Hanson Bridgett Prevails for Golden Gate Bridge Highway & Transportation District and Bay Area Toll Authority

October 10, 2023 (San Francisco, CA) – On October 5, 2023, a litigation team led by Hanson Bridgett partner Alexandra Atencio secured dismissal of a putative class-action lawsuit on behalf of long-time clients the Golden Gate Bridge Highway & Transportation District (District) and the Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA).

"The dismissal is a testament to the collaboration and resilience that so many of our attorneys put forth throughout the lengthy duration of this case," said Atencio. "We are thrilled about this victory for our clients and I am thankful for the assistance, hard work, and sacrifice from all who contributed to this great win."

The case, dating back to 2017, involves the electronic toll collection system used on Bay Area toll bridges. The plaintiffs filed a putative class action alleging that the agencies collected and used personally identifiable information in violation of state law. The court denied the plaintiffs’ motion for class certification, finding that the claims lacked merit as a matter of law. However, one of the plaintiffs continued to pursue her remaining individual claims. Because the plaintiff lacked a viable legal theory to pursue at trial, the court vacated the October 9 trial date and stated it will issue judgment in the agencies’ favor. This is a decisive victory for the toll agencies after a protracted litigation process that lasted nearly six years.

The Hanson Bridgett team assisting Atencio included associates, David Casarrubias and Thomas Rivera, and law clerk, Jake Zarone.

About Hanson Bridgett

Hanson Bridgett LLP is a full service AmLaw 200 law firm with more than 200 attorneys across California. Creating a diverse workforce by fostering an atmosphere of belonging and intentional support has been a priority at Hanson Bridgett since its founding in 1958. We are dedicated to creating an environment that provides opportunities for people with varied backgrounds, both for attorneys and administrative professionals. As the first law firm recognized as a certified B Corp, we are committed to the communities where our employees live and work and consider it part of our professional obligation to serve justice by encouraging and supporting pro bono and social impact work.