Legal Commentary

UM Law Gets (Some) Amex Settlement Money

By Professor University of Miami School of Law

UM Anthropology Prof Edward LiPuma was the named plaintiff in a class action suit against Amex for overcharging on foreign payments. When the dust settled, there was a couple of million dollars left over, so the court allowed to money to go to local charities — including some to UM Law!

Daily Business Review: Dozens of charities and the University of Miami School of Law have benefited from the settlement of a class-action lawsuit that challenged overcharging American Express cardholders for overseas purchases.

A multi-state case pursued against the credit-card company in the name of Edward LiPuma, an anthropology professor at the University of Miami, ended in 2005 with a $75 million settlement. About $2 million was designated for so-called cy pres contributions, which are granted in class-action litigation when payments become unfeasible or funds remain after the claims process ends.

Beneficiaries included the law school, Legal Services of Greater Miami and several children’s advocacy groups.

The final contribution of $100,000 was handed out last month to the Lawyers for Children America, a nonprofit that provides bro bono legal representation for children who are the victims of abuse, abandonment and neglect. Another $100,000 was given to the Community Habilitation Center, a special education school in Miami.

Thank you to Ed, his fellow plaintiffs, class counsel, and Judge Altonaga.

Full post as published by Discourse.net on January 21, 2010 (boomark / email).