The first class action case involved a company called Biomed, centered around the early use of titanium in hip implants. At that time, titanium was a new material in the medical field. Initially working on the defense side, the case was tried and won. Later, when transitioning to plaintiff work, an idea was developed with Judge Burridge to bring a bad faith case in a class action setting. This approach was successful, even resulting in a published opinion from the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Currently, Judge Burridge handles numerous cases representing oil and gas royalty owners who have been underpaid or overcharged in their royalty fees.

The team has engaged in several class actions, addressing the common misconception that these cases primarily benefit lawyers while offering little to clients. Contrary to this belief, there has never been a “coupon settlement” in these cases. When clients win or settle, they receive actual monetary compensation. Class actions are inherently complex and lengthy, but they serve an essential purpose.

In the current landscape, some companies exploit the system by cheating many individuals out of relatively small amounts of money, assuming that no one will challenge them because the sums are minor. This kind of systemic cheating, however, affects tens of thousands of people and can result in overall theft amounting to tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars. A class action is the most effective remedy for such situations because it allows one person’s case to resolve the claims of all others who are similarly affected. This legal device has been incorporated into federal and state statutes for a long time, and when used appropriately, it is an invaluable tool. It is often the only way for individuals who have been cheated out of small amounts to recover their losses.