{"id":2648,"date":"2026-01-09T12:35:53","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T16:35:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/?p=2648"},"modified":"2026-01-09T12:35:54","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T16:35:54","slug":"trend-2-courts-certified-classes-at-high-rates-across-nearly-all-substantive-areas-of-class-action-litigation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/2026\/01\/09\/trend-2-courts-certified-classes-at-high-rates-across-nearly-all-substantive-areas-of-class-action-litigation\/","title":{"rendered":"Trend #2 \u2013 Courts Certified Classes At High Rates Across Nearly All Substantive Areas Of Class Action Litigation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/T2-DMCAR-2026.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/T2-DMCAR-2026-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2649\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/T2-DMCAR-2026-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/T2-DMCAR-2026-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/T2-DMCAR-2026-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/T2-DMCAR-2026-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/T2-DMCAR-2026.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>By Gerald L. Maatman, Jr. and Jennifer A. Riley<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Duane Morris Takeaway: <\/strong>Although courts issued a similar number of decisions on motions for class certification in 2025 as compared to 2024, the plaintiffs&#8217; class action bar obtained certification at a higher rate overall across all substantive areas, suggesting that plaintiffs are being more selective in their investments and the cases they pursue through class certification. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Watch Duane Morris partner Jennifer Riley discuss the certification rates in 2025 and what it means for 2026 in the video below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Trend #2 \u2013 Courts Certified Classes At High Rates Across Nearly All Substantive Areas\" width=\"525\" height=\"295\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/6zrL1Apl2Gw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Courts issued a similar number of decisions on motions for class certification in 2025, as compared to 2024, but the plaintiffs\u2019 class action bar obtained certification at a higher rate overall. <a><\/a><a><\/a><a><\/a><a><\/a><a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Across all major areas of class action litigation in 2025, courts issued rulings on 435 motions for class certification. By comparison, in 2024, courts issued rulings on 432 motions for class certification, and, in 2023, court issued rulings on 451 motions for class certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2025, however, courts granted motions for class certification at a higher rate. Courts granted 297 motions for class certification in whole or in part, a rate of approximately 68%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This number is higher than the percentage granted in 2024, where courts granted 272 motions for class certification, for a certification rate of approximately 63%, but on par with plaintiffs\u2019 success rate in 2023. In 2023, courts granted 324 motions for class certification, for a certification rate of approximately 72%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/Picture1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"625\" height=\"351\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/Picture1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2650\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/Picture1.png 625w, https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/Picture1-300x168.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2025, plaintiffs also maintained more consistent certification rates across substantive areas, from a low of 33% in the data breach area, to highs above 70% in the antitrust, wage &amp; hour, and securities fraud areas. Likewise, courts granted more than 90% of the motions for class certification that they adjudicated in 2025 in the E<a><\/a>RISA and WARN areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a><strong>Plaintiffs Certified Classes At High Rates<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a>In 2025, plaintiffs succeeded in certifying class actions at a high rate. Across all major types of class actions, courts issued rulings on 435 motions to grant or to deny class certification in 2025. That number represents a very slight increase from 2024, when courts issued rulings on 432 motions to grant or to deny class certification.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of these, plaintiff succeeded in obtaining or maintaining certification in 297 rulings, for an overall success rate of approximately 68%. Thus, although courts certified fewer classes in 2025, they granted certification at a higher rate as compared to 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2024, plaintiffs succeeded in obtaining or maintaining certification in 272 rulings, an overall success rate of approximately 63%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/Picture2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"354\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/Picture2-1024x354.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2651\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/Picture2-1024x354.png 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/Picture2-300x104.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/Picture2-768x266.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/Picture2.png 1430w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The success rate plaintiffs achieved in 2025 is closer to the rates of certification in 2022 and 2023. In 2023, courts issued rulings on 451 motions to grant or deny class certification, and plaintiffs succeeded in obtaining or maintaining certification in 324 rulings, with an overall success rate of 72%. In 2022, courts issued rulings on 335 motions to grant or to deny class certification, and plaintiffs succeeded in obtaining or maintaining certification in 247 rulings, an overall success rate of nearly 74%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2025, the number of motions that courts considered and the number of rulings they issued varied significantly across substantive areas. <a>The following summarizes the results in each of ten key areas of class action litigation (sorted by plaintiffs\u2019 success rate):<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>WARN Act Class Actions:\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 100% granted (5 of 5 granted \/ 0 of 5 denied)\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ERISA Class Actions:\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 95% granted (18 of 19 granted \/ 1 of 19 denied)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Securities Fraud Class Actions:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 79% granted (26 of 33 granted \/ 7 of 33 denied)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Antitrust Class Actions:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 77% granted (17 of 22 granted \/ 5 of 22 denied)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wage &amp; Hour Class\/ Collective:\u00a0 \u00a0 76% granted (103 of 135 granted \/ 32 of 135 denied)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>RICO Class Actions:\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 75% granted (6 of 8 granted \/ 2 of 8 denied)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Privacy Class Actions:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 67% granted (8 of 12 granted \/ 4 of 12 denied)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consumer Fraud Class Actions:\u00a0\u00a0 66% granted (34 of 51 granted \/ 17 of 51 denied)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>FLSA Decertification:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 62% denied (8 of 13 denied \/ 5 of 13 granted)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Civil Rights Class Actions:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 61% granted (48 of 79 granted \/ 30 of 79 denied)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>TCPA Class Actions:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 53% granted (10 of 19 granted \/ 9 of 19 denied)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Discrimination Class Actions:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 50% granted (10 of 20 granted \/ 10 of 20 denied)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Products Liability Class Actions:\u00a0 38% granted (3 of 8 granted \/ 5 of 8 denied)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>FCRA Class Actions:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 38% granted (3 of 8 granted \/ 5 of 8 denied)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Data Breach Class Actions:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 33% granted (1 of 3 granted \/ 2 of 3 denied)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/Picture3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"625\" height=\"351\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/Picture3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2652\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/Picture3.png 625w, https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/Picture3-300x168.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The plaintiffs\u2019 class action bar obtained high rates of success on motions for class certification across most substantive areas in 2025. Plaintiffs obtained the highest rates of success in class actions asserting violations of the W<a><\/a>ARN Act, the ERISA, and the R<a><\/a>ICO, followed closely by wage &amp; hour and securities fraud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In cases where plaintiffs alleged claims for violation of the W<a><\/a>ARN Act, plaintiffs succeeded in certifying classes in all five of the rulings they obtained during 2025, a success rate of 100%. In 2024, by contrast, plaintiffs prevailed in six of seven rulings, a success rate of 85.7%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In E<a><\/a>RISA class actions, plaintiffs succeeded in obtaining orders granting certification in 18 of the 19 rulings issued during 2025, a success rate of 95%. In cases alleging R<a><\/a>ICO violations, plaintiffs succeeded in obtaining orders certifying classes in 6 of 8 rulings during 2025, a success rate of 75%. In 2024, by contrast, plaintiffs achieved a lower rate of success in both areas. In E<a><\/a>RISA litigation, plaintiffs prevailed on 24 of 36 motions for class certification, for a success rate of 66.6%, and, in cases alleging R<a><\/a>ICO violations, plaintiffs prevailed on only two of six motions for class certification in 2024, a success rate of 33.3%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In wage &amp; hour class and collective actions, plaintiffs succeeded in obtaining orders granting certification in 103 of the 135 rulings issued during 2025, a success rate of 76%. In securities fraud class actions, plaintiffs succeeded in certifying classes in 26 of 33 rulings issued during 2025, a success rate of 79%. These numbers are on par with plaintiffs\u2019 rates of success in 2024. In 2024, plaintiffs succeeded on 124 of 156 motions for certification of wage &amp; hour class and collective actions, a success rate of 79%, and on 19 of 27 motions for class certification in securities fraud matters, a success rate of 70%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As noted above, the overall certification rate was higher in 2025, moving from 63% in 2024 to 68% in 2025, but plaintiffs also fared better across substantive areas. Plaintiff succeeded in certifying classes at a rate greater than 50% across all substantive areas except discrimination (50%), products liability (38%), F<a><\/a>CRA (38%), and data breach (33%). By contrast, in 2024, plaintiffs fell short of that benchmark in data breach (50%), products liability (50%), privacy (45%), civil rights (40%), F<a><\/a>CRA (38%), T<a><\/a>CPA (38%), and R<a><\/a>ICO (33%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Courts Issues More Rulings In FL<\/strong><strong>SA Collective Actions Than In Any Other Area Of Law<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> In 2025, courts condintued to issue more certification rulings in FLSA collective actions than in any other type of complex litigation area. Many courts historically have applied a two-step process in the FLSA context that allows a plaintiff to obtain an order granting \u201cconditional\u201d certification early in the proceeding with a modest showing. This standard allows plaintiffs to increase the size of their cases with comparatively low investment, contributing to the number of filings in this area. In 2025, courts considered more motions for certification in FLSA matters than in any other substantive area. Overall, courts issued 148 rulings. Of these, 135 addressed motions for conditional certification of collective actions, and 13 addressed motions for decertification of conditionally certified collective actions. Of the 135 conditional certification rulings, 103 granted conditional certification, for a success rate of over 76%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/Picture4.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"625\" height=\"351\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/Picture4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2653\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/Picture4.png 625w, https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/Picture4-300x168.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While plaintiffs\u2019 success rate has remained steady over the past few years, the number of rulings has declined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2024, courts issued 171 rulings on motions for certification. Of these, 156 addressed motions for conditional certification of collective actions, and 15 addressed motions for decertification of conditionally certified collective actions. Of the 156 rulings that courts issued on motions for conditional certification, 124 rulings favored plaintiffs, for a success rate of 79.5%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2023, courts issued 183 rulings on motions for certification. Of these, 165 addressed motions for conditional certification of collective actions, and 18 addressed motions for decertification of conditionally certified collective actions. Of the 167 rulings that courts issued on motions for conditional certification, 125 rulings favored plaintiffs, for a success rate of nearly 75%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2022, courts issued 236 rulings on motions for certification. Of these, 219 addressed motions for conditional certification of collective actions, and 18 addressed motions for decertification of conditionally certified collective actions. Of the 219 rulings that courts issued on motions for conditional certification, 180 rulings favored plaintiffs, for a success rate of 82%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The likely reason for this drop is the prevalence of arbitration agreements with class action and collective action waivers. Such arbitration agreements cause a depression in the numbers because: (i) some plaintiffs\u2019 lawyers will bypass the court system altogether and proceed with claims in arbitration; or (ii) for those that file lawsuits, a significant percentage are thrown out of court based on motions to compel arbitration filed by the defendant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/Picture5.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"625\" height=\"351\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/Picture5.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2654\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/Picture5.png 625w, https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/Picture5-300x168.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The decline in the number of rulings on motions for conditional certification from 236 in 2022, to 135 in 2025, represents a decrease of 43%. This phenomenon reflects the impact of the shifting standards by which courts are adjudicating such motions.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Until 2021, courts almost universally applied a two-step process to certification of F<a><\/a>LSA collective actions. At the first stage, courts required a plaintiff to make only a \u201cmodest factual showing\u201d that he or she is similarly situated to others. Plaintiffs often met that burden at the outset of litigation by submitting declarations from themselves and\/or a limited number of potential collective action members, and courts then authorized them to send notice of the lawsuit to potential opt-in plaintiffs. At the second stage, courts conducted a more thorough examination of the evidence to determine whether, with the benefit of discovery, a plaintiff demonstrated that he or she in fact is similarly-situated to others and the court manageably can try the case on a collective basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over the past five years, however, courts have revisited the two-step process and considered whether it comports with the plain language of the F<a><\/a>LSA. Federal appellate courts in three circuits \u2013 the Fifth Circuit, the Sixth Circuit, and the Seventh Circuit \u2013 along with various district courts \u2013 have answered that question in the negative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2021, the Fifth Circuit in <em>S<a><\/a>wales, et al. v. KLLM Transport Services, LLC<\/em>, 985 F.3d 430, 436 (5th Cir. 2021), rejected the two-step approach to evaluating motions for certification of collective actions. The Fifth Circuit held instead that district courts should \u201crigorously scrutinize the realm of \u2018similarly-situated\u2019 workers \u2026 at the outset of the case.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2023, the Sixth Circuit in <em>C<a><\/a>lark v. A&amp;L Homecare &amp; Training Center, LLC<\/em>, 68 F.4th 1003 (6th Cir. 2023), likewise jettisoned the two-step approach but expressly declined to adopt the standard approved by the Fifth Circuit. Instead, the Sixth Circuit introduced a new standard that requires the plaintiff to demonstrate a \u201cstrong likelihood\u201d that other employees are \u201csimilarly-situated\u201d to the plaintiff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2025, the Seventh Circuit in <em>R<a><\/a>ichards v. Eli Lilly &amp; Co.<\/em>, 149 F.4th 901 (7th Cir. 2025), rejected the two-step process but declined to go as far as <em>C<a><\/a>lark<\/em> or <em>S<a><\/a>wales<\/em>. Instead, the Seventh Circuit required the plaintiff to demonstrate a genuine dispute as to whether proposed collective action members are similarly-situated, noting that a defendant \u201cmust be permitted to submit rebuttal evidence\u201d for the court to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although encompassing different standards, <em>S<a><\/a>wales,<\/em> <em>C<a><\/a>lark, and Richards<\/em> require plaintiffs to make a more substantial showing than the first step of the two-step approach entails, thereby requiring more factual development and, as a result, more investment on the part of the plaintiffs\u2019 bar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a result, filings have shifted. Plaintiffs filed fewer wage &amp; hour lawsuits (and hence brought fewer certification motions) in the Fifth and Sixth Circuits over the past two years, as plaintiffs shifted their efforts away from pursuing collective actions in the Fifth and Sixth Circuits. As a result of <em>R<a><\/a>ichards<\/em>, plaintiffs likely will shift their efforts away from pursuing collective actions in the Seventh Circuit over the upcoming year.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a>Indeed, once a hotbed of filings, the number of rulings in the Fifth and Sixth Circuits were muted in 2024 and 2025.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2025, courts in the Fifth Circuit, issued rulings on three motions for conditional certification, and plaintiffs prevailed on all of them, for a success rate of 100% and, in the Sixth Circuit, courts issued rulings on three motions for conditional certification, and plaintiffs prevailed on only one, for a success rate of 33%&nbsp; Similarly in 2024, courts in the Fifth Circuit issued rulings on six motions for conditional certification, and plaintiffs prevailed on five, for a success rate of 83%, and, in the Sixth Circuit, courts issued rulings on ten motions for conditional certification, and plaintiffs prevailed on eight, for a success rate of 80%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While the results continued to be solid for plaintiffs, the investment of time and effort to secure certification has deterred plaintiffs from filing in these circuits. By way of example, in 2022, the last full year before <em>C<a><\/a>lark<\/em>, courts in the Sixth Circuits issued 36 decisions on motions for conditional certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2023, as <em>C<a><\/a>lark<\/em> began to take hold, courts in the Sixth Circuit issued 22 decisions on motions for conditional certification. In 2024, the first full year after <em>C<a><\/a>lark<\/em>, courts issued rulings on ten motions for conditional certification, and, in 2025, courts in the Sixth Circuit issued rulings on only three motions for conditional certification, reflecting a 92% decline in just four years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These numbers may continue to shift and decline as plaintiffs shift their case filings to other circuits that have retained the lenient two-step approach or, as more courts revisit the standards applicable to certification, shift their case filings to other areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/Picture6.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"624\" height=\"351\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/Picture6.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2655\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/Picture6.png 624w, https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/Picture6-300x169.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the decertification stage, courts generally have conducted a closer examination of the evidence and, as a result, defendants historically have enjoyed an equal if not higher rate of success on these second-stage motions as compared to plaintiffs. The results in 2025, however, were less favorable for defendants. Courts issued 13 rulings on motions for decertification. Of these, five favored defendants, for a success rate of 38%, and eight rulings favored plaintiffs, for a success rate of 62%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/Picture7.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"625\" height=\"351\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/Picture7.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2656\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/Picture7.png 625w, https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/01\/Picture7-300x168.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2022, 2023, and 2024, by comparison, courts issued more rulings on motions for decertification. In 2024, courts issued 15 rulings, five of which favored defendants, for a success rate of only 33.3%, and 10 of which favored plaintiffs, for a success rate of 66.6%. In 2023, courts issued 18 rulings on motions for decertification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of these, eight favored defendants, for a success rate of 44.4%, and ten rulings favored plaintiffs, for a success rate of 55.6%. In 2022, courts similarly issued 18 rulings on motions for decertification. Defendants prevailed in nine, for a success rate of 50%, and plaintiffs prevailed in nine, for a success rate of 50%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Implications:<\/strong> The decrease in rulings on motions for decertification likely flows from the decrease in rulings on motions for conditional certification, as well as the decrease in the number of courts applying the traditional two-step certification model. If more courts abandon the traditional two-step certification process, and thereby increase the time and expense required to gain a certification order, the number of decertification rulings likely will continue to decrease.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Gerald L. Maatman, Jr. and Jennifer A. Riley Duane Morris Takeaway: Although courts issued a similar number of decisions on motions for class certification in 2025 as compared to 2024, the plaintiffs&#8217; class action bar obtained certification at a higher rate overall across all substantive areas, suggesting that plaintiffs are being more selective in &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/2026\/01\/09\/trend-2-courts-certified-classes-at-high-rates-across-nearly-all-substantive-areas-of-class-action-litigation\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Trend #2 \u2013 Courts Certified Classes At High Rates Across Nearly All Substantive Areas Of Class Action Litigation&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":575,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[151],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[7,9],"class_list":["post-2648","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-class-action-review-2026"],"authors":[{"term_id":7,"user_id":575,"is_guest":0,"slug":"gmaatman","display_name":"Gerald L. Maatman, Jr.","avatar_url":"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/09\/maatmangerald-100x100.jpg","author_category":"","last_name":"Maatman Jr.","first_name":"Gerald L.","job_title":"","user_url":"https:\/\/www.duanemorris.com\/attorneys\/geraldmaatman.html","description":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.duanemorris.com\/attorneys\/geraldmaatman.html\">Read Gerald's bio.<\/a>"},{"term_id":9,"user_id":576,"is_guest":0,"slug":"jariley","display_name":"Jennifer A. Riley","avatar_url":"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2023\/08\/rileyjennifer-100x100.jpg","author_category":"","last_name":"Riley","first_name":"Jennifer A.","job_title":"","user_url":"https:\/\/www.duanemorris.com\/attorneys\/jenniferriley.html","description":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.duanemorris.com\/attorneys\/jenniferriley.html\">Read Jennifer's bio.<\/a>"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2648","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/575"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2648"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2648\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2648"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2648"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2648"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/classactiondefense\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=2648"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}