Welcome to the PARK BAR/BRI Settlement Website

If you purchased a bar review course from BAR/BRI anywhere in the United States from March 15, 2001 through January 4, 2008, this settlement may affect your rights.

If you purchased a bar review course from BAR/BRI anywhere in the United States from March 15, 2001 through January 4, 2008 (the "Class"), you may be affected by a proposed settlement of a class action lawsuit pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York called Anthony S. Park, et al., v. The Thomson Corporation and Thomson Legal and Regulatory, Inc., Case No. 05 Civ. 2931 (WHP). This is to inform you of the nature of Plaintiffs' claims, the Court's preliminary approval of a proposed settlement and your right to participate in this Class ("Class Member").

UPDATE: The Court granted Final Approval to the Settlement on October 22, 2008. However, two groups of objectors have objected to the Settlement and those objections remain pending. Until those objections are disposed of or otherwise resolved, the Settlement cannot become Final, and no settlement proceeds can be distributed. Class Counsel is working diligently to attempt to resolve or otherwise dispose of these objections, and is awaiting a further Court decision on the fate of these objections. Further updates will be posted on the status of the Settlement as circumstances warrant.

What Is This Case About?

IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES
Class Period: March 15, 2001 through
January 4, 2008
Exclusion Requests: Postmarked no later than March 6, 2008
Objections to Settlement: On or before March 6, 2008
(Refer to Section V of the Notice)
Proof of Claim: Postmarked no later than May 15, 2008
Final Settlement Hearing: April 1, 2008 at 11:00 a.m.

Defendants, through the operation of their BAR/BRI division, provide bar review courses throughout the United States, which are aimed at assisting in the preparation for the bar examinations required by the various states and the District of Columbia. In most states and in the District of Columbia, the bar examination consists of the Multistate Bar Examination ("MBE") and a state-specific portion typically developed by each state's Board of Bar Examiners (or equivalent entity). Plaintiff alleges that Defendants violated the federal antitrust laws and the common law of unjust enrichment by, inter alia, illegally tying and/or bundling the purchase of the portions of their BAR/BRI bar examination preparation courses that relate to the MBE, which Plaintiff alleged to be a separate bar examination preparation course, to the purchase from BAR/BRI of the portions of their courses that relate to the state-specific portion of the bar examination. Plaintiff alleges that as a result of this alleged tying or bundling, Defendants thwarted competition and forced consumers to overpay for bar examination preparation courses. Please see the Notice on the links at the right for a full description of Plaintiffs' allegations.

Defendants, The Thomson Corporation and Thomson Legal & Regulatory, Inc., deny Plaintiffs' allegations and contend that their conduct was at all times legal.

Am I Affected By This Settlement?

Class Members are all individuals, law firms, or other Persons who have paid the entire cost of one or more qualifying BAR/BRI bar review courses in the United States during the period March 15, 2001 to January 4, 2008, inclusive (the "Class Period").

Who Represents Me In This Case?

The Court appointed Anthony S. Park as class representative for all claims. The Court appointed The Katriel Law Firm and Murray, Frank & Sailer, LLP as Class Counsel.

How Do I Remain A Class Member?

As a Class Member, you will be bound by all orders and judgments of the Court. Any claims you have against Defendants concerning the allegations summarized in this Notice will be determined by the final resolution of the case. You do not have to pay Class Counsel. If they obtain a recovery from the Defendants, they will ask the Court to order reasonable attorneys' fees and costs to be paid by Defendants or from any funds recovered. If you hire your own attorney, you must pay that attorney. You may also seek the Court's permission to intervene or personally appear in the action. We do ask that you notify the Settlement Administrator at the address listed below of any changes to your address.

How Do I Exclude Myself From The Class?

All exclusion requests are to be postmarked no later than March 6, 2008. If you exclude yourself, you cannot participate in any monetary recovery for the Class, and you will not be bound by any Court orders or judgments. DO NOT submit a claim form.

What If I Have Questions?

You may read the documents at the links on the right, call 1-877-625-9445, or write to Class Counsel at: Roy A. Katriel, Esq., The Katriel Law Firm, 1101 30th Street, NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20007. All Court records may be examined in person and copied at the Clerk's office, United States District Court, Southern District of New York. PLEASE DO NOT PHONE OR CONTACT THE COURT OR BAR/BRI FOR INFORMATION.

 

Contact Information
Class Counsel:

Roy A. Katriel, Esq.
The Katriel Law Firm
1101 30th Street NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20007

Settlement Administrator:

Park BAR/BRI Settlement Administrator
c/o Complete Claim Solutions, LLC
P.O. Box 24788
West Palm Beach, FL 33416

Toll-free: 1-877-625-9445
ParkBarbri@CompleteClaimSolutions.com

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INFORMATION
Notice of Pendency of Class Action, Proposed Settlement, and Final Hearing
(PDF; 4 Pages; 34KB)
Claim Form
(PDF; 3 Pages; 25KB)
Summary Notice
(PDF; 1 Page; 35KB)
FAQs
Stipulation and Settlement Agreement
(PDF; 34 Pages; 115KB)
Preliminary Approval Order
(PDF; 5 Pages; 188KB)

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