First Admitted: 1981, New York

Professional Webpage: https://www.kgglaw.com/attorneys/gary-s-graifman-esq/

Bar/Professional Activity:

Mr. Graifman presented at a Webinar with other counsel in July 2024 on Recent Trends in Class Action Litigation sponsored by the Knowledge Group and discussed, among other topics, recent trend in motions to compel arbitration and recent class action related issues concerning the automobile industry., 2024
On September 1, 2020, Mr. Graifman was a panelist for the Webcast entitled “Class Action and Complex Litigation: Demystifying Trends, Developments and Legal Challenges, 2020
Mr. Graifman was a speaker at the New Jersey Bar Association 2015 Annual Meeting in Atlantic City in May, 2015 speaking on the Class Action Litigation CLE Panel, and, specifically on the subject of Data Breach Class Action Litigation. , 2015

Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):

Served as Co-Lead Class Counsel in the matter Gelis, et al. v. Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellshaft, et al., settled on a nationwide basis in the U.S. District Court of the District of New Jersey, Civ. Action No. 17-cv-7386-SDW-CLW, involving defective timing chain assemblies in certain model BMW vehicles, which was granted final approval on February 16, 2021. Settlement valued at approximately $42.3 million dollars., 2021
Oliver, et al. v. Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, et al., 2:17-cv-12979-CCC-MF (D.N.J.). Mr. Graifman and the Firm served as Co-Lead Counsel on this case which involved defective electric coolant pumps on various BMW model vehicles. The matter settled and Final Approval was granted on March 9, 2021. The class includes approximately 563,227 vehicles. The Settlement is valued at approximately $30 Million., 2021
Mr. Graifman was Co-Lead Counsel in Coffeng v. VWGoA which recently received final approval in the Northern District of California for a nationwide settlement which was estimated to be valued at approximately $34 million and involved allegedly defective water pumps in certain VW and Audi vehicles. The settlement involved reimbursement of past expenses for repair of the component and engine damage if caused directly by the failed water pump and an extended warranty to cover the expense for future failures of the water pump., 2020
In re Volkswagen Timing Chain Products Liability Class Action, 16-cv-2765 (JLL) (D.N.J.). Graifman and the Firm served as Co-Lead Counsel in this products liability class action which was settled on a nationwide basis on behalf of the owners and lessees of approximately 477,000 class vehicles. Final approval was granted to the Settlement on December 14, 2018. The Settlement provided one hundred percent reimbursement for timing chain repairs to class members and was valued at approximately $50 million (inclusive of warranty extension repairs)., 2018

Scholarly Lectures/Writings:

Mr. Graifman has written on various practice topics and has been quoted in articles. The following are samples:Supreme Court Decision in Conception v. AT&T: Another Blow to Consumers, U.S. Politics Today ,May 12, 2011; Link: http://uspolitics.einnews.com/247pr/212419. Quoted in The New York Times, Sunday Edition, in the “The Haggler” Column entitles “How Did This Become A Commitment” by David Segal (regarding McNair v. Synapse News Group CO., Litigation). Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/16/your-money/automatic-magazine-renewal-and -automated-voices.html. Arbitration Clauses and Class Action Bans: Should Defendants Be Careful Of What They Wish For? by Gary S. Graifman, Alan E. Kraus and Joan E. Karn; (N.J. Institute for Continuing Legal Education 2007) Handout Materials for “Hot Topics In Class Actions” seminar for New Jersey ICLE; Negotiating A Commercial Lease-- From the Tenant’s Vantage, Gary S. Graifman, “The Rockland Business Digest,” Vol 1, Issue 5, April 2007; CCA Treated Wood-- An Emerging Toxic Tort? By Gary S. Graifman (American Conference Institute 2003) Handout Materials for “Toxic Tort Litigation, Successful Claims and Litigation Strategy” Seminars Conducted March 2003 by American Conference Institute; Dealing With Infants In The Modeling Industry-- A Primer for Adults, by Gary S. Graifman, “Journal of Art And The Law Journal,” Vol. 8, No. 1, 1983 (Jointly Published by Columbia University School of Law and Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts).

Other Outstanding Achievements:

Mr. Graifman's recent litigation activity includes the following:In re Mercedes Benz Balance Shaft Class Action. Mr. Graifman and the firm are co-lead counsel in this class action. This case involves multiple models of Mercedes vehicles with the M272 and M273 engines from 2005 through 2007 which had a defective balance shaft gear. The matter settled and final approval is pending before Judge Thelton Henderson in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The settlement is valued by plaintiffs’ counsel at approximately $20 million. In re Nissan Radiator Transmission Cooler Class Action. Mr. Graifman and the firm was co-lead counsel. This case involved Xterra, Pathfinder and Frontier vehicles which had a defective transmission cooler in which antifreeze would leak into the transmission fluid and destroy the transmission. Final settlement was approved in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in May 2013. The total value of the settlement was approximately $14 million. In re General Motors Shareholder Derivative Action. Mr. Graifman and the firm are co-lead counsel. The case is a shareholders derivative action concerning the faulty ignition switch defect, pending in the Chancery Court in Delaware. Plaintiffs seek to hold the Board of Directors of General Motors Company accountable for the billion dollar loss, multitude of fines and possible criminal charges against the company. Home Depot Data Breach Class Action. Mr. Graifman and the firm are members of the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee. The case involves suit on behalf of 54 million customers whose personal information was taken in the data breach intrusion that resulted from Home Depot’s negligence and massive security lapses. The matter is pending before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia., 2015
Mr. Graifman presented at a Webinar with other counsel in July 2024 on Recent Trends in Class Action Litigation sponsored by the Knowledge Group and discussed, among other topics, recent trend in motions to compel arbitration and recent class action related issues concerning the automobile industry., 2024

Gary S. Graifman