David S. Stellings

David S. Stellings represents consumers and small businesses from around the world in complex litigation in federal and state courts. For the last twenty-five years, Mr. Stellings has focused on consumer fraud, financial fraud, and breach of contract cases. Mr. Stellings’ clients and class members have received more than $12 billion as a result of his advocacy. A few of his recent successes are described below.

Mr. Stellings is part of the leadership team in the Volkswagen “Clean Diesel” multidistrict litigation, in which plaintiffs allege that Volkswagen intentionally and systematically cheated its customers, lied to the government, and misled the public about the emissions of its diesel engine vehicles sold under the Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche brands. In October 2016, the Court granted final approval to a settlement relating to 2.0-Liter engines worth approximately $10 billion, and in May 2017 the Court granted final approval to a settlement with VW for 3.0-Liter engines with an estimated value between $1.2 and $4 billion, and a separate settlement with Bosch valued at $327.5 million over its designing of the “defeat device” software in the affected VW vehicle engines.

Mr. Stellings also is on the leadership team in a case against various automakers who allegedly cheated fuel economy tests for certain gasoline-powered vehicles, and as a result, represented to regulators and consumers that the vehicles could obtain better fuel economy than they actually could. The litigation and intensive settlement negotiations resulted in a non-reversionary $96.5 million settlement that provides class members “full compensation”-i.e., 100c on the dollar-for their alleged losses. The settlement received preliminary approval, and the final approval hearing is scheduled for February 2020.

Mr. Stellings is on the leadership team in the Fiat Chrysler “EcoDiesel” multidistrict litigation, in which plaintiffs allege that Fiat Chrysler and Bosch designed and installed cheating emissions software in more than 100,000 vehicles. In May 2019, the Court granted final approval to a settlement that requires Fiat Chrysler to fix the vehicles, and provides class members $307.5 million in cash plus a valuable extended warranty.

Mr. Stellings is a member of the leadership team in the Takata exploding airbag nationwide class action. Plaintiffs in that case allege that more than 40 million class members were damaged when airbag manufacturer Takata and several major automobile manufacturers knowingly exposed them to the risk of being killed or injured by shrapnel from exploding airbags. Certain auto-maker defendants in the case have settled for a total of more than $1.5 billion, and the litigation continues against the remaining defendants.

Mr. Stellings is part of the leadership team in the multidistrict Checking Account Overdraft litigation. The lawsuits charge that banks changed the order of debit card transactions for the purpose of maximizing the number of times they could assess their customers overdraft fees. To date, the Court has approved more than $1 billion in settlements.

Honors and Awards

•“Super Lawyer for New York Metro,” Super Lawyers, 2012-2019
•“Trial Lawyer of the Year Finalist,” Public Justice, 2012
•“Lawdragon Finalist,” Lawdragon, 2009

In the News

•November 9, 2016
David Stellings Discusses Litigating Automobile Class Actions
•July 26, 2012
Lieff Cabraser Attorneys Named As Finalists for Public Justice Trial Lawyer of the Year Award
•November 9, 2011
Court Approves $410 Million Settlement in BofA Overdraft Fees Class Action