client’s favor on preemption grounds.
- Norman v. FCA US LLC, 2023 WL 6388926 (E.D.Mich. 2023). Counsel for defendant automobile manufacturer in putative multi-state vehicle-defect class action. Order granting motion to dismiss with prejudice.
- Ward-Richardson v. FCA US LLC, 2023 WL 5767481 (N.D.Ga. 2023). Counsel for defendant automobile manufacturer in putative multi-state vehicle-defect class action. Order granting motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.
- Hunter v. FCA US LLC, 2023 WL 4828013 (N.D.Cal. 2023). Counsel for defendant automobile manufacturer in putative vehicle-defect class action. Order granting motion to dismiss.
- Victorino v. FCA US LLC, 2023 WL 3296155 (S.D.Cal. 2023). Counsel for defendant automobile manufacturer in putative nationwide vehicle-defect class action. Order granting approval of California-only class settlement.
- Johnson v. FCA US LLC, 2023 WL 2577228 (E.D.Mich. 2023). Counsel for defendant automobile manufacturer in putative nationwide vehicle-defect class action. Order granting motion to dismiss for lack of standing.
- Wood v. FCA US LLC, 2022 WL 17361963 (E.D.Mich. 2022). Counsel for defendant automobile manufacturer in putative nationwide vehicle-defect class action. Order granting approval of nationwide class settlement.
- Kheel v. FCA US LLC, 2022 WL 18638818 (C.D.Cal. 2022). Counsel for defendant automobile manufacturer in putative class action asserting claims based on service contract cancellation. Order granting motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.
- Sharp v. FCA US LLC, 637 F. Supp. 3d 454 (E.D.Mich. 2022). Counsel for defendant automobile manufacturer in putative nationwide vehicle-defect class action. Order granting motion to dismiss based on prudential mootness.
- Flynn v. FCA US LLC, 39 F.4th 946 (7th Cir. 2022). Counsel for defendant automobile manufacturer in certified vehicle-defect class action. Opinion affirming dismissal based on lack of subject-matter jurisdiction.
- Marksberry v. FCA US LLC, 606 F. Supp. 3d 1075 (D.Kan. 2022). Counsel for defendant automobile manufacturer in putative class action asserting claims based on breach of warranty and false representations. Order granting summary judgment.
- Garlough v. FCA US LLC, 2021 WL 4033177 (E.D.Cal. 2021). Counsel for defendant automobile manufacturer in putative vehicle-defect class action. Order granting motion to dismiss.
- Garcia v. FCA US LLC, 2021 WL 7709961 (S.D.Fla. 2021). Counsel for defendant automobile manufacturer in putative nationwide TCPA class action. Order granting motion to dismiss for lack of standing.
- Grigorian v. FCA US LLC, 838 F. App’x 390 (11th Cir. 2020). Counsel for defendant automobile manufacturer in putative nationwide TCPA class action. Opinion affirming dismissal for lack of standing.
- Flores v. FCA US LLC, 2020 WL 7024850 (E.D.Mich. 2020). Counsel for defendant automobile manufacturer in putative nationwide TCPA class action. Order granting motion to dismiss based on mootness.
- Tomassini v. FCA US LLC, 2020 WL 1938834 (N.D.N.Y. 2020). Counsel for defendant automobile manufacturer in putative vehicle-defect class action. Order granting motion for sanctions and summary judgment.
- Shamamyan v. FCA US LLC, 2020 WL 3643481 (C.D.Cal. 2020). Counsel for defendant automobile manufacturer in putative vehicle-defect class action. Order granting motion to dismiss.
- LaRoe v. FCA US LLC, 2020 WL 1043564 (D.Kan. 2020). Counsel for defendant automobile manufacturer in putative nationwide vehicle-defect class action. Order granting motion to dismiss.
- Gerritsen v. FCA US LLC, 2020 WL 3841304 (C.D.Cal. 2020). Counsel for defendant automobile manufacturer in putative nationwide vehicle-defect class action. Order granting motion to dismiss.