Class Actions and Other Multiparty Litigation in a Nutshell.

Class Actions and Other Multiparty Litigation in a Nutshell Robert H. Klonoff West Group 610 Opperman Dr. St. Paul, MN 55164-0526 400 pp., $21

Law students of the last 25 years will recognize the Nutshell series published by West Group---pocket-sized paperback collections of summaries intended to give an overview of one area of the law to provide a framework for more detailed case study. The goal of these publications is to provide a "survey" of the law, a goal that is ably achieved by Robert H. Klonoff in his consideration of class action litigation.

Class Actions and Other Multiparty Litigation in a Nutshell is a well-written summary of federal class action law that provides an organized discussion of class action practice and presents a comprehensive overview of current issues in this type of litigation. Law students, new lawyers, and experienced trial lawyers who do not regularly litigate class cases will find the book a good review of the law in five areas: class certification requirements; practical considerations in litigating a class action case; multidistrict and multiple-class action litigation; recent trends in mass torts, employment law, and securities fraud; and alternatives to class litigation for multiparty cases.

Trial lawyers who are experienced in class cases may also find the book useful in two respects. First, it provides a relatively short refresher course on all aspects of the practice. Second, there are insightful sections, such as those on multijurisdictional practice and constitutional issues, that have nuggets of good information.

Each of the 15 chapters provides a general discussion of the area under consideration and then greater detail. The chapters that extensively reference Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23 are particularly helpful in understanding the mechanics of class action practice. The discussion and analysis of federal class certification requirements are well researched.

The book's consideration of case law interpreting Rule 23 is not as comprehensive. This makes the book of limited utility for understanding judicial differences in interpreting the federal rule. Thus, the book's attempt to summarize the finer intricacies of class action practice falls short.

Even though its lack of case law detail and citations makes it less useful for the experienced practitioner, the book is well organized and written in a direct style that makes it readable. For the law student, new lawyer, or lawyer who wants simply to gain an overview of the law, the lack of detail is a benefit that lets them finish the book in a matter of hours.

Thomas R. Grande is a partner with Davis Levin Livingston Grande in Honolulu, Hawaii.