TAJE GILL ET AL VS. UBER TECHNOLOGIES, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION ET AL
Case Summary
On June 21, 2022, Taje Gill, Esterphanie St. Juste, and Benjamin Valdez, individually and on behalf of others similarly situated (collectively, “Plaintiffs”), represented by Rafey S. Balabanian of Edelson PC and Rachel Williams Dempsey of Outten & Golden LLP, filed a class action antitrust suit against Uber Technologies, Inc. and Lyft, Inc. (collectively, “Defendants”), seeking injunctive and monetary relief, and declaratory judgment for the alleged violation of antitrust laws. This case was filed in the San Francisco County Superior Court of California with Judge Samuel K. Feng presiding.
In the complaint, the plaintiffs alleged, “In California, Defendants maintain their duopoly and exploit their drivers through persistent violations of California antitrust and consumer protection laws. First, Defendants label their drivers independent contractors, yet deprive those drivers of economic independence by fixing the prices that drivers must charge to customers for rides. This is a form of vertical price fixing that is per se illegal under California’s Cartwright Act. Vertical price fixing harms drivers and customers by allowing Uber and Lyft to increase customer prices even while suppressing driver pay.”
The plaintiffs further alleged that “Uber and Lyft each adopt non-price restraints that are designed to limit competition between Uber and Lyft with respect to driver compensation and working conditions. One of these practices is to keep driver compensation so low when measured on a per-ride basis that drivers have no choice but to participate in game-like compensation packages that offer drivers a premium payment if, for example, they can complete a certain number of trips within a short period of time (such as a weekend).”
The plaintiffs additionally alleged, “These practices are designed to make it harder for Uber and Lyft drivers, nominally independent contractors, to switch between ride-hailing platforms based on which would pay them more.”
The plaintiffs also alleged, “Relying on their insistence that their drivers are independent, Uber and Lyft have avoided paying a broad range of benefits for workers and taxes to the government, including unemployment insurance premiums, minimum wage, and payroll taxes. Of course, if Uber and Lyft conceded that their drivers are employees protected by labor standards, they could exert control of this sort. Firms can set the prices their employees charge customers, and they can dictate when and where their employees work.”
The plaintiffs then alleged, “Uber and Lyft are either employers responsible to their employees under labor standards laws, or they are bound by the laws that prohibit powerful corporations from using their market power to fix prices and engage in other conduct that restrains fair competition to the detriment of both drivers and riders. Therefore, having opted to treat their drivers as third-party independent contractors rather than in-house employees, Uber and Lyft now must lie in the bed they have made.”
The plaintiffs presented six claims for relief including vertical price fixing in violation of the Cartwright Act, unfair competition through maintenance of illegal non-price vertical restraints, secret payments, and unfair competition.
In the prayer for relief, the plaintiffs requested a judgment certifying the case as a class action, injunctive relief, declaratory relief adjudging such practices to be unlawful, unfair, fraudulent, and anticompetitive, and an award granting monetary relief, including restitution, punitive and treble damages together with costs of litigation.
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Case Details
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Case Number:
********
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Filing Date:
06/21/2022
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Case Status:
Not Classified By Court
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Case Type:
Other - Antitrust
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Courthouse :
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County, State:
San Francisco, California
Judge Details
Judges
SAMUEL K. FENG
RICHARD B. ULMER
ANNE-CHRISTINE MASSULLO
ETHAN P. SCHULMAN
Party Details
Appellants and Plaintiffs
GILL, TAJE INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED
ST. JUSTE, ESTERPHANIE INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED
VALDEZ, BENJAMIN INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED
Defendants
LYFT, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION
UBER TECHNOLOGIES, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION
UBER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
LYFT, INC.
Respondents and Defendants
UBER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
LYFT, INC.
Attorney/Law Firm Details
Appellant and Plaintiff Attorneys
SALAHI, YAMAN
SELIGMAN, DAVID H.
BALABANIAN, RAFEY S
DEMPSEY, RACHEL WILLIAMS
Respondent and Defendant Attorneys
DUNN, KAREN L.
HILL, JOSHUA
ISAACSON, WILLIAM A.
OROSZ, JORDAN E.
RAPHAEL, JUSTIN P.
SMITH, KYLE
SPEVACK, ERICA
VAIL, R. ROSE
WU, JEFFREY Y.
Court Documents
ORDER GRANTING COMPLEX DESIGNATION AND FOR SINGLE ASSIGNMENT TO JUDGE ETHAN P. SCHULMAN FOR ALL PURPOSES. CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE SET FOR MAR-02-2023 AT 9:00 AM IN DEPT. 304. MAY-10-2023 CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE IN DEPT. 610 IS OFF CALENDAR. NOTICE SENT BY COURT.
ORDER ON STIPULATION TO MODIFY HEARING SCHEDULE ON MOTIONS TO COMPEL ARBITRATION (TRANSACTION ID: 69857330)
NOTICE OF ERRATA RE OMISSION OF EXHIBIT 1 TO THE DECLARATION OF P. SOLANGE HILFINGER-PARDO IN SUPPORT OF PLAINTIFFS? OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANTS? MOTIONS TO COMPEL ARBITRATION AND STAY PROCEEDINGS (TRANSACTION ID # 69732028) FILED BY PLAINTIFF GILL, TAJE INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED ST. JUSTE, ESTERPHANIE INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED VALDEZ, BENJAMIN INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED
PROOF OF SERVICE BY ELECTRONIC MAIL (TRANSACTION ID # 69702739) FILED BY DEFENDANT LYFT, INC.
REPLY IN SUPPORT OF ITS MOTION TO COMPEL ARBITRATION AND STAY PROCEEDINGS PENDING ARBITRATION (TRANSACTION ID # 69702739) FILED BY DEFENDANT LYFT, INC.
REPLY BRIEF IN SUPPORT OF MOTION TO COMPEL ARBITRATION AND STAY PROCEEDINGS AS TO PLAINTIFFS TAJE GILL, ESTERPHANIE ST. JUSTE, AND BENJAMIN VALDEZ (TRANSACTION ID # 69702697) FILED BY DEFENDANT UBER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
PROOF OF SERVICE BY ELECTRONIC MAIL (TRANSACTION ID # 69322472) FILED BY PLAINTIFF GILL, TAJE INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED ST. JUSTE, ESTERPHANIE INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED VALDEZ, BENJAMIN INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED
DECLARATION OF P SOLANGE HILFINGER-PARDO (TRANSACTION ID # 69322472) FILED BY PLAINTIFF GILL, TAJE INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED ST. JUSTE, ESTERPHANIE INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED VALDEZ, BENJAMIN INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED
DECLARATION OF BENJAMIN VALDEZ (TRANSACTION ID # 69322472) FILED BY PLAINTIFF GILL, TAJE INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED ST. JUSTE, ESTERPHANIE INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED VALDEZ, BENJAMIN INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED
NOTICE OF ENTRY OF DISMISSAL AND PROOF OF SERVICE (TRANSACTION ID # 72510599) FILED BY PLAINTIFF GILL, TAJE INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED ST. JUSTE, ESTERPHANIE INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED VALDEZ, BENJAMIN INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED
REMITTITUR DISMISSED (A168402 DIV 3)
ORDER DISMISSING APPEAL (A168402 DIV 3)
PROOF OF SERVICE RE: DISMISSAL OF ENTIRE ACTION (TRANSACTION ID # 72349917) FILED BY PLAINTIFF GILL, TAJE INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED ST. JUSTE, ESTERPHANIE INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED VALDEZ, BENJAMIN INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED
DISMISSAL OF ENTIRE ACTION OF ALL PARTIES AND ALL CAUSES OF ACTION WITH PREJUDICE PURSUANT TO JUNE 14, 2024 ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT UBER TECHNOLOGIES, INC'S MOTION TO COMPEL ARBITRATION AND STAY PROCEEDINGS AS TO PLAINTIFFS TAJE GILL, ESTERPHANIE ST. JUSTE, AND BENJAMIN VALDEZ (TRANSACTION ID # 72349917)
NOTICE SENT TO ATTORNEY KYLE SMITH TO PAY PRO HAC VICE RENEWAL FEE BY FEB-28-2024
NOTICE SENT TO ATTORNEY KAREN L. DUNN TO PAY PRO HAC VICE RENEWAL FEE BY FEB-28-2024
NOTICE SENT TO ATTORNEY WILLIAM A. ISAACSON TO PAY PRO HAC VICE RENEWAL FEE BY FEB-28-2024
NOTICE SENT TO ATTORNEY ERICA SPEVACK TO PAY PRO HAC VICE RENEWAL FEE BY FEB-28-2024
Docket Entries
HearingMatter(s): PRO HAC VICE RENEWAL FEE STATUS FOR ATTORNEY ERICA SPEVACK; Location: CIVIC CENTER COURTHOUSE ROOM 206; Judge Name: ANNE-CHRISTINE MASSULLO
[-] Read LessHearingMatter(s): PRO HAC VICE RENEWAL FEE STATUS FOR ATTORNEY WILLIAM A. ISAACSON; Location: CIVIC CENTER COURTHOUSE ROOM 206; Judge Name: ANNE-CHRISTINE MASSULLO
[-] Read LessHearingMatter(s): PRO HAC VICE RENEWAL FEE STATUS FOR ATTORNEY KAREN L. DUNN; Location: CIVIC CENTER COURTHOUSE ROOM 206; Judge Name: ANNE-CHRISTINE MASSULLO
[-] Read LessHearingMatter(s): PRO HAC VICE RENEWAL FEE STATUS FOR ATTORNEY KYLE SMITH; Location: CIVIC CENTER COURTHOUSE ROOM 206; Judge Name: ANNE-CHRISTINE MASSULLO
[-] Read LessHearingMatter(s): PRO HAC VICE RENEWAL FEE STATUS FOR ATTORNEY DAVID H. SELIGMAN; Location: CIVIC CENTER COURTHOUSE ROOM 206; Judge Name: ANNE-CHRISTINE MASSULLO
[-] Read LessDocketNOTICE OF ENTRY OF DISMISSAL AND PROOF OF SERVICE (TRANSACTION ID # 72510599) FILED BY PLAINTIFF GILL, TAJE INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED ST. JUSTE, ESTERPHANIE INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED VALDEZ, BENJAMIN INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED
[-] Read LessDocketREMITTITUR DISMISSED (A168402 DIV 3)
DocketORDER DISMISSING APPEAL (A168402 DIV 3)
[-] Read LessDocketPROOF OF SERVICE RE: DISMISSAL OF ENTIRE ACTION (TRANSACTION ID # 72349917) FILED BY PLAINTIFF GILL, TAJE INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED ST. JUSTE, ESTERPHANIE INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED VALDEZ, BENJAMIN INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED
[-] Read LessDocketDISMISSAL OF ENTIRE ACTION OF ALL PARTIES AND ALL CAUSES OF ACTION WITH PREJUDICE PURSUANT TO JUNE 14, 2024 ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT UBER TECHNOLOGIES, INC'S MOTION TO COMPEL ARBITRATION AND STAY PROCEEDINGS AS TO PLAINTIFFS TAJE GILL, ESTERPHANIE ST. JUSTE, AND BENJAMIN VALDEZ (TRANSACTION ID # 72349917)
[-] Read LessDocketNOTICE OF REMOVAL (TRANSACTION ID # 210012585) FILED BY DEFENDANT UBER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
[-] Read LessFinancialPayment: MOTION; Amount: $60; Payment Type: ELECTRONIC; Receipt Number: H2322714M012
[-] Read LessDocketSUMMONS ON COMPLAINT (TRANSACTION ID # 67822251), PROOF OF SERVICE ONLY, FILED BY PLAINTIFF GILL, TAJE INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED ST. JUSTE, ESTERPHANIE INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED VALDEZ, BENJAMIN INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED SERVED JUL-08-2022, PERSONAL SERVICE AS TO DEFENDANT LYFT, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION
[-] Read LessDocketSUMMONS ON COMPLAINT (TRANSACTION ID # 67822174), PROOF OF SERVICE ONLY, FILED BY PLAINTIFF GILL, TAJE INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED ST. JUSTE, ESTERPHANIE INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED VALDEZ, BENJAMIN INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED SERVED JUL-12-2022, PERSONAL SERVICE AS TO DEFENDANT UBER TECHNOLOGIES, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION
[-] Read LessDocketAPPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF COMPLEX LITIGATION DESIGNATION / APPLICATION FOR COMPLEX DESIGNATION (TRANSACTION ID # 67800594) FILED BY PLAINTIFF GILL, TAJE INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED ST. JUSTE, ESTERPHANIE INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED VALDEZ, BENJAMIN INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED; Fee: $60.00
[-] Read LessDocketSUMMONS ISSUED ON COMPLAINT (TRANSACTION ID # 67752430) TO PLAINTIFF GILL, TAJE INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED ST. JUSTE, ESTERPHANIE INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED VALDEZ, BENJAMIN INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED
[-] Read LessDocketCIVIL CASE COVERSHEET FILED (TRANSACTION ID # 67752430) FILED BY PLAINTIFF GILL, TAJE INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED ST. JUSTE, ESTERPHANIE INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED VALDEZ, BENJAMIN INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED CASE DESIGNATED COMPLEX LITIGATION
[-] Read LessFinancialPayment: CIVIL COMPLAINT/PETITION/OTHER FIRST PAPER; Amount: $1435; Payment Type: ELECTRONIC; Receipt Number: C7122622F006
[-] Read LessDocketNOTICE TO PLAINTIFF
DocketANTITRUST/UNFAIR COMPETITION, COMPLAINT (TRANSACTION ID # 67742187) FILED BY PLAINTIFF GILL, TAJE INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED ST. JUSTE, ESTERPHANIE INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED VALDEZ, BENJAMIN INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED AS TO DEFENDANT UBER TECHNOLOGIES, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION LYFT, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION NO SUMMONS ISSUED, JUDICIAL COUNCIL CIVIL CASE COVER SHEET NOT FILED CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR NOV-23-2022 COMPLEX LITIGATION ASSIGNMENT REQUESTED BY FILING PARTIES; FEE INCLUDED IN FILING FEE; Fee: $1435.00
[-] Read LessSearch Court Records
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