Lee v. Dynamex, Inc.

Charles Lee filed a putative class action lawsuit on his own behalf and on behalf of all similarly situated drivers for Dynamex, Inc., a parcel delivery company, alleging Dynamex had improperly reclassified the drivers from employees to independent contractors in violation of California law. After first denying Lee’s motion to compel Dynamex to identify and provide contact information for potential putative class members, the trial court denied Lee’s motion for class certification. Because the trial court’s discovery mling directly conflicts with the Supreme Court’s subsequent decision in Pioneer Electronics (USA), Inc. v. Superior Court (2007) 40 Cal.4th 360 [ 53 Cal.Rptr.3d 513 , 150 P.3d 198 ] (Pioneer), as well as our decisions in Belaire-West Landscape, Inc. v. Superior Court (2007) 149 Cal.App.4th 554 [ 57 Cal.Rptr.3d 197 ] and Puerto v. Superior Court (2008) 158 Cal.App.4th 1242 [ 70 Cal.Rptr.3d 701 ] (Puerto), and that mling improperly interfered with Lee’s ability to establish the necessary elements for class certification, we reverse both orders and remand for further proceedings regarding class certification.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Dynamex is a…