In re California Bail Bond Antitrust Litigation

Background

Plaintiffs moved for final approval of class-action settlements with Lexon Insurance Company and Danielson National Insurance Company (DNIC). The order states that the settlements resolve certain claims against each defendant concerning its conduct in the California bail-bond market. Neither Lexon nor DNIC opposed entry of the proposed final-approval order.

Settlement Approval

The court found that the settlements appeared to result from intensive, thorough, serious, informed, and non-collusive negotiations. It also found no obvious deficiencies, no improper preferential treatment for the settlement-class representatives or segments of the class, and that the settlements appeared fair, reasonable, and adequate. The court therefore granted plaintiffs’ motion for final approval.

Settlement Class

Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23, the court approved the proposed settlement class under Rule 23(e)(2), finding that the class and its representatives met the relevant requirements of Rules 23(a) and 23(b)(3). The class consists of all persons who, between February 20, 2004, and April 25, 2024, paid all or part of a commercial bail-bond premium connected with a California state-court criminal proceeding.

The order excludes defendants; their officers, directors, and employees; entities in which a defendant has a controlling interest; certain persons acting for or connected with defendants; persons who acted as bail agents during the class period; the judicial officer presiding over the action and that officer’s immediate family and judicial staff; and jurors assigned to the action.

Appointments and Disposition

The court appointed Shonetta Crain and Kira Monterrey as settlement-class representatives and Lieff, Cabraser, Heimann & Bernstein LLP as settlement-class counsel. It authorized settlement-class counsel and Lexon and DNIC to take necessary and appropriate steps to implement the settlements without further court approval.

The court retained continuing jurisdiction over the proceedings for the benefit of the settlement class. It ordered that all claims brought in the action against Lexon and DNIC be dismissed with prejudice. Judge Jon S. Tigar signed the order on June 6, 2025.