About Stuart M. Richter

For more than 30 years, Stuart Richter has represented financial services firms and other companies in class actions and other complex commercial litigations. He has served as lead counsel in more than 100 class and mass actions in federal and state courts across the country and has handled many other large complex commercial litigations.

Bringing claims to fast resolution

Class action lawsuits present serious threats to defendants. They raise the prospect of prolonged and draining litigation, not to mention the possibility of substantial awards at trial. Stuart focuses his practice on eliminating those threats. He prides himself on being efficient, cutting short claims that otherwise could lag in the courts for years. Whether he does it by negotiating favorable settlements or getting cases dismissed, he is always looking to avoid expensive discovery and litigation battles.

Stuart has particularly deep experience representing banks, credit unions, debt collection companies and other financial services and related services providers in class action lawsuits and other complex commercial litigations. More than 60 financial institutions have relied on his team in cases across the country challenging checking account overdraft fees and other practices relating to deposit accounts and consumer loans. In addition to class actions, he uses his knowledge of financial services to represent clients in connection with all types of commercial disputes, including complex cases involving derivative products like interest rate swaps, and real estate financing and foreclosure litigation.

Stuart's experience is not limited to the financial services area. He regularly represents clients who sell consumer products and services in class and mass actions. He has represented makers of products ranging from LED light bulbs and high-tech swimsuits to food, drug and cosmetic products in lawsuits alleging fraud, false advertising and unfair competition.

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Practice Focus

  • Consumer products
  • Class and mass actions
  • Claims of fraud, false advertising and unfair competition
  • Foreclosures and other collection proceedings
  • Disputes involving interest rate swaps and other financial derivative products

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Practices
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Education
  • Pepperdine University School of Law, JD, summa cum laude
  • University of Virginia, BS
Bar Admissions
  • California
  • Montana
  • Wyoming
Court Admissions
  • US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • US District Court, Central District of California
  • US District Court, Eastern District of California
  • US District Court, Northern District of California
  • US District Court, Southern District of California
  • US District Court, District of Montana
  • US District Court, District of Wyoming
Recognitions
Recognized or listed in the following:
  • Chambers USA
    Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Litigation), 2021–2025
  • The Legal 500 United States
    Recommended Attorney, 2018–2025
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