California Supreme Court Makes it Easier for Class Action Plaintiffs to Obtain Pre-Certification Access to Contact Information of Potential Class Members

The California Supreme Court's recent opinion in Pioneer Electronics (USA), Inc. v. Superior Court (2007) 40 Cal.4th 360, although rendered in a consumer products liability case, is already resulting in rulings making it easier for plaintiffs in employment class actions to obtain access to prospective class members before a class is certified. Employers should be aware that, unless the lower courts carefully read Pioneer Electronics and apply it within its proper scope, the plaintiffs' bar will have effectively unhindered access to the names and addresses of your employees.