Class actions are governed by Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, which sets strict requirements for their progression.
One of the most important requirements is the appointment of class counsel: the lawyer(s) or law firm(s) responsible for representing the interests of the entire class.
While courts must approve class counsel, someone still has to choose the lawyer who files the case.
If you’re in a position to make that choice, here’s how to find a lawyer for a class action lawsuit—and how to make sure you’re choosing one who can actually protect your interests.
Key takeaways
- Check whether a class action already exists before calling lawyers
Many issues that affect large groups already have a lawsuit or settlement in progress. Confirming this first can save time, prevent duplicate claims, and help you understand whether you even need legal help. - Most people involved in class actions don’t need their own lawyer
You generally only need a lawyer if you are starting a case, opting out so that you can sue individually, objecting to a settlement, or dealing with unusually high damages or a denied claim. - If you do need a lawyer, specialization matters more than general experience
Class actions are highly technical, and not all class action lawyers can handle the same types of cases. The right fit depends on both class action expertise and experience with your specific kind of claim. - Past results matter more than titles or years in practice
Filing class actions is easy, but successfully moving them to certification and meaningful settlements is much harder. Reviewing a lawyer’s actual case history and leadership roles gives a clearer picture of what they can do for you. - When a lawyer isn’t required, Settlemate is the simplest way to get paid
If you just want to find eligible settlements, file claims, and track deadlines, Settlemate handles all of that without legal paperwork or attorney fees. It automatically finds settlements you qualify for, submits claims, and keeps you updated so you don’t leave money on the table.
How to find a lawyer for a class action lawsuit: 7 key steps
All lawsuits require competent legal representation. However, this is especially important in class actions, as one lawyer’s strategy can determine whether the case is certified, how it’s litigated, and whether the class members will recover anything at all.
These seven steps outline how to find a lawyer for a class action lawsuit and avoid preventable mistakes early on.
Step 1: Confirm whether a class action already exists
By definition, class actions involve more than one person—sometimes hundreds, sometimes millions.
So, when a defective product causes injuries, a company charges hidden fees, or a data breach exposes personal information at scale, someone might have already taken action.
That’s why your first move shouldn’t be calling lawyers but checking whether a class action is already underway.
You can do this by reviewing:
- Official court notices
- Settlement administrator websites
- Reputable legal news outlets
This step matters because it can save you time, prevent duplicate or overlapping claims, and clarify whether you even need a lawyer.
Pro tip:
While you can’t file a class action without a lawyer, you can join the lawsuit without hiring one yourself.
The most convenient way to do so is by using a tool like Settlemate, which can complete, sign, and submit your claim forms directly in the app with minimal effort.
Settlemate can also help you find out whether a class action already exists by matching your purchases and receipts to open settlements and alerting you when new ones apply to you.
Step 2: Decide whether you need a lawyer at all
If your search in Step 1 shows no existing class action, you may be in a position to start one. In that case, you’ll need a lawyer to file the case and seek appointment as class counsel.
However, even if a class action is underway, there are still a few specific situations where hiring your own lawyer makes sense:
Step 3: Look for lawyers who focus on class actions
At this stage, your goal is simple—find lawyers who actually handle class actions themselves.
This is crucial because some lawyers advertise class actions but don’t actually litigate them. Instead, they refer cases out and collect a fee.
To avoid wasting time, look for lawyers and law firms that:
- Focus on class actions or mass torts as a core practice
- Regularly serve as lead or co-lead counsel, not just local or referral counsel
- Show clear familiarity with Rule 23, class certification, and settlements
This step matters because class action law is highly procedural and technical. Without a deep working knowledge of this law, a lawyer can misjudge certification requirements or derail the case before it ever gets started.
In addition to reviewing law firm websites that focus on class actions and represent plaintiffs nationwide, you can also find lawyers with class action expertise through:
- State bar lawyer directories
- Legal publications
- Verdict or settlement databases
Step 4: Narrow your search to the right type of class action
A lawyer who excels at wage-and-hour cases may be the wrong fit for a consumer fraud case, even if they’re excellent class action litigators overall.
That’s why hiring a lawyer with class action expertise isn’t enough. You also want someone who regularly handles your type of class action.
This matters because:
- The paperwork and proof required to certify a class differ by claim type.
- Courts scrutinize causation and damages differently across categories.
- Settlement structures vary widely between different types of claims.
A mismatch between the class action type and your lawyer’s experience can slow the case down or get it dismissed altogether. To avoid this unfortunate scenario, you should:
- Review the firm’s recent filings and settlements in cases like yours
- Look for repeated experience in your category, not one-off examples
- Ask when they last handled a class action similar to yours, and who actually worked the case
Step 5: Review public case history and leadership roles
Class action expertise and experience don’t guarantee positive outcomes. After all, plenty of firms can file class actions, but not all of them can consistently move them from filing to a favorable resolution.
Once you have a short list, look closely at:
- How many prior class actions they filed or led, not just participated in
- Whether the firm has been appointed lead or co-lead counsel
- What the settlement outcomes were, including size and structure
- How much experience they have in federal vs. state courts, depending on where cases were brought
- Whether the firm has received recognition for class action work (e.g., awards and repeat leadership roles)
Step 6: Request a consultation
Most class action lawyers offer free consultations. You can use this opportunity to confirm whether your case makes sense and whether the lawyer is even worth further consideration.
During the consultation, you should clearly explain the issue and how it affects more than one person. A lawyer who understands class actions should be able to tell you whether your case qualifies for a class action right away.
If it does, try to clarify anything you couldn’t confirm during your research and understand how the case would actually be handled, including:
- Who would work on the case day to day
- Whether the firm would seek lead plaintiff status
- How many class actions the firm is currently handling
- What resources the firm has to fund long-running litigation
- How communication and updates would work
Finding out who the lead attorney will be and how hands-on they’ll be throughout the case is crucial because some firms put senior lawyers on the website and junior staff on the work.
Step 7: Compare multiple options before committing
Even if a firm seems promising, avoid making rash decisions. Differences that seem minor at first can matter once a case is underway. That’s why you should speak with more than one lawyer and compare how each firm approaches the case, communicates, and positions itself before committing.
How to choose the right lawyer for a class action lawsuit: 8 factors to consider
Expertise in class actions, relevant experience, and a strong track record are the foundation of good representation. However, those alone don’t always tell you who’s right for your case.
When multiple firms check those boxes, these eight additional factors can help you make the final call:
1. Compatibility with the role and the class
You don’t need a perfect personality match, but your lawyer should align with your expectations and be able to represent the interests of the entire class.
If you’re uncomfortable with their approach, communication style, or priorities early on, that friction usually gets worse over time.
2. Jurisdictional reach and court experience
If you’re part of a class action, the case may not be filed where you live. Class actions often span multiple states and are frequently handled in federal court.
That means the lawyer you choose needs to be able to represent you and the rest of the class, regardless of location.
If they can’t navigate the right court or jurisdiction, your claim—and everyone else’s—can be delayed or dismissed.
3. Absence of conflicts of interest
Your lawyer should have no financial, professional, or personal ties to the defendant or other parties that could compromise representation.
Conflicts like these can limit advocacy, create divided loyalties, or even disqualify counsel later.
4. Resources and capacity to handle large cases
Class actions can be quite expensive and time-consuming.
So, your chosen firm should have the financial strength, staffing, and infrastructure to support a long, complex case. This usually entails:
- Dedicated litigation teams
- Access to expert witnesses and investigators
- The ability to advance significant litigation costs
5. Client-centered approach
Even in large cases, your lawyer should prioritize transparency and clarity, especially if you’re a lead plaintiff.
This includes informing you of:
- What’s happening in the case
- Who is responsible for your file
- How and when you’ll receive updates
6. Communication style and responsiveness
Your lawyer and their team should respond promptly and explain issues in plain language.
Fortunately, this is something you can evaluate early, during initial emails, calls, or consultations. If communication feels slow, unclear, or dismissive at the start, it’s unlikely to improve once the case is underway.
7. Fee structure and transparency
Most class action lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if the case succeeds or settles. However, the exact terms can vary, including what percentage they take, how costs are handled, and when fees are calculated.
So, before agreeing to anything, make sure the fee arrangement is clearly explained and provided in writing.
Transparency helps you understand how a recovery would be divided and avoid surprises later.
8. Reasonableness of fees
Legal fees should reflect the scope and complexity of your case, not just industry norms.
When these fees are excessive or poorly structured, they can reduce recoveries for the class and slow the path to resolution.
Firms that emphasize cost management and efficiency are often better positioned to move cases forward and maximize outcomes for class members.
When a lawyer isn’t necessary, Settlemate is
In the right situations, working with an experienced class action lawyer offers real advantages, including stronger leverage through collective claims, shared costs and reduced financial risk, and access to expert resources.
But here’s the reality: Not every class member needs a lawyer.
If you’re not starting a case, leading one, opting out, or challenging a settlement, hiring an attorney is often unnecessary. In most cases, your role is simply to find eligible settlements, submit claims correctly, and track deadlines.
That’s where Settlemate comes in.
This app is built for everyday class members who want results without legal paperwork or attorney fees.
With Settlemate, you can:
- Automatically find eligible class-action settlements by answering a few simple questions
- Submit, sign, and file claims directly in the app
- Track claim status, deadlines, and payout estimates in real time
- Get notified when new settlements open that match your purchases or profile
- Scan receipts or emails automatically to catch claims you didn’t know existed
If you need professional help, this guide on how to find a lawyer for a class action lawsuit shows you how to choose the right one. If you don’t, Settlemate helps you claim what you’re already owed without overcomplicating the process.
Download Settlemate on the App Store or Google Play and start finding and filing eligible class-action claims in minutes.
