Information about Multi-district Litigation (MDL)
Active MDLs in the Northern District
The list below includes all active MDLs in the District. MDLs are managed by the office where the assigned Judge sits. Certain MDLs have been designated as a case of interest and a separate webpage has been created. A link has been provided for those cases where noted. For cases that do not have a webpage, please refer to PACER for case information. Cases not listed have either been closed or stayed. Please contact the MDL clerk if there has been a clerical error and an active case needs to be listed.
| MDL # | CAND Case Number | Title | Webpage/PACER |
| 1917 | 4:07-cv-05944-JST | In re: Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) Antitrust Litigation | PACER |
| 2314 | 5:12-md-02314-EJD | In re: Facebook Internet Tracking Litigation | PACER |
| 2672 | 3:15-md-02672-CRB | In re: Volkswagen “Clean Diesel” | Webpage |
| 2741 | 3:16-md-02741-VC | In re: Roundup Products Liability Litigation | Webpage |
| 2773 | 3:17-md-02773-JSC | In Re: Qualcomm Antitrust Litigation | PACER |
| 2777 | 3:17-md-02777-EMC | In re: Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep EcoDiesel Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation | PACER |
| 2843 | 3:18-md-02843-VC | In re: Facebook, Inc., Consumer Privacy User Profile Litigation | PACER |
| 2913 | 3:19-md-02913-WHO | In re: Juul Labs, Inc. Marketing, Sales Practices & Products Liability Litigation | Webpage |
| 2951 | 4:20-md-02951-HSG | In re: StubHub Refund Litigation | PACER |
| 2985 | 5:21-md-02985-EJD | In re: Apple Inc. App Store Simulated Casino-Style Games Litigation | PACER |
| 2996 | 3:21-md-02996-CRB | In re: McKinsey & Company, Inc., National Prescription Opiate Consultant Litigation | Webpage |
| 3001 | 5:21-md-03001-EJD | In re: Google Play Store Simulated Casino-Style Games Litigation | PACER |
| 3047 | 4:22-md-3047-YGR | In re: Social Media Adolescent Addiction/Personal Injury Products Liability Litigation | PACER |
What is multi-district litigation?
When civil actions involving one or more common questions of fact are pending in different districts, such actions may be transferred to any district for coordinated or consolidated pretrial proceedings via a Motion to Transfer. (See 28 U.S.C. 1407) The Judicial Panel on Multi-district Litigation (JPML) makes the determination on approving the coordination of the cases as an MDL and which district the MDL will be transferred to.
When cases are transferred to the Northern District, the court will create the following case information: (1) individual member cases, which will include all the original transfer case dockets (2) a master MDL number and case title as designated by the JPML. This master MDL docket will be updated to include all party and counsel information, along with orders of the judge, party filings, and hearing and deadline information throughout the life of the MDL.
The presiding judge of the assigned MDL may permit direct filing of cases to our district. This means complaints would be submitted to our court as outlined by the presiding judge and required fees paid. The coordination of these would not be sent by JPML. Check the Judge’s Pretrial Order for clarification on this process. Our District will send communication to the JPML to notify they when direct filed cases are opened in our district.
Misconceptions about MDLs
“Among some common misconceptions about MDLs are that most are “mega-cases” and that they linger in the transferee courts for many years. To be sure, some MDLs meet the “mega-case” definition. And others, for various reasons, do remain in the transferee courts for lengthy periods of times. However, most MDLs do not fit either of these descriptions. Only thirty-seven out of about 300 active MDLs comprise more than 100 constituent actions and only ten have more than 1000. By contrast, about one-half of all open MDLs are comprised of ten or fewer actions. And, while it is true that a handful of open MDLs are quite old, there are not many, the number of their actions and claims is dwindling, and there are valid reasons for their continued existence.”
A View from the Panel: Part of the Solution John G. Heyburn II
Contact information and resource links
| San Francisco | 415-522-2006 |
| Oakland | 510-637-3530 |
| San Jose | 408-535-5363 |
Local rules: CAND JPML
JPML Website: Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to file my document in both the member case and the MDL docket?
Please refer to your Pretrial Order No. 1 for clarification. Filing requirements vary between MDLs and the presiding judge. If there is no Pretrial Order No. 1 on file submit your filing in both cases.
What wave is my case in?
MDL 2471, In re Monsanto: Contact attorneys on the executive team, Aimee Wagstaff, Robin Greenwald, and David Dickson, for more information.
For all other MDLs contact the assigned CRD.
Do I need to submit a Pro Hac Vice Application?
Please refer to your judge’s assigned Pretrial Order No. 1 regarding appearances. Generally, appearances from the transferee district court continue in our district. New counsel appearing on the case will need to submit a Pro Hac Application and pay the fee. The local counsel requirement is waived for MDLs.
I want to stop receiving notices from the court.
If your party has been dismissed from the MDL action, please submit a request that you want to be removed from the court’s notice of electronic filing in both the member case and master MDL.
If you represent multiple parties that are still pending in the MDL action, you will continue to receive notices from the court.
I want to be part of the settlement.
MDL 2913, In re Juul: The settlement announced in September 2022 involving more than 30 states is not part of the MDL in the Northern District of California. Please contact your State’s Attorney General.
MDL 2314, In re Facebook Internet Tracking: The Court issued an order certifying the class and preliminary approval of settlement (Docket 241, 03/31/2022). You will need to submit a claim form through the claim administrator.
All other MDLs contact the assigned CRD.